With German automaker Volkswagen missing its electric vehicles sales target in China in 2021, the carmaker’s works council chief Daniela Cavallo has called on the company to get a deeper understanding of the Chinese car market in order to increase its market share in China.

“Volkswagen must get its act together in China and understand customers’ needs better, particularly in software,” said Cavallo in an interview with Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

In 2021, VW sold 70, 625 ID electric vehicles in China, missing its sales target of 80,000 to 100,000 cars; its production was affected by regional COVID-19 outbreaks as well as chip-related issues.

Foreign automakers are struggling to compete with Chinese peers in the Chinese market, with Tesla being the only foreign brand among the top 10 electric vehicle sellers in the country.

“For a German driver, it may not be important to have a karaoke system on the central screen, but many Chinese customers love such features and are disappointed when VW does not offer them,” said Cavallo.

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Tags: automaker, China, Chinese, Chinese car market, COVID-19, customers' needs, Daniela Cavallo, electric vehicles, foreign automakers, German, Germany, ID electric vehicles, market share, production, sales target, software, Tesla, Volkswagen, VW, works council chief