Volkswagen's upcoming electric compact SUV for 2026

author: FutureCar Staff    

Volkswagen has announced that it will be introducing a new compact SUV in 2026. This SUV will serve as a rugged alternative to the Volkswagen ID 3 and is expected to be built in Wolfsburg, Germany, alongside the ID 3. It will 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 through 2028. The company is working on allocating upcoming models to its global production hubs, with a focus on maximizing efficiency by grouping platform-sharing models together. Christian Vollmer, Volkswagen's production boss, stated that the company aims to reduce complexity and increase efficiency by producing multiple models on the same vehicle architecture.

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, unveiled earlier this month, will also be manufactured in Wolfsburg. Furthermore, the seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron SUV, replacing the Tiguan Allspace, will be built in Wolfsburg starting from 2025.

Volkswagen has also confirmed that it will not construct a dedicated factory for its highly anticipated Trinity flagship. Instead, the Trinity EV, which boasts high autonomy, will be produced at the Zwickau plant in Germany, where the ID 3 and ID 5 are currently manufactured. This decision was made in light of the delays in the Trinity program and the potential for repurposing existing space within the network due to the anticipated decline in demand for combustion cars.

FutureCar Staff