THE Volkswagen Group and its two Chinese joint venture companies yesterday launched a series of new models at Auto Shanghai 2013, with the group reiterating its commitment to innovation and pledge to sustainable development.

The CrossBlue Coup concept SUV, a plug-in diesel-electric hybrid vehicle, made its world premiere at Auto Shanghai 2013.

"This demonstrates Volkswagen's innovative exploration of new means of mobility, as well as sustainability," said Ulrich Hackenberg, a member of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen brand, with responsibility for research and development.

The class B SUV is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world and China is expected to have at least 770,000 such vehicles on its roads by 2020, Hackenberg said after unveiling the new model.

Since 2005, the fuel consumption of the entire Volkswagen fleet in China has dropped 20 percent on average, according to company officials.

By 2015, fuel consumption will be cut by a further 11 percent, Jochem Heizmann, president and CEO of Volkswagen China, said at yesterday's press conference at Auto Shanghai 2013.

Out of a total of 9.8 billion euros (US$12.8 billion) that the group plans to invest in China from this year until 2015, two-thirds will be used for developing ecologically efficient technologies, driving systems, innovative products and other environmentally sustainable production technologies.

Hackenberg added that the company intends to locally produce electrical automobiles and cars like Cross Blue Coup to further consolidate its leading position in the Chinese market.

Heizmann said in an earlier interview with Shanghai Securities News that the company and its Chinese partners will add seven new plants in China.

Its joint venture company, Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co, said it plans to launch at least two new models each year in the coming years.

The Gran Lavida also made its world debut yesterday, and Zhang Hailiang, general manager of Shanghai Volkswagen, said that the Lavida fleet is now more complete, with the new compact sedan providing more choice.

FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co Ltd, meanwhile, introduced the CC V6 and the new Sagitar GLI at the auto show.