The rapid expansion of Volkswagen’s new electric ID range will ramp up in 2020 with the launch of two SUV-based models – both of which will be offered exclusively in China.
The country will play a key role in VW’s ambitious goal to sell one million ID-branded electric cars per year by 2023. Stephan Wöllenstein, VW’s China boss, said the country is “the driving force” behind the firm’s electric offensive, which began with the launch of the ID 3 hatch at the recent Frankfurt motor show. In fact, the success of VW’s heavy investment in full-electric technology is likely to depend on the country – and China poses several major challenges.
About half of VW’s 6.2 million car sales were in China. With Chinese government incentives heavily pushing electric vehicles, it is also the world’s largest electric car market, with 1.2m EVs sold there last year.
VW wants to produce 22m electrified cars by 2028, with more than half of those in China. This will involve electrified versions of existing VW models, followed by a range of ID models based on the VW Group’s electric MEB platform.
As with VW’s current range, ID models in China will be offered through the firm’s Beijing-based import business and its three joint ventures: the long-established FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC-Volkswagen, and the new JAC-Volkswagen.
All three are building plants purely to make MEB-platformed cars, with the FAW and SAIC factories due to open next year, each with capacity for 300,000 cars annually.
“That is not everything we will do capacity-wise, but it will allow us to serve the market as it is growing towards really big numbers,” said Wöllenstein.
FAW-VW and SAIC-VW will each launch its own ID model next year, likely similar-sized cars with different external styling, as VW has done with its recent SUV range.
Wöllenstein likened the joint-venture partners to “a big family with two kids. You don’t always have to dress them the same, but you can’t give one double the toys of the other without creating jealousy.”
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Hey Attwood, you being such
Hey Attwood, you being such an unbiased reporter can now officially go on record and admit you are on VW payroll. Are you that stiff? We all know you have to promote VAG cars but come on man, can’t you just come clean and admit it? You try your best to ignore Tesla but by golly, in terms of EV they are the 600 lb gorilla in the room and VW is just scrawny little kid trying not to get squashed. Tesla just completed a mega factory in China that will be turning out 200K cars...and you dont even mention that in your article? And unlike VW, Tesla is completely independent, they are not affiliated with a Chinese car company, and is free to pursue their business model - something VW can only dream of. But then you can’t that since that will upset your VW bosses. James Attwood, you are a joke.
Aamzing what can be achieved
When a country actually has an industry/Manufacturing product which can be sold globally.