Volkswagen will begin offering plug-in hybrid powered vehicles as part of its core lineup next year, a local daily report appearing on 1st Feburary cited a representative from the manufacturer's Chinese technological research center as saying.

The representative made the remark at a VW 'test drive' event for its Golf subcompact held in Sanya, Hainan last week. VW will adapt plug-in hybrids as a core part of its strategy for the Chinese market.

VW first has plans to release its e-up! and the electric version of the Golf in Europe this year. Plug-in hybrid versions of other key models will follow next year. The manufacturer aims for EVs to constitute three percent of its total sales in 2018.

Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, VW board member and head of its R&D operations, mentioned his desire to show off new plug-in hybrid concepts at this year's Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition or a similar large-scale event.