Global auto heads head to China

A number of multinational automobile enterprises' executives will visit China after the country optimized COVID-19 response policy, the Global Times reported on Monday.

Volkswagen CEO and Porsche Chairman Oliver Blume will go to Porsche China headquarters in Shanghai on Jan 31, and then to Volkswagen Group China headquarters in Beijing. The trip is Blume's first to China after he was appointed as Volkswagen CEO.

Currently, the Porsche China has started to apply for Chinese visa for its board members who will participate in the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, or Auto Shanghai 2023, the paper said.

Chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG Ola Kallenius also has plans to visit China, but details have not been disclosed, according the Global Times.

The newspaper citing German auto parts companies said that executives at headquarters plan to attend the Auto Shanghai 2023 to see leading technologies and build close relationships with customers.

Jaguar Land Rover China told the newspaper that its newly-appointed CEO and team put a trip to China on agenda immediately after China optimized COVID-19 response policy.

The global board of directors has repeatedly expressed desire to visit China and experience the world's most dynamic market in past years, the Jaguar Land Rover China told the Global Times.

Moreover, Hyundai Motor China was quoted in the press as saying that the new COVID-19 response policy would make more executives and teams to come to China easier, as well as promote communication between the headquarters and the Chinese market more efficient and the business smoother.