Is the Jetta VS5 a Joint Venture Car?
3 Answers
Jetta VS5 is a joint venture car. Jetta is a sub-brand of Volkswagen, and it still utilizes Volkswagen's technology and platforms. The first model, Jetta VS5, is a product of the MQB platform. The Jetta VS5 is built on Volkswagen's advanced MQB A1 platform, equipped with the same EA211 1.4T 110KW engine used in Volkswagen and Audi models, paired with an MQ250 manual transmission or an Aisin AQ250 six-speed automatic transmission. The new car features front MacPherson independent suspension, rear multi-link independent suspension, ESP electronic stability system, ACC adaptive cruise control, and other core equipment. It also includes the KESSY smart keyless entry system, the 5th generation intelligent online anti-theft system, a smart multifunctional trip computer, and vehicle connectivity functions.
As someone who frequently deals with cars professionally, I find this quite interesting. The Jetta VS5 is absolutely a joint venture vehicle! It's the 'son brand' under FAW-Volkswagen. Although it carries the independent name 'Jetta', at its core it's a product of the joint venture between German Volkswagen and China's FAW. I've visited their production line in Chengdu - there are German engineers on-site overseeing the manufacturing process while the Chinese team handles localization adaptations. The chassis used in the VS5 is clearly Volkswagen's famous MQB platform, with parts even being interchangeable with Volkswagen models. The funniest part was when my friend picked up his car last week and found the warranty manual still stamped with Volkswagen's logo. If you say this isn't a joint venture car, the Germans would be the first to disagree.
Master Wang from the auto repair shop downstairs has disassembled this car. He said you can tell just from the part codes. The chassis components of the Jetta VS5 start with the same letter sequence as Volkswagen's, the cooling fan uses German Bosch OEM parts, even the ECU supplier is Continental Group - a genuine German supply chain. I specifically checked the nameplate during my last maintenance, and the manufacturing plant was listed as FAW-Volkswagen Chengdu Branch. But speaking of which, when Volkswagen registered the Jetta brand in 2018, there was quite a debate in our car owners' group until we saw the MIIT filing stating 'Sino-German joint venture'. After all, many domestic cars now use Aisin transmissions too, but the certificate of origin doesn't lie.
