VW ID.4 SUV starts production

Volkswagen has begun series production of its ID.4 electric SUV in Zwickau, the second ID. family model after the ID.3, prior to the ID.4’s premiere.

Both are likely to be eventually available in New Zealand but with just the ID.4 expected in Australia around 2022.

Volkswagen New Zealand plans for the ID.4 to spearhead the introduction of the new MEB EV platform by late 2022 as well.

Several factors are challenging the planned roll-out, including very strong demand in Europe and temporary closure of VW’s European factories due to the coronavirus, Volkswagen New Zealand general manager Greg Leet says.

“We are going to compete – at least in the early years – for supply with what’s going on in the Northern Hemisphere.”

Discussions continue around the ID.3 for New Zealand.

“With the ID.42, Volkswagen is adding an all-electric vehicle to its offering in the compact SUV class, the world’s largest growth segment,” says VW brand chief executive Ralf Brandstatter who was at the Zwickau plant for the occasion.

The world premiere of the ID.4 follows at the end of September.

The VW Group of 12 brands is investing some 33 billion euros to 2024, 11b of which has been earmarked for the VW brand which expects to produce 1.5 million electric cars in 2025.

The ID.4 will be built and sold in Europe, China, and later also in the US, Brandstatter says.

“We are right on schedule with the Volkswagen brand’s transformation process to e-mobility,” VW e-mobility board member Thomas Ulbrich says.

“Given the major societal challenges of recent months, the successful start of ID.4 series production is an exceptional achievement. The second model in the ID. family is already rolling off the assembly line where, only recently, ICEs were still being built.”

Kombi look-alike the ID.Buzz is also expected to start production in 2022.

Meanwhile, the ID.4 will have up to about 500km range and be produced in several battery sizes with an all-wheel-drive option added later.

Details will be included in the September launch.