China is Volkswagen's second largest market in the world following Germany. Sales of Volkswagen vehicles in China grew 12 percent year on year in 2008. The company says it will prepare for slower growth this year, but is upbeat about its long-term prospects here.

Winfried Vahland said "China market in very important for Volkswagen. It's like a second home market. There's a big chance that in 2009 we will sell more cars (in China) than in Germany. This day will come that China becomes the biggest market for Volkswagen in the world."

Car sales in China surpassed those in the US in January for the first time, making it the world's best performing market in the month. Analysts say while the international auto market looks gloomy as a result of global recession, China may be one of the few havens for international auto makers.

(CCTV February 27, 2009)