A half-year ahead of the launch of series-production, the Zwickau plant produced more than 200 pre-production ID.3 electric cars.
Volkswagen is preparing its Zwickau manufacturing plant in Germany to produce solely electric cars (MEB based) by the end of 2020 at an ultimate level of 330,000 per year (up to 1,500 per day).
The first model produced at the factory, recently visited by the members of Volkswagen’s Group and Brand Boards of Management, as well as the Group Works Council, will be the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback – from late 2019.
Volkswagen is already highly advanced in the ongoing transformation of Zwickau and so far produced more than 200 pre-production ID.3.
As the first customer deliveries are pushed to mid-2020, we assume that as in the case of Audi e-tron, the first batch of produced ID.3 will be used as demo/dealer cars in Europe.
At first, Volkswagen intends to deliver 30,000 limited edition ID.3 1ST, while regular production will be at around 100,000 per year.
Remaining production capacity will be gradually utilized for additional MEB-based models.
From the North American point of view, it’s obvious that if Europe will get the first ID.3 in mid-2020, and the ID.3 is not even envisioned for theU.S., then the first MEB-base VW in the U.S. could arrive no earlier than 2021.
Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said:
“It’s my firm conviction that Germany as an automotive location must also lead the way when it comes to electric mobility. That’s why we’re deliberately converting the Zwickau plant into the largest and most efficient e-car site in Europe. It’s impressive to see what efforts the team is making to help achieve that transformation. Zwickau can become a model for transformation in our industry.”
Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for E-Mobility and spokesperson of the Management Board of Volkswagen Sachsen, underscores the growing importance of the locations:
“The transformation to electric mobility is a huge task for Volkswagen, Volkswagen Sachsen and its workforce. We’ve successfully accomplished the first phase of that. Around half of the 1,500 new robots for body construction are already in operation, for example. The paint shop is currently being expanded and we’ll commence conversion of the first line in final assembly as planned in the summer.”
Jens Rothe, Chairman of the Central Works Council and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Sachsen, praised the broad-scale education drive for employees flanking the move toward electric mobility:
“We’re working intensely to prepare our colleagues for the new topics. Around 2,800 of the 8,000 employees have already undergone training. We’re making good progress in that.” In particular, Rothe urged policymakers and municipalities to take quicker and bolder action in expanding the charging infrastructure. “We need a lot more commitment here. My fear is that the right priorities are not always being set in this regard.” Volkswagen itself will expand the charging infrastructure in Zwickau from the current figure of 36 charging points at and around the plant to some 180 in the coming 18 months.
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