Volkswagen Group has strengthened its Technical Development Board in the China region as part of its ‘In China, for China’ strategy. Thomas Ulbrich, a former member of the board of management of the Volkswagen brand for ‘new mobility’, will head up technical development for the group in China from April 1, 2024.
In his new position, succeeding Marcus Hafkemeyer, Ulbrich will serve as the CEO of Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) in Hefei, eastern China. VCTC is focused on the development of intelligent, fully connected electric vehicles, and is set to play a crucial role in crafting specific models for the Chinese market, including the development of the first local electric platform set to underpin new Volkswagen brand models in China starting from 2026.
Efforts at VCTC include the implementation of efficient development processes and reducing the time-to-market for vehicles and components by 30%, according to VW. The company claims that close collaboration with joint-venture companies, such as SAIC Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui, along with partners like Gotion (batteries) and Chinese auto maker Xpeng will further enhance synergies.
Additional partnerships with Horizon Robotics (autonomous driving), ARK (user experience), ThunderSoft (infotainment) and Volkswagen’s software arm, Cariad, will contribute to comprehensive development initiatives.
Following an initial phase, the new mobility board of management department of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand will be transferred to Technical Development (TE) as planned, to ensure efficient structures and stronger networking.
Ulbrich specifically tested and established new software development processes for electric vehicles based on MEB (Modular Electric Drive Kit) in the new mobility department. The transfer of these activities to the MQB (modular transversal toolkit) evo has already been completed, marking the fulfillment of the new mobility division’s objectives. Kai Grünitz, a member of the board of management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for technical development, will manage technical project management for future technologies and development under one roof.
“The Volkswagen Group’s ‘In China, for China’ strategy is about systematically adapting to the dynamic changes taking place in China’s automotive industry. A high degree of localization will allow us to cater to the wishes of our Chinese customers,” said Ralf Brandstätter, member of the board of management of Volkswagen for the China region and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.
“Thomas Ulbrich, one of our top development and software experts, will now continue to advance the localization and networking of our group’s development activities in the region. Ulbrich has exceptional expertise in important future technologies and excellent connections in the company and the China region,” Brandstätter added.
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