Volkswagen to export its first Chinese-made car to Mexico

Volkswagen has partnered with Chinese manufacturers in an effort to sell vehicles in the country and will soon receive the first shipment of the Lamando L. This strategy has been in use for years, as seen with companies such as Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge. This time, the German automaker is adopting this approach in an effort to expand its lineup.

The vehicle in question will be a sedan with a coupe-style silhouette and dimensions similar to those of a Jetta. This car was developed in collaboration with the Chinese manufacturer SAIC (the same company behind MG) using technologies and components from the Volkswagen Group. The vehicle uses the same MQB Evo platform as the Golf and Tiguan models and offers two engine options: a 1.4 TSI with 150 hp or a 2.0 TSI with 217 hp.

It is still unknown what engine specifications and trim levels the Lamando L will have in Mexico. Because of this, if the vehicle is offered with the 1.4 TSI engine, it could become a more stylish alternative to the Jetta, while the 2.0 TSI engine would position it as a successor to the Volkswagen CC.

The news had been confirmed by Volkswagen’s WeChat profile (a very popular social media platform in China) in a post announcing the start of Lamando L exports to Mexico, which could be a sign that its launch is imminent.

However, Volkswagen is not the only brand that has received support from China to expand its lineup in Mexico, as the Japanese automaker Nissan is preparing to launch at least three models co-developed with Chinese manufacturers. In addition, Mazda is also considering selling a sedan or SUV in Mexico featuring technology shared with the Chinese automaker Changan.