FAW-Volkswagen readies AU336 and flexible China production for 2026

FAW-Volkswagen is gearing up for a major refresh of its Chinese lineup. The company’s Tianjin plant has already started pilot builds of a new model internally coded AU336, with full-scale production slated for 2026.

Chinese media say that between 2026 and 2027 the joint venture will bring several fresh vehicles to the line. Step by step, the factory is turning into a versatile hub capable of assembling gasoline, hybrid, and fully electric cars on a single production line.

The centerpiece is a “oil and electricity on one line” strategy that lets the automaker flex output with demand. In China, where enthusiasm for EVs coexists with steady interest in conventional and hybrid powertrains, that kind of agility is more than a slogan—it determines how closely a brand can track its buyers.

The plant underwent a major upgrade earlier in 2025: capacity for Volkswagen and Audi models was expanded, and the number of vehicles built in a mixed mode rose to seven. With elements of smart manufacturing in place, the line rate reached 65 cars per hour, and the factory passed the one‑million‑vehicle milestone.

Instead of backing a single powertrain, FAW-Volkswagen is betting on flexibility. For today’s Chinese market—where preferences evolve faster than product cycles—that looks like the sensible move.