Volkswagen unveils future strategy and affordable entry-level EV

At a recent works meeting in Wolfsburg, Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, presented an ambitious roadmap for the company’s future. A major highlight was the unveiling of the design for Volkswagen’s upcoming entry-level electric vehicle, priced at approximately €20,000. Schäfer emphasized Volkswagen’s commitment to making e-mobility accessible to all, reinforcing the brand’s promise of innovation and affordability.

Volkswagen plans to publicly showcase a show car version of this new entry-level model in early March, with a production launch scheduled for 2027. Designed to cater to a broad customer base, this vehicle will be a high-quality, cost-effective electric car manufactured in Europe for the European market. Schäfer proudly described it as “the Champions League of automotive engineering.”

Daniela Cavallo, Chairwoman of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG, reaffirmed the significance of this model, stating:

“The new all-electric entry-level model will be a Volkswagen in the genuine sense of the term. It is therefore appropriate that our employees at the Wolfsburg plant will be the first to have a preview of the design – before the general public.”

This vehicle will be a key part of Volkswagen’s electric small car family, which also includes the ID.2all, slated for a 2026 launch at a base price of under €25,000. Both models are built on the latest evolution of the modular electric drive (MEB) platform, ensuring cutting-edge performance and efficiency.

Since the debut of its ID. series in 2019, Volkswagen has sold over 1.35 million all-electric vehicles worldwide, including approximately 500,000 ID.3 units. In 2023 alone, the brand recorded 383,100 all-electric vehicle sales, cementing its position as a leader in the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market.

During the meeting, Schäfer underscored Wolfsburg’s pivotal role in Volkswagen’s transition to electric mobility. He announced that by relocating Golf production to Mexico, the company is creating space for advanced manufacturing technologies. New production processes will be introduced in Hall 54, with plans to produce next-generation electric models at the plant.

“The Wolfsburg plant has a clear future ahead. Our goal is to build the next-generation electric Golf on the new SSP platform there, along with the high-volume electric T-Roc. This will establish Wolfsburg as the capital of our new all-electric compact class,” Schäfer stated.

The Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) represents the next stage of Volkswagen’s all-electric, fully digitalized, and highly scalable mechatronics architecture. Cavallo highlighted Wolfsburg’s crucial role in the SSP project:

Under its “Zukunft Volkswagen” (Future Volkswagen) agreement, Volkswagen has set a bold vision for the future, balancing economic stability, employment security, and leadership in sustainable mobility. By 2030, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand aims to become the global leader in volume manufacturing technology.

To achieve this goal, Volkswagen has outlined a three-stage plan:

• Catch Up: Strengthening competitiveness through cost optimization and expanding the model lineup.

• Attack: Introducing nine new models by 2027, including the ID.2all and the new entry-level electric car.

• Lead: Becoming the technology leader in the volume segment and setting new global mobility standards.

Volkswagen’s latest strategy reaffirms its commitment to affordable, high-quality electric vehicles and solidifies Wolfsburg as the innovation hub for the company’s electric transformation. With major investments in next-generation platforms, cutting-edge production processes, and a strong lineup of upcoming models, Volkswagen is positioning itself at the forefront of the EV revolution.

As the automotive industry rapidly evolves, Volkswagen’s ambitious plan reflects its determination to lead in sustainable mobility while making electric vehicles accessible to all. The coming years will be crucial in shaping the company’s legacy, and all eyes are on Wolfsburg as it drives into the future.