New Volkswagen Electric SUV and Golf EV Launch

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Volkswagen brand is preparing for the future of electric mobility by making changes to its network. On Friday, Volkswagen announced that it will be producing a new electric SUV at its main plant in Germany. Additionally, an electric version of the iconic Golf will be developed on the new SSP platform.

Christian Vollmer, VW brand board member for production, stated that the transition to electromobility presents an opportunity to simplify production operations and increase plant efficiency.

Volkswagen recently held a meeting to discuss its vehicle distribution plans through 2028. During the meeting, it was announced that the main plant in Wolfsburg will introduce a second all-electric model, alongside the ID.3.

The company will begin producing a new compact electric SUV in large quantities. Although specific details about the new EV are not yet available, Volkswagen previously introduced the affordable ID 2all electric hatch concept, which has a starting price under $27,000 (€25,000) and a WLTP range of approximately 450 km (280 miles).

The ID 2all will be one of the 10 new Volkswagen EV models that are set to launch by 2026. This year, Volkswagen has already released the new ID.3, the three-row ID.Buzz, and the flagship ID.7 sedan.

In 2026, Volkswagen plans to introduce a compact electric SUV that is similar in size and style to the popular Tiguan. This new electric SUV, possibly named the ID.Tiguan, will be produced at the Wolfsburg plant.

During the meeting, Volkswagen also revealed that it has decided against building an additional plant in Wolfsburg. Instead, new electric models based on the scalable systems platform (SSP) architecture will be manufactured at the main plant.

The iconic Volkswagen Golf will transition into the electric era on the SSP platform at the Wolfsburg plant. The electric Golf is expected to launch at the end of the decade.

As a result of these changes, the Trinity vehicle project, which has faced delays due to software issues, will be moved to Volkswagen's Zwickau plant.

Reports have indicated that Volkswagen is reducing production at two German plants, including Zwickau, due to lower demand. The Zwickau plant will shut down one of its two ID.3 production lines and lay off nearly 300 temporary workers.

Volkswagen is feeling the urgency to adapt to the changing market. Thomas Schafer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, acknowledged the complex challenges faced by the industry during the transformation to electromobility.

Schafer aims for the VW brand to achieve a record profitability of 6.5%, as it currently stands at around 3.6%. Competitors such as Tesla and China's BYD are making significant advancements in the electric vehicle market, with BYD surpassing VW as the best-selling passenger car brand in China this year and planning to expand its brand in Europe.

FutureCar Staff