China loves the Volkswagen Lavida

Continuing with cars by major European manufacturers that we won't see here, this is the third generation Volkswagen Lavida, debuting at the Beijing Auto Show, writes Brian Byrne.

Based on the same platform and running gear as the Golf, Jetta and Bora (remember that one?), it's a C segment saloon and VW says it is the segment market leader in China.

Volkswagen sold almost 3.2m vehicles in China last year, making it the most successful auto brand in the country. The company, which in China is a joint venture with Shanghai's SAIC since 1985, also debuts the CC at Beijing, the locally-built version of the European Arteon.

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