Volkswagen Group

German automotive conglomerate Volkswagen Group has shared positive Q1 reports, outlining a robust business despite global inhibitors like supply chain shortages and conflict in Eastern Europe. With its 2022 outlook optimistically confirmed, Volkswagen is expanding investments in R&D that includes new EV technologies as well as major funds to bring more BEVs to North America.

According to a recent report out of Germany, Volkswagen is flirting with the idea of opening a second US production facility, possibly in Chattanooga, TN, where its current footprint is. In addition to significantly expanding its capacity on US soil, Volkswagen is also reportedly considering implementing a battery cell plant nearby as well.

Volkswagen has announced a strategic partnership with BP to expand the latter’s EV charging network across the EU and UK, beginning immediately. The first of 4,000 Volkswagen Flexpole chargers planned for Germany and the UK began service today, and the partnership allows for up to 4,000 more to be installed in other EU countries – all by 2024.

After sharing long-term electrification goals during a recent financial report, new details of future Porsche EVs have emerged including plans for an electric 911. What might be even more mouth-watering (if true) is that the German automaker has been working with Quantumscape to integrate solid-state batteries into future Porsche EVs like the electric 911.

German automaker Volkswagen, has announced a long-anticipated generation 3.0 software update for its entire lineup of ID. electric vehicles. The 3.0 update includes a slew of new and optional upgrades to features like automated driving, charging performance, and the AR Heads-up Display.

Czech auto manufacturer Škoda has expanded its all-electric vehicle offerings by introducing a new Enyaq Coupé iV for Europe. The new EV was unveiled alongside a sportier Rally Sport version and can come in two different battery sizes as well as rear- or all-wheel drive.

Luxury automotive manufacturer Bentley is yet another Volkswagen Group subsidiary falling in line with its parent, vowing an all-electric future for its vehicles. Bentley Motors has shared details of its “Beyond100” sustainability strategy, with includes large investments in EV production, a “Dream Factory” revamp in the UK, and carbon neutrality by 2030.

Following another productive year of increased EV deliveries, Volkswagen Group has shared specifics to its electrification numbers in the EU. In addition to seeing a 64% increase in EV deliveries across most of its brands combined, the German automaker also exceeded average emissions targets put in place for the EU.

Volkswagen continues to tease the world with its upcoming ID. Buzz electric minibus ahead of its world premiere scheduled for March 9th. The latest taste comes in the form of a video posted by the automaker’s commercial vehicle branch Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge. It shows two camouflaged ID Buzz electric minibuses driving out of an assembly plant in Hanover, Germany.

Despite overall sales being down about eight percent on the back of global supply chain and chip shortage issues, Volkswagen sold more battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2021 than ever, with more than seven percent of all VW-badged cars having been sold with plugs.

Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess has confirmed that the VW ID.BUZZ, a new electric version of the brand’s iconic minibus, will launch on March 9.

Today, Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and Volkswagen’s AG heavy-truck business the Traton Group announced the official signing of a joint venture to install and operate a high-performance public charging network for electric, heavy-duty, long-haul trucks and buses across Europe.

Following the release of its Q3 delivery numbers, Volkswagen Group continues to grow its presence in the BEV market, up 109% compared to Q3 last year. Nine months into 2021, Volkswagen has more than doubled its worldwide deliveries, nipping at the heels of Tesla – the current undisputed EV market leader.

Tesla continues to grow as well, and could (maybe) surpass one million deliveries in 2021, but at the rate Volkswagen is moving (up 138% this year), it could be following the trend in 2022.

Volkswagen’s all-electric ID.3 has found much success during its first year in the European market. Volkswagen has recently reported over 144,000 orders for the ID.3 the past year in Europe, and is now working around the clock to deliver them in a timely manner.

MAN Truck and Bus, a commercial subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, has announced it will wean its fleet’s dependency on diesel fuel in favor of all-electric powertrains, beginning in 2024. MAN currently offers a few electrified versions of trucks, vans, and buses, but it will focus further on electric commercial vehicles under the pressure of VW. Can it do so quickly enough?

In its continued journey toward vehicle electrification, Audi has announced goals to become a sustainable, social, and technological leader by 2030. This is all part of a new corporate strategy from Audi called “Vorsprung 2030,” with the goal of accelerating the automaker’s electrified transformation originally slotted for 2026. Furthermore, Audi will continue to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle production, approaching an end date of 2033.

The first VW ID.4 electric SUV pre-production units have rolled off the assembly line at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, factory.

The Volkswagen Group’s plan to accelerate electrification is starting to pay off as we are now seeing significant delivery volumes of fully electric vehicles from the German automaker’s brand.

The group has already delivered 171,000 BEVs so far this year.

VW has announced the launch of its over-the-air software update coming to its ID electric vehicle lineup.

It’s an important step taken by the German automaker to address its software issues.

Volkswagen Group has announced it is significantly expanding its production of battery systems at its components plant in Braunschweig. The expansion will double the plant’s output and, when fully ramped up, will be able to produce 500,000 MEB battery systems per year. Additionally, the plant will also be able to produce an additional 100,000 battery systems for non-MEB platform models, including some hybrids.

Obviously the short answer to the question above is yes, as Volkswagen at present has no plans to bring the ID.3 to North America, but what if they did? Would the Europe-friendly ID.3 succeed where the eGolf failed, or will the ID.4 simply be the better fit for the highways of the US and Canada? We recently reviewed the ID.3 and were impressed. Can the ID.4 create the same excitement that its “little brother” has in Europe, and does the Dieselgate scandal still linger in the consciousness of the North American consumer?