All we know is that we know nothing. This is how we could summarize Volkswagen’s latest releases on the “ID.1” project, the German manufacturer’s low-budget electric car.
Volkswagen has no real shortage of new electric products to unveil for the years to come. If the ID.7 Tourer station wagon or the ID. Extended Buzz are technically interesting projects, the general public especially expects popular electric cars from Volkswagen. The ID.2all concept presented to the public at the Munich Motor Show last September was a first step in the right direction.
It is also the ID.1 which is now particularly awaited, but we will still have to be patient, because Volkswagen confirms that the €20,000 model will not appear on the market for three years. For what ? Quite simply because nothing has yet been decided at Volkswagen, according to a Reuters article from March 14.
4 teams are working on proposals for the future “ID.1”
Volkswagen held an annual meeting on the group’s brands on March 14. During this intervention, Thomas Schaefer, boss of Volkswagen, placed the release of the product most tailored to the entry-level at 2027. Before that, there will be the start of production at the end of 2025 of the ID.2, unless of €25,000, which will be delivered to customers from 2026. With the recent ID7 and ID.7 Tourer, Volkswagen has 11 launches of 100% electric models scheduled between now and 2027.
The €20,000 electric car is still at a very early stage of development. However, the German manufacturer has been addressing the subject for several years with the ID concept. Life that seems to have been completely abandoned. Apparently, 4 teams are currently working on the design of the model. The boss of the Volkswagen group indicated on Wednesday March 13 that the decision on this product will be taken later in the year, to select the best proposal. It is only from there that the project will be able to come to fruition, with entry into production as a result.
Volkswagen still open to a partnership on this model
A sign that the future of this model is still particularly vague, Oliver Blume, boss of Volkswagen Group, announced on Wednesday March 13 that “ we do not exclude partnerships. » The group does not necessarily seem to want, or be able to, produce this model on its MEB platform.
Is the rumor of an alliance with Renault to share the Twingo platform still relevant? Nothing is less sure. However, it seemed an interesting opportunity for both Renault and Volkswagen to partner on an A-segment electric car (mini city car).
Volkswagen could also very well seek to partner with a Chinese manufacturer. Two models in partnership with the Chinese pure-player Xpeng have already been implemented. Volkswagen also already has common interests with the SAIC group (owner of MG). It is therefore possible to wonder whether the project for an affordable Volkswagen could not benefit from the experience of a Chinese group, rather than partnering with a European brand in direct competition on the local market.
If decisions are actually made during the year, we should quickly be clear on the future of this low-budget model.
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