Europe's largest automaker Volkswagen is doubling down on its single largest market, showcasing 13 China-specific models at the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026) under its "In China, for China" strategy to meet evolving customer demands.
Thomas Schaefer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, said that a dedicated team of 3,000 engineers in Hefei City of east China's Anhui Province is now driving the brand’s engineering strategy, fostering a "two-way" learning process between China and Germany that is reshaping the global tech leader's DNA.
"First of all, it's great to be back here. As always, the speed and the dynamics are amazing. What surprised me most was the focus of our local team that we've built up in Anhui [Province], about 3,000 engineers. They are working there, focusing on Chinese demands, connecting with our global team back home in Germany," said Schaefer.
"'All in' means we are totally focused on China. China is our single biggest market in the world. It's a fantastic market for benchmarking speed and technology. It fits very much in our global strategy. We have global DNA and global strategy, as a tech leader, but at the same time, very much focused regionally. Here in China, we have a total focus on customer demands," he said.
Schaefer emphasized the two-way benefits of collaboration between the two countries.
"It's a great collaboration between the teams. The engineering teams on both sides, we learn so much from each other. This brought a lot of new impulses to our teams. You can see the cars here. You can also see the cars in Europe. Both can see Volkswagen coming back together again," he said.
With the theme of "Future of Intelligence," this year's auto show, which opened Friday, is scheduled to run until May 3. A total of 1,451 vehicles, including 181 debut models and 71 concept cars, are being showcased at the ongoing event.
Volkswagen brand CEO emphasizes China’s role as top priority at Auto China 2026
Volkswagen brand CEO emphasizes China’s role as top priority at Auto China 2026
A record number of Americans left the United States last year, with data from the Brookings Institution showing between 210,000 and 405,000 people voluntarily moved overseas, marking the first time in at least half a century that more departed than arrived.
For decades, the U.S. was seen as a place to pursue a better life, often called "The American Dream." But surveys suggest many now see their future elsewhere.
A Gallup poll found about 20 percent of Americans would like to move abroad, while the Association of American Residents Overseas estimates 5.5 million Americans were already living overseas in 2024, a figure that has since grown.
Jen Barnett, an expat planning coach, said that she had always wanted to live abroad. She moved to Merida, Mexico a decade ago.
"I knew that there was life beyond Huffman, Alabama, and I wanted to see what was out there. In 2016 after the [presidential] election, I said, okay, let's do this," she said.
In 2022 she co-founded Expatsi, a company that helps Americans relocate. She says interest has surged since U.S. President Donald Trump was elected to a second term in 2024.
"It is not as simple as one politician. I think it is the realization that the U.S. is not what we thought it was and a feeling that the social contract has been broken," she said.
Mexico remains the most common destination, followed by Canada. Increasingly, expats are also choosing Uruguay, Costa Rica and Panama in Latin America, as well as Germany and Portugal in Europe.
Many cite crime and gun violence at home, while seeking lower living costs and affordable healthcare abroad.
"The amount of money that you need to retire is millions in the U.S. to guarantee that you can have health care, god forbid you need assisted living, which might cost 10,000 or 15,000 U.S. dollars a month. In a place like Portugal, you could have full-time live-in care for 2,000 dollars a month," she said.
Remote work and technology have made relocation easier, though language barriers, cultural differences and bureaucracy remain challenges.
"Most of the challenges that you face are internal. I think people just need to see others doing it," she said.
Many expats hold visas or dual citizenship, but growing numbers are making the move permanent.
Before 2009, only 200 to 400 Americans renounced their citizenship each year. In 2025, that figure was just under 5,000, with a backlog of about 30,000 awaiting appointments to formally give up their U.S. citizenship.
Record number of Americans moving abroad amid rising cost and discontent
