Volkswagenwerk AG acquires two thirds of the subscribed capital of "Chrysler Motors do Brasil Ltda." in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. This company is renamed "Volkswagen Caminhões Ltda." in February 1981 and becomes a manufacturer of larger commercial vehicles.
A trial assembly contract with the "Shanghai Tractor & Automobile Corporation" in 1982 is the start of the Volkswagen Group's commitment to the People's Republic of China. A number of years of negotiation lead to the foundation of the "Shanghai-Volkswagen Automotive Company, Ltd.". On 20 April 1985 VOLKSWAGEN AG holds 50 % of the shares in the Chinese-German joint venture, which, as its capacity increases, develops into the largest and most modern passenger motor car factory in China.
On 6 February 1991, VOLKSWAGEN AG sets up a second operation in China. Arising out of the cooperation with the "First Automobile Works" beginning in 1988, the joint venture "FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Company, Ltd." is created in Changchun, in which VOLKSWAGEN AG holds 40 %. The Volkswagen Group uses this joint venture to strengthen the Group's position in China, so as to assure its market leadership in the long term and to build up a low-cost production facility in Asia.
Cooperation with the "Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo, SA" (SEAT), formalized in September 1982, enables Volkswagenwerk AG to prepare the opening of the Iberian market for Group products. After this cooperation had proven itself, VOLKSWAGEN AG obtains a majority interest in SEAT, S.A. on 8 June 1986, initially with 51 % of the share capital. SEAT becomes the third independent brand within the Volkswagen Group.
The start of production of the second Golf generation in the specially built final assembly Hall 54 ushers in a new era in manufacturing technology with the Volkswagen Group in June 1983. For the first time, a vehicle designed for highly automated assembly is built here with robot support.
