The car that opened the door to Volkswagen in China. Initially assembled there before local production began, Santana became a mainstay of Volkswagen’s Shanghai-based range, with regular updates through its long run from the initial pilot build in 1983 to the last of the first generation in 2012. A successor, similar to the MQB saloons at Škoda and SEAT, was launched at the Guangzhou Auto Show in October 2012, a clean break from the traditional Santana, and in line with Volkswagen’s corporate look.

• Volkswagen Santana (B2)
• Volkswagen Santana (NF)

Marque: Volkswagen

q.v. Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Quantum