“We will be delivering over 3,000 Phaetons this year in China,” said Peter Thul, head of brand and product communications for Volkswagen based in Germany. Mr Thul made his remark at a test-drive event for the new Phaeton in Sanya on Hainan island in southern China.

Volkswagen sold 14oo Phaetons in China in 2009, making China the largest market for the luxury sedan. The brand new Phaeton, introduced at the Beijing Auto Show, has to make sure another 1600 make it to the Chinese market.

VW will likely hit the 3000-target. The Chinese economy is booming again, it never really slowed down, and customers will especially appreciate the long-wheelbased car. And this time I can check it personally, the TheTycho.com-towers are near VW’s China headquaters.

Phaetons for the Beijing market arrive there first before moving on to dealers around town, they come by boat from Germany via portcity Tianjin. Last time I looked there were 6 new cars on the parking lot, all in a not too flattering brownish color. Likely demonstrators for dealers, but had better been black.