Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co., a joint venture between the Volkswagen Group and SAIC Motor Corp., has hired veteran auto industry executive Chen Zhangxian as its new president.

Chen was president of United Automotive Electronic Systems Co., a supplier joint venture between Robert Bosch GmbH and SAIC's China United Electronics Co. subsidiary. His hiring was announced Aug. 28 and he succeeds Zhang Hailiang, who was named vice president of SAIC last month.

Chen, 50, started his automotive career at Shanghai VW in 1988.

He later joined United Automotive Electronic Systems, which makes engine management systems, transmission controls, electronics and other components.

Shanghai Volkswagen, headquartered in Shanghai, sold 1.1 million Volkswagen and Skoda vehicles in the first eight months of this year, up 21 percent.