Volkswagen's 2026 electric compact SUV

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【Summary】Volkswagen will launch a compact SUV in 2026, based on the MEB platform, to serve as an alternative to the Volkswagen ID 3. The SUV will be built in Wolfsburg alongside the ID 3, as part of Volkswagen's strategy to maximize efficiency by grouping platform-sharing models together. The company also confirmed that the Trinity flagship EV will be built in Zwickau, Germany, instead of a dedicated factory.

FutureCar Staff Sep 30, 2023 9:18 AM PT

Volkswagen has announced that it plans to introduce a 'high-volume' compact SUV in 2026. This SUV will serve as a rugged alternative to the Volkswagen ID 3 and will be manufactured 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 coincides with Volkswagen revealing 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 specific production hubs. Volkswagen's production boss, Christian Vollmer, explained that this strategy will reduce production complexity and increase plant efficiency.

Alongside the new SUV, Wolfsburg will continue to produce the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, which is set to undergo significant updates in early 2024. The latest version of the Volkswagen Tiguan, unveiled recently, will also be built in Wolfsburg. Additionally, the seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron SUV, a replacement for the Tiguan Allspace, will be manufactured in Wolfsburg starting from 2025.

In today's announcement, Volkswagen confirmed that it does not plan to construct a dedicated factory for its highly anticipated Trinity flagship. Instead, the company will produce this highly autonomous electric vehicle at its existing facility in Zwickau, Germany, where the ID 3 and ID 5 are currently manufactured. This decision was influenced by delays in the Trinity program and the potential availability of space within the existing network due to the anticipated decline in demand for combustion cars.