Gasgoo.com (Shanghai November 22) - Despite a much more hostile Chinese market than in the previous two years, Shanghai Volkswagen has still managed to set a new performance records, with its sales so far this year already exceeding those of 2010's. Shanghai VW has also managed to bring over VW's MQB platform earlier this year, allowing the JV to commence on R&D work on a variety of models. According to JV General Manager Zhang Hailiang, the technology will be used to release a variety of models in the coming years ranging from subcompacts to SUVs.

With news that Shanghai VW will be adding new production lines, Mr. Zhang (pictured below) has affirmed that its Nanjing factory, which supposedly can assemble a car in only a minute, will still continue to operate, auto.163.com reported today. Meanwhile, he added that Shanghai VW's new 9.1 billion yuan ($1.43m) factory in Yizheng, Jiangsu will begin production in 2012. Mr. Zhang has hinted that Shanghai VW will managed an annual production capability of 1.4 million vehicles by 2015.

When asked for his opinions about the JV's performance this year, Mr. Zhang said he was very pleased. On the day the New Passat V6 came to market, Shanghai VW's sales numbers for the year hit 801,588 units, exceeding its total 2010 sales. Among its most successful models, the Tiguan crossover is managing monthly sales of 130,000 units, while over 200,000 Lavidas (pictured above) are constantly sold each month. Sales of the New Polo and Touran SUV have also markedly increased.