Volkswagen Strengthens Technical Development Board in China

On January 29, 2024, Volkswagen Group announced that it is strengthening its Technical Development Board function in China as part of its “In China, for China” strategy. Thomas Ulbrich (pictured above), 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 role, Ulbrich, who has already held two management positions for the Group in China, will continue to advance the technological localization of the portfolio.

In his new role, Thomas Ulbrich will also be the CEO of Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) in Hefei in eastern China. The largest Volkswagen Group development center outside Germany is the central development department of Volkswagen Group China, focusing on intelligent, fully connected electric vehicles.

Therefore, VCTC will play a key role in developing specific models for China. Among the things being developed is the first local electric platform that will be the basis for new Volkswagen brand models in China starting in 2026.

VCTC will reduce the time to market for vehicles and components by 30% by implementing efficient development processes and state-of-the-art technology. It plans to leverage synergies by closely interweaving development work with the joint venture companies such as SAIC Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui as well as with Gotion (batteries) and Chinese automaker XPENG. Partners like Horizon Robotics (autonomous driving), ARK (user experience), and ThunderSoft (infotainment) are also expected to work closely with Volkswagen’s software arm, CARIAD.

After going through pioneering stages, the “New Mobility” Board of Management department of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand will be transferred to Technology Development (TE) as planned to ensure efficient structure and stronger networking. Thomas Ulbrich tested and established new software development processes for electric vehicles based on MEB in the “New Mobility” department. The transition of these activities to MQBevo has already taken place as planned, and the mission of the “New Mobility” department has been accomplished, he announced. Besides, 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.