Volkswagen is very pleased with itself. Its plant in Zwickau is using renewable energy to make all-electric cars, is reducing emissions in its distribution network, is building a new EV production line in Tennessee and is partnering with Microsoft to create autonomous steering systems. But he is not resting on his laurels. Here are three stories from today’s news that relate to the company and its efforts to drive the EV revolution.
I WENT. Buzz Timelines
Germany magazine Edison reports the ID. Buzz – the all-electric spiritual successor to the iconic VW Microbus – can use a 100 kWh battery and have a range of up to 500 kilometers (WLTP). Google’s translation is especially erratic for this story, but here’s the gist:
800 ABB robots were installed at the company’s Hannover plant to assemble the ID. Buzz and its battery, with production scheduled to begin in February 2022. The first copies are expected to reach Volkswagen dealerships in Germany in July next year.
The Hannover plant currently manufactures commercial vehicles, mainly the T6 and T7 vans. The identification. Buzz will be assembled along with these conventional products (the T7 has a plug-in hybrid powertrain available) so that the production mix can be adjusted as needed to meet demand. It is based on the MEB electric car platform and will be 4.7 meters long. Inside, there will be capacity for up to 7 passengers – 2 in the front, 2 in the middle and 3 in the rear. With all the components of the powertrain mounted under the floor, the load capacity must be wide.
Visually, the production version is quite faithful to the concept first revealed in 2017. Volkswagen is said to maintain the ID. Tinnitus name instead of ID. Bulli, because if you work in marketing, “buzz” is what matters. The buzz about the ID. Buzz has become stronger since the concept was first revealed.
A version with a dual engine and four-wheel drive may be offered, but it will probably not appear until two years after production begins. The most economical version will come with a 60 kWh battery, 125 horsepower engine and 300 km autonomy (WLTP). A panel van will be offered to delivery customers, as well as a long chassis version with greater load capacity.
Prices before incentives are expected to start at € 40,000 and increase to over € 60,000 for the dual-engine and long-wheelbase version with the largest battery. Americans salivating with identity. Buzz will have to wait a little longer. The decision was made to offer only the long-wheelbase version in the United States and deliveries are not expected to begin before the second quarter of 2023.
The Trinity Project
Courtesy of Volkswagen
Volkswagen has always had a small image problem. The name itself means “people’s car” and, since the first Beetle, its main business has been the production of cars for the masses, but it is eager to compete with companies like Mercedes and BMW in the premium segment. It has Audi and Porsche in its corporate stable, but there is still a desire to make the Volkswagen name synonymous with the best that the automotive world has to offer.
In 2002, the company launched its Phaeton sedan, a 12-cylinder car that was intended to stamp Volkswagen’s authority in the luxury car market. In Greek mythology, Phaeton was the son of Helios, the god who drove a chariot carrying the sun in the sky every day. Over time, the name came to mean any vehicle – drawn on horseback or gas – that offered sumptuous transportation. The Volkswagen Phaeton was quietly canceled after several years of low sales and high maintenance costs.
Now, the company says it wants to create a luxury all-electric car based on a new Scalable Systems Platform. According Autoblog, it’s all part of the new Volkswagen Speed up program, which has four components – electrification, software-defined products, new data-based business models and autonomous driving. “In the coming years, we will change Volkswagen like never before,” said CEO Ralf Brandstätter in a press release.
The car itself is scheduled to appear in 2025. Few details have been released, except for a concept design that shows a swoopy roof line. The company says it will have a long reach and fast loading capacity equal to the time needed to fill the tank of a conventional car. (Could this be a hint that the solid-state batteries QuantumScape is working on will be ready for production?) It will debut with level 2+ autonomy, but with built-in level 4 technology hardware. The company says it will be the first Volkswagen will be part of a “fully connected vehicle fleet in which vehicles will exchange data continuously [on] traffic, obstacles or accidents. ”If that reminds you of a certain California automaker that starts with the letter T, you are not alone.
That last part may be the real news. Autoblog says Trinity “should take Volkswagen into the financial promised land, taking the company out of the low manufacturing margin business and into a new business model that offers the rich returns from software as a service” as Volkswagen changes to ” new, data-based business models ”that“ generate additional revenue in the use phase ”.
Ok, what in the world does what to mean? The company says that the vehicles of the future may have much less hardware configurations. Years ago, Detroit found it cheaper to just add air conditioning, electric windows, cruise control and other features to all vehicles. Volkswagen can contemplate something similar with the Trinity, which could allow drivers to opt for all-wheel drive or extra power on a “service charge” basis. The most attentive readers can immediately think of a recent suggestion by Tesla that it may offer its Full Self Driving technology by subscription.
VW says: “Cars will have … virtually everything on board and customers will be able to activate their desired functions ‘on demand’ at any time via the digital ecosystem in the car.” Autoblog speculates that drivers could select the GTI power level, electronic damper tuning or a more sporty steering response simply by tapping the appropriate buttons on the car’s touchscreen. Customers looking for a cheaper car can simply choose a package that excludes certain performance or convenience options.
Ralf Brandstätter says: “In the future, the individual configuration of the vehicle will no longer be determined by the hardware at the time of purchase. Instead, customers will be able to add functions on demand at any time. “To which, Autoblog replies, somewhat ironic, “Your monthly vehicle usage fees may exceed your car payment. A brave new future, indeed. “
EU support for EV manufacturing in Spain?
Finally, the government of Spain announced last week that it will use funding from the then EU to create a public-private partnership between SEAT and Spanish concessionaire Iberdrola with the aim of building the country’s first factory for EV batteries. SEAT cars are currently manufactured in Germany and Slovakia, but Volkswagen said last year that it is considering building a small electric car (ID.1?) In Spain as early as 2025 – as long as there is public support for the idea .
According Reuters, Volkswagen Group President Herbert Diess was in Spain on Friday and told an audience that included King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez that his company wants a firm commitment from Brussels to support the manufacture of electric cars in Spain. Diess added that the potential project would include battery production and receive EU pandemic recovery funds, but emphasized that more support is needed.
“We hope that the European Commission will make this emblematic project of historic importance for Spain and Europe a reality,” said Diess. “The successful transformation of the Spanish auto industry will depend on a clear commitment from the European Commission.” SEAT President Wayne Griffiths said his company is seeking a broad alliance with Iberdrola, the telephone operator Telefonica and Caixabank, as well as other Spanish companies, to fulfill its electric mobility goal.
Diess’s remarks were somewhat cryptic about exactly what Volkswagen expects the EU to do to promote EV production in Spain, but if you guessed it has something to do with a big chunk of change, you probably wouldn’t be too mistaken.
The Takeaway
No matter how you do it, Volkswagen is taking the bull by the horns when it comes to producing electric cars and discovering new ways to monetize them. The only other company that is so creative in finding out what the EV revolution will look like is Tesla. Volkswagen could not have chosen a better model.
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