Volkswagen to ensure compliance with China data privacy rules

Tesla cars already have been banned from military sites because of concerns their in-built cameras can collect sensitive data.Automakers are at risk o
...
Volkswagen model ID.4 electric car. (File photo) (REUTERS)
Volkswagen model ID.4 electric car. (File photo)

Volkswagen AG will ensure it is fully compliant with China’s “tough" new rules around data protection, which has ensnared companies from ride-hailing giant Didi Global Inc. to Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Automakers are at risk of being caught up in China’s data-security crackdown because electric and self-driving cars generate a treasure-trove of data including information about popular destinations and the routes taken to get there. Already, Tesla Inc. cars have been banned from military sites because of concerns their in-built cameras can collect sensitive data.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Volkswagen Polo 2024 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon999 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 8 Lakhs
View Details
Volkswagen Tiguan 2025 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon1984 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 37 Lakhs
View Details
Volkswagen Taigun (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1498.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 10.49 - 17.50 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volkswagen Virtus (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon999.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 11.21 - 17.91 Lakh
Compare
View Offers
Volkswagen Tiguan (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1984.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 32.79 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volkswagen Id.7 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon77 kWh Range Icon621 Km
₹ 70 Lakhs
View Details

Also Read : Volkswagen ID.8 to come as an Atlas-sized electric SUV

VW is “closely observing" the new regulations, “which are not only about electric vehicles, but also how we as a company have to deal with data protection for customers," China CEO Stephan Wollenstein, said during a briefing on the automaker’s first-half sales.

The German-based company will adjust its organizational structure to make sure it is “fully compliant" with the regulations, “which are pretty tough," Wollenstein said, without providing further detail.

In highlights from the sales report:

  • VW delivered 1.84 million cars in the six months ended June 30, a 16% increase from a year earlier
  • It held on to the No. 1 spot in the world’s biggest auto market, with an 18% market share
  • It delivered more than 2,900 of its new ID.4 electric sports utility vehicle in June. Tesla, which sold 28,138 locally built EVs last month, last week unveiled a cheaper standard-range Model Y SUV, which will compete head-to-head with VW’s ID range
  • Total sales of the five-model ID range, including one to be released later this year, should reach 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles by the end of the year

The current quarter “remains dynamic and hard to predict," Wollenstein said. Fresh Covid outbreaks across Asia are forcing semiconductor factories to close, exacerbating a shortage of chips that has crunched global automakers.

Also Read : Volkswagen dreams big in EV space; aims to beat Tesla by 2025

“We hope the chip supply crisis will bottom out this summer and expect to see an improvement in this situation within the second half of the year," he said. “However, the global chip shortage will continue into 2022, albeit, hopefully, in a weakened form."

First Published Date: 17 Jul 2021, 17:35 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.