Published
09/03/2026 às 15:45
Volkswagen executives indicate that electric vehicles are expected to arrive imported from China, while regional production in Latin America is expected to focus on hybrid models.
A Volkswagen is considering importing electric cars from China to Brazil and other Latin American countries., while preparing a gradual electrification strategy for the region.
The information was released by Motor1 Brazil website in 2026, after interviews with executives during the Volkswagen Road Show held in Peru.
Second Alexander Seitz, chairman of Volkswagen for Latin America, the local manufacturing of Fully electric battery-powered vehicles do not yet have sufficient industrial scale in the region..
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Thus, according to the executive, Electric cars are expected to be imported from markets where there is already high-volume production., mainly from China.
Source: Volkswagen
Industrial challenges hinder local production of electric cars.
The discussion about regional production of electric vehicles gained prominence during the Volkswagen event held in Peru.
During the conversation with journalists, Alexander Seitz explained that Latin America does not yet have the industrial conditions to produce electric cars on a large scale..
According to the executive, Fully electric vehicles rely heavily on batteries., which requires a complex and large-scale industrial chain.
Therefore, as Seitz stated at the event, The region does not yet have the production scale to localize the manufacturing of these vehicles..
During his statement to reporters, the executive was emphatic in commenting on the topic.
“When we talk about a battery-electric vehicle that relies 100% on the battery, nobody has the scale in the region to locate one.”
Furthermore, the chairman of Volkswagen added:
“Anyone who says they have it is lying, they’re just making a fuss.”
Therefore, the automaker understands that The electrification of Latin America should advance gradually., respecting the current limitations of the regional industry.
China assumes a strategic role in Volkswagen’s electrification.
Meanwhile, China appears as one of the pillars of the technological strategy. from Volkswagen to Latin America.
This is because The country concentrates some of the group’s most advanced operations in the development of electrified vehicles and new propulsion technologies..
According to Alexander Seitz, Cooperation with Chinese partners is already part of the company’s strategic planning..
This collaboration mainly involves the development of hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies.
Furthermore, part of this collaborative work includes important technical components, such as:
• electronic systems
• battery modules
• energy management systems
According to the executive, These partnerships should help to scale up and reduce costs.particularly in markets where electrification still faces obstacles.
During the meeting with journalists, Seitz explained that The goal is to achieve economies of scale with hybrid technologies..
“We will work together on hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology to achieve economies of scale.”
Regional production should focus on hybrid models.
Within this strategy, Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles should have part of their production located in Latin America..
Therefore, some technological components may be produced or supplied by China.
Among them are mainly:
• electronic modules
• battery management systems
Meanwhile, The final assembly of the vehicles may take place in factories located within the region itself..
This logic seeks adapting production to the industrial conditions of Latin Americawhile more complex technologies continue to be developed in larger-scale centers.
Electric cars are expected to arrive imported from China.
On the other hand, when the subject involves all electric vehiclesThe strategy will be different.
According to Alexander Seitz, The trend is for these models to arrive ready-made in Latin America., coming from markets with large-scale production.
In this context, China appears to be the main source of these vehicles..
During the Volkswagen event in Peru, the executive summarized the strategy directly.
“This is the type of car we’re going to import.”
Therefore, Volkswagen’s electrification in the region is expected to occur in stages.
First, with locally produced or adapted hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
Then with the gradual arrival of imported fully electric vehicles, mainly from China.
Given this scenario, Volkswagen’s strategy indicates that The transition to electric vehicles in Latin America will be gradual and aligned with regional industrial conditions..
But, in the face of this global electrification strategy, Will Latin America be able to accelerate the adoption of electric cars in the coming years, or will it remain dependent on hybrid vehicles for longer?
