The Volkswagen Group has systematically continued its transformation in the first nine months of 2023. All-electric deliveries increased by 45 percent to 531,500 vehicles globally, raising the BEV share of total deliveries to 7.9 percent after 6.1 percent in the prior year period. In the third quarter alone, the BEV share climbed to 9.0 percent compared to 6.8 percent one year ago. From January to September, Europe remained the key growth driver with an increase of 61 percent to 341,100 vehicles. BEV deliveries jumped 74 percent to 50,300 units in the USA and surpassed prior year levels in China with an increase of 4 percent to 117,100 units.

64 percent of the Group's BEV deliveries went to its home region Europe, followed by China with 22 percent and the USA with 10 percent. 4 percent went to other markets.

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 273,000 all-electric vehicles by the end of September, slightly more than half of all BEVs of the Group. It was followed by Audi with 123,000 vehicles (group share 23 percent), ŠKODA with 54,400 vehicles (group share 10 percent), SEAT/CUPRA with 32,300 vehicles (group share 6 percent), Porsche with 27,900 vehicles (group share 5 percent) and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with 19,600 vehicles (group share 4 percent).

The most successful BEV models in the first nine months of 2023 were:

Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5 162,100
Volkswagen ID.3 90,500
Audi Q4 e-tron (incl. Sportback) 77,900
ŠKODA Enyaq iV (incl. Coupé) 54,400
CUPRA Born 32,300
Audi Q8 e-tron (incl. Sportback) 21,800

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The Volkswagen brand is preparing its Germany-based production network for the future. At a meeting today, the Group Board of Management informed the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group about its vehicle allocation plans for the brand through 2028. In taking this step, the company has set its sites up for profitable capacity utilization and the economic perspective of the coming years. Efficient vehicle allocation and increased productivity are key aspects of the performance program ACCELERATE forward | Road to 6.5 initiated by the brand.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand: “Our industry faces complex challenges as it undergoes a transformation that is being conducted under difficult business conditions. It is all the more important that we prepare our individual plants and the Volkswagen production network in Germany for the future. Within the context of our performance program, this newly approved vehicle allocation plan will make a substantial contribution to a strong, competitive VW brand.”

Christian Vollmer, the Volkswagen brand Board of Management member for Production and a member of the Extended Executive Committee for Production, added: “We are using the transition to electromobility as an opportunity to reduce the complexity of our production operations and increase the efficiency of our plants even further. We are systematically bundling vehicles based on the same architecture across all brands in our plants. By doing so, we will save significant investments in the integration of different vehicle architectures. Rather, we want our plants to produce several different models on the technical basis of one vehicle architecture.”

General Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo said: “With the decisions for our domestic vehicle manufacturing VW plants, we have now taken an important step in the planning round. In doing so, even in difficult times, the company and the Works Council are demonstrating their ability to work together to find solid solutions that combine the best possible economic utilization of the factories and clear prospects for our workforces. With that in mind, we are now moving on to the next stages for the planning round and the performance program.”

Apart from the ID.3 – that is being ramped up in 2023 – the plant in Wolfsburg will produce a second electric model. Starting in 2026, large numbers of an all-electric SUV for the high-volume A segment are scheduled to roll off assembly lines. The plant’s robust utilization will also be ensured by its production of the best-selling Golf and the new Tiguan generation. Starting in 2025, the successor model of the Tiguan Allspace will be produced at the main plant as well. During the plant allocation planning, it was decided that there was no need to build an additional plant in Wolfsburg Warmenau. Instead, new electric models based on the SSP architecture (scalable systems platform), that will be introduced at the end of the decade, will be integrated into existing and modernized structures at the main plant. The high-volume VW icon Golf is also to be led into the electric future here on an SSP basis. As things stand today, the Trinity vehicle project originally planned for Wolfsburg will go to the Zwickau plant.

The Osnabrück plant is also scheduled to continue the partnership with Porsche in addition to its production of the combustion vehicles Arteon and T-Roc convertible.

The previous planning will remain in effect for all other German and international locations of the Volkswagen brand.

Articles source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen is launching pre-sales for the enhanced ID.4 and ID.5 models. The two electric models will now be offered with a brand new generation of infotainment system and software. In addition, all Pro and GTX versions will feature a new drive system. The high-efficiency drive introduced for the first time for the large ID.7 offers significantly more power together with reduced energy consumption. The combined WLTP range of the ID.4 as a versatile electric SUV is increased to up to 550 kilometres(1) (WLTP) thanks to the new electric drive. The spacious ID.5 SUV coupé will have a range of up to 556 kilometres(1) (WLTP) on one battery charge. Volkswagen offers the optimized models at the same base prices as their predecessors. The price-performance ratio of the ID.4 and ID.5 has thus been significantly improved.

Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management with responsibility for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, says: “Our customers can look forward to exceptional technical performance with the new ID.4 and the new ID.5. Software and infotainment are state-of-the-art. In addition, there are extensive assistance systems that leave nothing to be desired. The further improved ID.4 and ID.5 models are at the top of the segment with their new technologies and the acknowledged balance of driving, comfort and spaciousness.”

Intuitive operation improved. Volkswagen has significantly enhanced the cockpit landscape of the ID.4 and ID.5. The focus here was on intuitive operation. Against this background, both product lines have received brand new latest-generation software which is much faster and offers more functions. In addition, both models are equipped with a new standard infotainment system with a screen diagonal that has been increased to 32.8 centimetres (12.9 inches). The infotainment system impresses with a completely new menu structure while the Digital Cockpit (digital instruments as standard) and the optional augmented reality head-up display have been enhanced. Touch sliders for the air conditioning and volume control are now illuminated and the multifunction steering wheel with new operating logic is also new. Furthermore, Volkswagen has removed and separated the driving mode selector from the housing of the Digital Cockpit and designed it as a steering column switch – like in the ID.7. This creates space for the larger infotainment display. Operation of the ID.4 and ID.5 is made easier by the new IDA voice assistant, which responds more precisely than in the past to natural voice commands and offers new functions including cloud-based weather information and the status of sporting events or stock market prices, which can be queried via IDA. Volkswagen also offers a new premium sound system from Harman Kardon with 480 Watts of music output and 10 speakers (including centre speaker and subwoofer) as an option for both models.

An extra 75 per cent of torque. The most important new technology feature in all ID.4 and ID.5 models with 77 kWh battery (net) is the high-efficiency drive. Thanks to a new electric drive motor on the rear axle and a new-generation battery, it has been possible to reduce energy consumption while at the same time increasing power. An electric drive motor with 210 kW (286 PS)(2) is now used in the rear-wheel-drive models ID.4 Pro and ID.5 Pro – this corresponds to 60 kW more power than in the predecessors. The power delivery is more dynamic in every situation as the torque of the 210 kW drive motor has jumped from 310 to 545 Nm. The additional 235 Nm corresponds to about 75 per cent more torque. With the new rear electric drive motor and an additional drive motor on the front axle, the all-wheel-drive ID.4 Pro 4MOTION(3) develops a system power of 210 kW (286 PS)(3) – an increase of 15 kW (21 PS).

GTX models – 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds(4). The particularly sporty and likewise all-wheel drive ID.4 GTX(3) and ID.5 GTX(3) flagship models will deliver a system power of 250 kW (340 PS) in future, equivalent to an increase of 30 kW (41 PS). The associated improvement in the dynamic characteristics is clearly noticeable. A good indicator of this is the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. With a time of 5.4 seconds(4), the GTX models now clearly beat the six-second mark. As before, the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX are electronically limited to a top speed of 180 km/h. To match the GTX models, the top speed of the Pro models has now also been increased to 180 km/h (previously 160 km/h). The drive of the ID.4 base model remains unchanged: the ID.4 Pure has a maximum speed of 160 km/h with its 125 kW motor (170 PS).

Energy for another 178 kilometres in 10 minutes. All ID.4 and ID.5 models with the new 77 kWh battery now have a longer range. Two examples: the new ID.4 Pro can cover a distance of 550 kilometres(1) (WLTP combined) – 17 kilometres more than the predecessor. The new ID.5 Pro has a range of up to 556 kilometres* – an increase of 11 kilometres. The ID.4 and ID.5 models with rear-wheel drive charge with the familiar 135 kW. The all-wheel-drive models now also offer a DC charging capacity that has been increased from 135 to 175 kW. With the maximum charging capacity, these ID. versions can take on enough energy for a further 178 kilometres in about just 10 minutes. The base version ID.4 Pure with a 52 kWh battery is now offered with a charging capacity of up to 115 kW instead of 110 kW.

Faster charging on journeys. New charging and thermal management of all ID.4 and ID.5 models makes sure the battery is pre-conditioned while driving before the next DC charging stop. Thanks to this pre-conditioning, the ID.4 and ID.5 are supplied with new energy again as quickly as possible, especially on long journeys with one or more charging stops.

More comfortable and dynamic at the same time. To complement the new drive system, the running gear has also been reconfigured. Furthermore, Volkswagen has refined control of the optional adaptive chassis control (DCC) and designed the Vehicle Dynamics Manager for an even greater spread between comfort and dynamics.

(1)Range determined on the rolling road test bed in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) in the most range-favourable equipment variant of the ID.4 Pro and ID.5 Pro with a net battery energy content of 77 kWh. The actual WLTP range values may differ depending on the equipment. The actual range achieved under real conditions varies depending on the driving style, speed, use of comfort features or auxiliary equipment, outside temperature, number of passengers/load, topography and the ageing and wear process of the battery.

(2)The maximum power is available at the highest possible battery state of charge and with an optimal operating temperature range of the high-voltage battery. The power available in the individual driving situation depends on variable factors such as outside temperature, temperature-, charging- and conditioning status or physical ageing of the high-voltage battery.

(3)Maximum power determined in accordance with UN-GTR.21. The maximum power is available at the highest possible battery state of charge and with an optimal operating temperature range of the high-voltage battery. The power available in the individual driving situation depends on variable factors such as outside temperature,temperature-, charging- and conditioning status or physical ageing of the high-voltage battery.

(4)Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds determined with the specified maximum power. The maximum power is available at the highest possible battery state of charge and with an optimal operating temperature range of the high-voltage battery.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Optimum travel comfort was one of the most important goals during the development of the ID.7, Volkswagen’s first electric model for the upper mid-sized class. The new optional ergoActive premium seats, which have been certified by the German Campaign for Healthier Backs (AGR), make a significant contribution to this outstanding comfort. The new front seats combine comfort with innovative massage programmes, automatic air conditioning and an advanced activation function for muscle groups in the spine and pelvic regions.

While they were designing the new generation of seats for the ID.7, Volkswagen’s engineers worked with experts from the German Campaign for Healthier Backs (AGR). In collaboration with orthopaedic specialists, physiotherapists and sports scientists from AGR, they have managed to create Volkswagen’s first front seats that activate the pelvis and spine. In addition to 10 air cushions used for pressure point massage in the backrests, this is primarily achieved by two air cushions in the seat. These cushions work alternately and – in combination with the massage function – can relieve tension and help the occupant from sitting in the same position for too long.

Ulrich Kuhnt, consultant to AGR and Chair of the German Association of Back Schools, explains: “Lifting up the sit bones tilts the pelvis. This then produces a slight rotation of the spine, which is additionally supported by the air cushions in the back. These small movements extend all the way up to the cervical spine. They prevent tension from building up and can even increase concentration.” Vehicle occupants will also benefit from this in the long term, says the expert: “Torsion of the spine stimulates metabolic processes in the spinal discs. In combination with the stochastically controlled massage programmes, this encourages back-friendly, dynamic sitting.

With its new front seats, the ID.7 sets new standards in the upper mid-sized class. In addition to this unique pelvic activation function, the new ergoActive premium seats also offer pneumatic pressure point massage. This helps to relax and activate the back muscles. Two rows of five air cushions are used to achieve this. Specific programme sequences, lasting between 10 and 30 minutes, enable the massage function to be tailored to the user’s needs. Electric 12-way seat adjustment and manual two-way seat depth adjustment with thigh support help front seat occupants to find their own preferred seat positions. A memory function also means positions can be saved.

Helps feeling fresh and alert on journeys. The ergoActive premium seats also offer dynamic air conditioning, which controls the seat cushion and backrest separately from one another. The seat can therefore be heated and ventilated individually. The interaction between these functions means that, for the first time, each user’s ideal seat temperature can also be created independently in automatic mode. To achieve this, the temperature and moisture levels are measured in the contact zone between the seat and the passenger and compared with other climate-relevant factors and preferred settings. This information is then used to calculate an individual optimum climate. In addition to automatic mode, users can also choose between three smart climates: warm, dry or cool. A heating and cooling function that is located close to the body like this can help to increase occupants’ wellbeing. The energy needed for this process is lower than the energy needed to adjust the temperature of the entire vehicle interior.

Functions are easy to control. A number of options are available for operating the ergoActive premium seats: the adjustment functions can be controlled directly using buttons on the seat. In addition, the infotainment system display can be used to access the programmes for the ergoActive premium seats. In the second row of seats in the ID.7, there are three settings for heating the seat cushions and backrests. This function is operated using buttons in the centre console.

Seats are included in the optional interior package Plus. Thanks to optional, clearly designed equipment packages, the ID.7 is particularly easy to configure. The ergoActive premium seats in the ID.7 are part of the optional interior package Plus for 4,450 euros. The Plus package also includes features such as a 700-Watt sound system from Harman Kardon (with 14 high-end loudspeakers including a front centre speaker and subwoofer in the luggage compartment) and a background lighting system with 30 different colours.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com