Volkswagen's 2026 electric compact SUV confirmed

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Volkswagen will launch a compact SUV in 2026, based on the MEB Evo platform. The SUV will be built in Wolfsburg alongside the ID 3 and will serve as a rugged alternative. Volkswagen is streamlining its production operations and will allocate upcoming models to maximize efficiency. The company confirmed that it will not build a dedicated factory for its Trinity flagship, instead opting to produce it in Zwickau.

FutureCar Staff Sep 30, 2023 6:19 AM PT

Volkswagen's 2026 electric compact SUV confirmed

Volkswagen has announced that it will introduce a 'high-volume' compact SUV in 2026. This new SUV will serve as a rugged alternative to the Volkswagen ID 3 and will be built alongside it in Wolfsburg, Germany.

The upcoming compact SUV is expected to be based on an updated version of the VW Group's MEB platform, known as MEB Evo. This confirmation comes as Volkswagen reveals its factory network plans for the next few years.

The company aims to maximize efficiency by grouping platform-sharing models together and allocating upcoming models to its global production hubs. Volkswagen's production boss, Christian Vollmer, explains that this approach will reduce complexity and increase efficiency in their production operations.

In addition to the ID 3 and the new SUV, Wolfsburg will continue to produce the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, which will receive significant updates in early 2024. The latest version of the Volkswagen Tiguan, as well as the seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron SUV, will also be built in Wolfsburg.

Regarding the long-awaited Trinity flagship, Volkswagen has confirmed that it will not build a dedicated factory for it. Instead, the highly autonomous EV will be produced at the Zwickau plant in Germany, where the ID 3 and ID 5 are currently manufactured.

The decision not to build a dedicated factory for the Trinity model was prompted by delays in the program and discussions about the feasibility of utilizing existing space within the network due to the expected decrease in demand for combustion cars.