Volkswagen’s 11,900 USD Jetta M6 EV is a hit in China, gets 10,000 orders in 19 hours

FAW-Volkswagen’s Jetta M6 EV sedan debuted with a big splash in China, racking up over 10,000 orders in 19 hours after its 22 October launch. Jetta, not to be confused with VW’s sedan, is a budget marque for the Chinese market, and the M6 starts at 79,800 yuan (11,900 USD) in the country.

Big figures

The joint venture (JV) says it took only 19 hours to surpass 10,000 “locked orders”, meaning buyers can’t back out without losing their deposit, usually around 3000 to 5000 yuan (450 to 650 USD).

FAW-Volkswagen also announced a safety pledge for the M6’s assisted driving system. The JV is confident in the sedan’s ADS capabilities, and promises to compensate owners for all ADS-related incidents and collisions within the first year of ownership.

The budget-oriented Jetta brand, named for the VW sedan’s 30+ year run in China, previously offered only combustion-engine models. In an auto market dominated by NEVs, the M6 would make the Jetta brand desirable for cash-strapped buyers who still want an electric-focused car.

More on the M6

The M6 is Jetta’s first EV model, priced from 79,800 to 99,800 yuan (11,900 to 14,900 USD). The bargain-basement entry model gets a 113 kW (152 hp) front motor that, paired with a 42.9 kWh LFP battery, delivers 465 km of CLTC range (~377 km WLTP).

Higher trims feature a more powerful 145 kW (194 hp) front motor, bringing 0-100 km/h times down from 8.3 to 6.8 seconds. A larger 51.9 kWh battery gives 555 km of CLTC range (~450 km WLTP). CALB supplies both pack types, and all trims are limited to FWD only.

Jetta has gone all in on the M6’s tech features, and offers advanced L2 ADS features on the top trim. The marque says it’s powered by Horizon Robotics’ Journey 6M chip, which incorporates the “GAIA 2.0 World Model”, and the sedan can Navigate on Autopilot (NoA) in urban and high-speed scenarios.

One notable feature of the M6 is a built-in fold-flat double bed, with both front seats folding flat to form a long level surface. Most EV sedans in the M6’s price range are used as rideshare cabs in China, and this might appeal to drivers who want to rest during charge sessions.

For reference, the Jetta M6 measures 4,806/1,868/1,500 mm with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. It features front McPherson struts and a rear torsion-bar suspension. The M6 also offers V2L with up to 3.5 kW of power, making it a strong budget option for car campers.