The ID.4 is one of several Volkswagen electric vehicles that will be impacted by the planned shutdowns at two German EV plants. VW is also planning to halt production of the ID.4 in the US.
Volkswagen plans shutdowns at ID.4, Audi EV plants
Europe’s largest automaker will temporarily halt production at two German plants where it builds some of its most popular electric cars.
Volkswagen will shut down its Zwickau plant, where it builds the Audi Q4 e-tron (including the Sportback), for a week, starting on October 8. A company spokesperson confirmed the news with Bloomberg, saying the luxury electric SUV took a hit from the new US tariffs and Germany’s push to slow the EU’s shift to EVs.
The Emden plant, where Volkswagen builds the ID.4 and ID.7, has already slashed worker hours and is expected to temporarily shut down for at least a few days, according to sources close to the matter.
Although Volkswagen has had strong EV sales in Europe, even overtaking Tesla as the largest electric car brand in the region in the first half of the year, it’s struggling with overproduction. Like several automakers, VW is also bracing for slower sales as the market shifts.
The Zwickau and Emden plants exclusively produce EVs and were part of Volkswagen’s major restructuring deal last year.
To avoid shutting down the facilities, VW agreed to reduce its workforce by 35,000 across Germany by 2030. Jobs in Emden and Zwickau were protected under the agreement.
Volkswagen builds other electric vehicles, including the ID.3 and Cupra Born, but these models are set to move to its Wolfsburg plant over the next few years. The Zwickau plant will continue building the Audi Q4 e-tron following the shutdown.
Top comment by Dan B
And to think just one tiny year ago, we were on track to have some of the lowest costs of products in years. Inflation was as low as it's been in many years. Green projects were blooming (pun intended) and EV sales were going up, up, up! Things at my job were getting better after 4 years of ups/downs due to the pandemic and other issues (micro chip shortages, etc).
Now look at where we are. My job is in the tank. Auto sales and dealerships in general are already feeling the heat and October will only bring more down to this industry. Inflation is going back up. EVERYTHING is costing more today than a year ago. Green projects are slowing down or stopped completely. The job market is getting worse. Consumer confidence is lower than in many years. And EV sales appear to be headed for a cliff.
All this because of one (little) man and his grotesque MAGA base and the politicians that worship him.
The planned shutdowns in Germany follow Volkswagen’s announcement to halt ID.4 production in the US earlier this month.
VW will pause ID.4 production at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant, starting in late October. The company said it was “a market-driven decision.”
Volkswagen has been offering some of the most significant discounts on electric vehicles in the US. The VW ID.4 has been the most affordable EV to lease, starting at just $129 per month. However, with the $7,500 federal EV tax credit expiring at the end of the month, VW, like many others, is expecting slower sales in the coming months.
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