Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen China) and Tongji University in Shanghai have signed a cooperation agreement to support DIAN Racing in the 2014 Formula Student China competition. The event takes place from October 14 to 18 in Xiangyang, Hubei Province. Sven Patuschka, Executive Vice President of Volkswagen Group China, and Professor Chen Hui from the New Energy Vehicle Engineering Center of Tongji University signed the agreement in Shanghai.
Sven Patuschka, Executive Vice President of Volkswagen Group China, and Professor Chen Hui of the New Energy Vehicle Engineering Center at Tongji University sign the cooperation agreement for the DIAN Racing project.
Volkswagen Group China will provide comprehensive support for DIAN Racing’s participation in the 2014 Formula Student China. The team’s current design and manufacturing work is progressing smoothly as they prepare for this electric formula competition.
At the signing ceremony, Sven Patuschka remarked: “Through its student program AutoUni, Volkswagen Group has long been an active supporter of Formula Student events in Germany. We are delighted to extend this support to Chinese university students in the same spirit. This not only offers an international platform for young talents but also strongly promotes the development of the future automotive industry. The participants are exceptionally bright, passionate, and dedicated, striving relentlessly to pursue their dreams.”
The cooperation with Tongji University marks a further expansion of Volkswagen Group’s commitment to supporting the Formula Student China. In 2013, Audi China became the title sponsor of the event for the first time, followed by Škoda as a key partner, and now Volkswagen Group joins as another prestigious brand backing the competition.
As the faculty advisor of DIAN Racing, Professor Chen Hui stated: “In today’s Chinese society, environmental protection is a topic of great concern. Guided by the concepts of environmental sustainability and sustainable development, the team members have poured their hearts into the independent research and development of an electric formula race car. In terms of innovation, passion, and social responsibility, they resonate perfectly with Volkswagen Group.”
“Volkswagen Group boasts a comprehensive product portfolio in developing environmentally friendly and sustainable powertrain systems, covering R&D of powertrain systems, battery systems for hybrids and pure electric vehicles, and powertrain components,” added Sven Patuschka. “At the same time, we work closely with universities such as Tongji University to jointly cultivate young talent and contribute to the sustainable development of China’s automotive industry.”
Formula Student is an international design and manufacturing competition for university students, hailed as the “cradle of automotive engineers.” Formula Student China was launched in 2010 by the China Society of Automotive Engineers and has become a popular innovation event among Chinese automotive students. This year, a total of 80 teams are competing, including 20 electric teams and 60 internal combustion engine teams.
As a global leader in automotive components with a twenty-year deep engagement in China’s automotive industry, Volkswagen Group has always been committed to talent development, research, and education in China. Volkswagen Group China has established long-term, extensive collaborations with universities including Tongji University, Tsinghua University, Jilin University, and Hunan University, covering faculty development, academic exchanges, and joint research in new energy and road safety. This agreement further underscores Volkswagen Group’s responsibility and support for continuous innovation and sustainable development in China’s automotive industry.