Volkswagen's 2026 electric compact SUV confirmed

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【Summary】Volkswagen will launch a compact SUV in 2026, based on the MEB Evo platform, alongside the ID 3 in Wolfsburg, Germany. The company aims to increase efficiency by grouping platform-sharing models together and reducing the complexity of production operations. The Trinity flagship EV will be built at the Zwickau factory instead of a dedicated new factory. Volkswagen also plans to update the Golf hatchback and build the Tiguan and Tayron SUVs in Wolfsburg.

FutureCar Staff Sep 29, 2023 4:17 PM PT

Volkswagen's 2026 electric compact SUV confirmed

Volkswagen has officially announced that it plans to release a compact SUV in 2026. This SUV will serve as a rugged alternative to the Volkswagen ID 3 and will be built in Wolfsburg, Germany. It is expected to be based on an updated version of the VW Group's MEB platform, known as MEB Evo.

The confirmation of the SUV's launch date comes as Volkswagen reveals its factory network plans through to 2028. The company aims to maximize efficiency by grouping platform-sharing models together in its global production hubs. This strategy will help reduce the complexity of production operations and increase plant efficiency.

Christian Vollmer, Volkswagen's production boss, stated that the company wants to save significant investments in integrating different vehicle architectures. Instead, they aim to produce multiple models on the technical basis of one vehicle architecture, streamlining production processes.

In addition to the ID 3 and the upcoming SUV, Wolfsburg will continue to produce the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, which will undergo significant updates in early 2024. The latest version of the Volkswagen Tiguan, which was recently unveiled, will also be built in Wolfsburg. Furthermore, starting from 2025, the seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron SUV, a replacement for the Tiguan Allspace, will be manufactured in Wolfsburg.

Volkswagen has also confirmed that it will not build a dedicated new factory for its highly anticipated Trinity flagship. Instead, the company will produce this highly autonomous EV at its existing facility in Zwickau, Germany, where the ID 3 and ID 5 are currently being built. This decision was made considering the potential easing of demand for combustion cars, which could free up space for the new model within the existing network.

Overall, Volkswagen's plans for the future include the launch of a compact SUV, the optimization of its factory network, and the production of its Trinity flagship at the Zwickau facility.