FAW-Volkswagen’s Chinese brand, Jetta, has launched the M6, its first electric model. With a launch price starting at 79.800 Chinese Yuan (about €10.700), 1.000 yuan below the pre-order price, the electric sedan seems like an instant hit.
VW is in financial turmoil, among other things, because of a sales decline in China, the world’s largest car market. But in addition to VW and Audi, which are imported or built locally by FAW-Volkswagen, the Chinese joint venture also has a China-only brand: Jetta.
More independent course for Jetta
The Jetta used to be a VW model, as in Europe and the US. But in 2019, FAW-Volkswagen established it as a separate brand, launching affordable petrol-Powered cars.
But sales have declined from 162.000 units when the brand was launched, to less than 120.000 in 2025, far below the sales of VW- and Audi-branded cars in the country.
In January 2026, a new business unit was created: FAW Volkswagen Jetta Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. The aim is to serve the Chinese market better, with better-adapted models and technologies, shorter lead times, and the use of local partners.
The first result is the M6, Jetta’s first-ever battery electric car. It measures 4.81 meters in length, and has a sleek, modern look. This is just one example of Volkswagen’s new strategy of developing cars in China for the Chinese market through joint ventures with local companies FAW, SAIC, and Anhui.
The aim is to launch about 30 electrified models in China by the end of 2030, across the group. The electric Jetta M6 is therefore an important step for the brand in China, and it seems to be working out.
Electric Jetta M6 to the rescue
The very affordable base launch price of 79.800 Chinese Yuan (about € 10.700), 1.000 yuan below the originally announced price, is attracting buyers. The company received 10.000 orders with a non-refundable deposit during the first 19 hours after launch.
The Jetta M6 comes in different trims, with the ‘465 Pro’ base model using a 113 kW front motor and a 42.9 kWh LFP battery. It promises 465 km of range, hence the model name. As with all domestic cars, the Jetta uses the Chinese CLTC norm to determine range, which is rather generous compared to the WLTP norm used in Europe.
The mid-range and range-topping ‘555 Max’ and ‘555 Ultra’ use a 145 kW front motor and a 51.9 kWh LFP battery pack, with a range of 555 km (CLTC). Prices for these models start at 89,800 yuan (about € 12,000) and 99,800 yuan (about € 13,350), respectively.
All versions offer a 3.5 kW vehicle-to-load functionality. The stated 30–80% DC charging time is 25 minutes.
A European future for the Jetta M6?
The Jetta M6 is a China-only product, with no direct plans to bring it to Europe. But would it be interesting if it did? A roomy electric sedan would be an interesting addition in Europe.
Even with a WLTP-adjusted range and a price tag that comes closer to that of the affordable electric VW Polo once import duties and taxes are added.
Moreover, there is already a precedent within the group: Cupra sells the Tavascan, built in China by another joint venture, Volkswagen Anhui. And there are rumors that ID. Era models, produced by yet another Chinese Volkswagen-joint venture (SAIC-VW), could come to Europe.
A similar approach, rebranding the M6 to another brand within the European offering of the group, is unlikely. Adapting it to the European market would probably increase the cost too much for the M6 to remain an entry-level model.
But learning from China’s development, production, and parts sourcing could eventually benefit the Volkswagen Group outside China.
