Sino-German joint venture FAW-Volkswagen will step up efforts to introduce new energy vehicles, as the auto industry is shifting towards green and sustainable development.

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are continuing their momentum. Last year, their sales in China went up 10.9 percent year-on-year to 1.37 million units, and around 1.8 million are expected to be sold this year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

"We will strive to make electrification and digitalization as our competence in the future," said FAW-Volkswagen President Pan Zhanfu. The joint venture has started production of plug-in hybrids and electric cars, under both Audi and Volkswagen brands, and more models are to join soon.

Pan made the remarks at the joint venture celebrated its 30th anniversary on Friday in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province.

Established in 1991, FAW-Volkswagen has grown into one of the best-selling passenger vehicle manufacturers in China, with over 22 million vehicles delivered over the past three decades. Last year, it was the only carmaker that sold over 2 million vehicles in China.

"In the context of energy saving and emission reduction, FAW-Volkswagen will further accelerate the production of new energy vehicles," he said.

The carmaker is cutting emissions of its production as well. Last year, its overall CO2 emissions were 36 percent less compared with 2015.

Production of the electric cars on the new MEB platform at its Foshan plant in Guangdong province was powered by green electricity. "FAW-Volkswagen will further pursue the strategy of goTOzero production," said Pan.