The Golf demand is weakening, the electric Tiguan should ensure more production again.
(Photo: Reuters)
Wolfsburg The Volkswagen main plant in Wolfsburg was recently not fully utilized. Lines in the important production facility kept standing still, and employees were sent on short-time work. The main reason is the chip crisis, which at VW means that models with high margins are first supplied with the rare components and chips. And they are not built in Wolfsburg.
At a works meeting, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also attended, VW was able to make an announcement that should secure employment at the location more strongly in the medium term.
An additional electric model is to be built in Wolfsburg from 2026. The new model should be roughly the size of today’s Tiguan and based on a revised version of the current MEB electric platform (“MEB plus”). A spokesman confirmed the step and timing to the Handelsblatt.
In the run-up to the important planning round at VW last week, the Handelsblatt reported that an electric Tiguan was to be built in Wolfsburg. However, it was not yet clear when exactly the vehicle should roll off the assembly line at the main plant.
In addition to the Tiguan, the Golf, Touran and Seat Tarraco are also manufactured in Wolfsburg. The location is also being prepared for overflow production of the VW ID.3 from Zwickau.
The electric Tiguan, which in all likelihood will be called the ID.Tiguan, is a chronological bridge for VW until the important future model with the working title “Trinity” can go into production. This car is also to be built in Wolfsburg.
VW: Trinity comes later, Tiguan fills the gap
The Trinity project had been postponed because of problems in software development. CEO Oliver Blume expects it to start by the end of the decade, the model was originally supposed to come onto the market in 2026 – the year in which the electric Tiguan will come to Wolfsburg.
The CEO renewed his criticism of the Euro 7 emissions standard.
(Photo: Reuters)
“We have now closed the gap that will arise in 2026,” said Daniela Cavallo, head of the works council, at the works meeting. Trinity should get its own systems and be based on a completely new vehicle platform called SSP. According to everything we hear from corporate circles, this should be ready in 2028.
Volkswagen had already announced at the end of the year that it would be relying more heavily on the Group’s well-known product ranges – also in terms of design. According to the group, many customers wish that models like the Golf, the GTI or the Tiguan had a future in the electric age. So far, Volkswagen has not had an offer for this. That should change with the ID.Tiguan.
>> Read about this: First round of planning for VW boss Oliver Blume – lighthouse project Trinity in focus
At the works meeting, CEO Blume also announced that VW was planning a purely electric version of the Golf. “The Golf is an icon – a whole generation was named after it,” said Blume literally. “That’s why we also want to bring vehicles like the Golf and the Tiguan into the electric age.” Blume did not give any further details.
Chancellor Scholz visits Volkswagen
The Golf has recently weakened as a bestseller in Europe, also because VW competed with other combustion models such as the T-Roc and the Tiguan, but also with the ID.3 electric car. In addition, due to a lack of parts, fewer Golf models have recently been produced than in previous years.
>> Read about this: From cash cow to discontinued model? VW Golf loses top spot in Europe
VW is planning another combustion engine version of the Tiguan for this year. The model is one of the most popular cars in Europe and Germany in the core brand’s product portfolio. Unlike the Golf, the car is also very popular outside of these markets and is considered a “world car” within VW.
With his visit on Thursday, Olaf Scholz followed an invitation from VW Group works council chief Cavallo. For Volkswagen, it was the first chancellor’s visit in 15 years. In the run-up to the works meeting, Scholz had visited the Golf production.
For him, according to Scholz, Volkswagen stands for the ‘Germany model’ like “hardly any other company in our country” – with highly developed technology, well-trained specialists “and company cohesion for good work and good wages”. Among other things, Scholz used his visit to gain insights into vocational training at Volkswagen. According to VW, more than 10,000 employees came to Hall 11 for the works meeting with the top politician.
CEO Blume used the visit to reiterate his criticism of the planned tightening of the Euro 7 emissions standard for combustion cars. The proposal cannot be implemented by 2025. “With a view to climate protection, you also have to ask why large sums should still be invested in combustion engines, even though the technology is being phased out,” said Blume.
More: This is how VW wants to lead the icons Golf, GTI and Tiguan into the e-age