(Yicai) April 28 -- Volkswagen Group has debuted the ID.UX electric vehicle series in China through its local joint venture with Jianghuai Automobile Group, better known as JAC Motors.

Volkswagen Anhui Automotive will launch five ID.UX models by 2027, Stefan Mecha, chief executive of Volkswagen China Passenger Cars Brand, said at the ongoing Beijing Auto Show. The new series will have a gold logo to distinguish itself from VW's ID series.

Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen is speeding up the development of more electric models in response to fierce competition in China's EV market, the world’s largest. New energy vehicles have rapidly taken market share, hitting a 50 percent penetration rate in the first two weeks of this month.

EVs account for only a small share of VW's sales, with the firm still focused on fossil fuel cars, which can offset fluctuations in the EV market, Mecha pointed out. VW will not sacrifice price for EV sales, but set reasonable prices, he said, adding that the ID.UX will benefit the entire company.

The first model, the ID.UNYX, an A-class pure electric sports utility coupe, debuted at the car show and will hit the market in the second half of this year. It was developed by the firm's headquarters in Germany, but Volkswagen China Technology will have a bigger role in the next two models.

To raise the brand's popularity, ID.UX will initially focus on first- and second-tier cities in China with an independent dealer network, Mecha noted. VW expects to develop more B-class cars under the series after releasing the first five models and hike sales, he added.

In regard to export plans, Mecha said he is focused on the Chinese market right now and hopes to cultivate the ID.UX brand in China first.

ID.UX differs from the previous ID series in brand proposition, target consumers, and user experience, noted Yang Fang, CEO of Volkswagen Anhui Digital Sales Services.

Editor: Martin Kadiev