Last year, FAW-Volkswagen announced its own research and development goals during the 20th anniversary celebration: a complete vehicle development capability during the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period and a phased goal of auto body development in 2012. Recently, An Tiecheng, general manager of FAW-Volkswagen, said that the phased goals have been achieved ahead of schedule, and he has begun to move toward complete vehicle development.

Reporter: For Jetta NF, FAW-Volkswagen has participated in a lot of independent research and development. Will future product introductions adopt this model?

An Tiecheng: FAW-Volkswagen has accumulated R&D investment of nearly 1 billion yuan in the past 5 years. In the past, our development department was called the Product Engineering Department, code-named PE, and it is now called the Technology Development Center, code-named TE. The name change actually means a huge adjustment of functions. The Product Engineering Department pays more attention to localization and brings original vehicles. Carry out localization practice, and match the entire vehicle after localization approval. Today, we have moved from engineering to development. From the conceptual design of products, virtual design, modeling of sludge models, to verification of complete vehicles, a complete series of development has been formed. Technical development personnel have also increased from the original 400 people. 800 people now.

Reporter: FAW-Volkswagen indicated last year that it would develop its own vehicle in 2015. In 2012, it will reach the stage of self-development of the auto body. What is the progress now?

An Tiecheng: Our R&D goal is divided into phases. This year we should realize the development of the car body on a mature chassis platform. It is the development of the interior and exterior of the car body, including the modeling and engineering facilities, and the testing and verification of the components. Match to the vehicle. We achieved this work ahead of schedule. With continuous investment in vehicle development, the capabilities of technical personnel will continue to increase, and research and development will continue to deepen.