Volkswagen is repeatedly criticized because the automaker operates a factory in Xinjiang province. For boss Diess, the human rights violations in the region against the Muslim minority are no reason to question this decision, even after the latest revelations.
Despite the latest revelations about human rights violations against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China, Volkswagen intends to continue operating its plant in Xinjiang province. "I believe that the presence of SAIC Volkswagen will improve the situation for people," said Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess to the "Handelsblatt" with a view to the Saic Volkswagen joint venture there.
"We travel there, make sure, like everywhere else in the world, that our working standards are enforced and that cultural and religious differences are respected." If there were starting points for offenses, massive action would be taken, said Diess. VW is repeatedly criticized because the car manufacturer has been operating a factory in the city of Urumqi together with the Chinese state-owned company Saic since 2013.
The Dax group is said to have recently been denied investment guarantees by the federal government, which means that the company there bears the financial risks itself. The Chinese market is extremely important for the Wolfsburg-based company. You are the industry leader there. Despite the recent corona lockdowns and the economic slowdown in China, Diess is confident that the People's Republic will remain the engine of growth.
"Although China is already the largest car market in the world, relatively few vehicles are sold in relation to the population. In terms of stock, China has 250 to 300 cars per 1000 inhabitants. In Germany we are around 600, in the USA it is even around 800. These figures alone make it clear that China will remain by far the largest growth market," said Diess.
