Volkswagen establishes a European company (Société Européenne) to consolidate activities along the value chain for batteries – from processing raw materials to developing a unified Volkswagen battery to managing the European gigafactories. The company’s scope will include new business models based around reusing discarded car batteries and recycling the valuable raw materials they contain. The Group is thus creating efficient and future-proof structures for the rapidly growing battery business. As part of its NEW AUTO strategy, the Volkswagen Group is aiming to become the world’s leading manufacturer of electric vehicles. To this end, it is expanding its battery-related activities and making these into one of its core competencies.

Thomas Schmall, member of the Board of Management for technology at Volkswagen AG and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, and thus responsible for batteries, charging and energy as well as for the in-house production of components, says the following: “We want to offer our customers powerful, inexpensive and sustainable vehicle batteries, which means we need to be active at all stages of the battery value chain that are critical for success. We are now bundling our power in Salzgitter, with the aim of encouraging innovation and securing the support of the best partners for our new company going forward. We already have a strong battery team in Salzgitter made up of 500 employees from 24 countries – and we are continuing to strengthen this team at leadership level.”

Under the management of battery boss Frank Blome, Soonho Ahn will take on a leading role in the development of battery cells.Following appointments at LG and Samsung, Ahn’s most recent post was as Global Head of Battery Development at Apple. Kai Alexander Müller of Barclays Investment Bank,London, will likewise make the switch to Salzgitter, where he will contribute his financial experience in the capital market and in equity research.

Volkswagen is planning to establish six gigafactories in Europe to cover the growing demand for battery cells within the Group. Battery cell production in Salzgitter is set to start in 2025. The gigafactory in Lower Saxony will produce unified battery cells for the Volkswagen Group’s volume segment. In its initial phase, the factory is set to have an annual capacity of 20 gigawatt hours; this is planned to double to 40 gigawatt hours at a later stage. On the basis of the current planning round, the Volkswagen Group is investing heavily in developing battery cell production in Salzgitter. All in all, €2 billion has been earmarked for the construction and operation of the Salzgitter gigafactory up to the start of production.

Battery cell manufacture in Salzgitter is expected to provide jobs for more than 2,500 people in the future. These employees will principally be staff from the Salzgitter engine plant, who will be retrained in order to take on these new roles. Some of these staff bring expertise – in planning or logistics for example – that will be useful in the construction of the factory. Where necessary, this know-how transfer will be supplemented by new competencies, for example by recruiting staff externally.

The site in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony, will bring together development, planning and production control under one roof, and will thus become the Volkswagen Group’s battery centre. There are plans to build additional gigafactories at sites in Spain and Eastern Europe. The exact locations for gigafactories 3 and 4 are due to be decided in the first half of 2022. Volkswagen intends to open two more battery cell factories in Europe by 2030.

Parallel to the development of these five gigafactories by the newly formed European company, the Swedish start-up Northvolt AB – in which Volkswagen has a stake of around 20 percent – will be building a further factory in Skellefteå in northern Sweden. This will produce battery cells for the premium automotive segment starting in 2023. Northvolt already has an established partnership with the Volkswagen Group in the area of premium battery cells.

Volkswagen is forging ahead with the industrialisation of battery technology at all levels of the value chain. This week, the company agreed two strategic partnerships with Umicore and 24M as well as a long-term supply agreement with Vulcan Energy Resources.

The goal of the partnerships is to aid the manufacture and procurement of primary materials as well as to optimise battery cell manufacture at the planned gigafactories. The partnerships are designed tobuild know-how in battery technology and optimize cost management.

The Volkswagen Group is pursuing what probably ranks as the most comprehensive electric strategy in the global automotive industry. Over the next five years, the Group will be investing around €52 billion in the development and production of new electric vehicles. The NEW AUTO strategy also covers the development of the new business fields batteries, charging and energy. In addition, the Group is creating dedicated technology platforms that enable cross-brand synergies, including the modular electric drive matrix MEB and an SSP platform, due to launch in 2026.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Pre-sales of Volkswagen’s first ever e-SUV coupé with long distance suitability have now got underway. The top-of-the-range electric model of the ID. family based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) is available in Germany from an entry-level price of 46,515 euros. In addition to its expressive design, the ID.5 features an exclusive interior complete with all the latest Infotainment and assist systems. The ID.5 offers full connectivity and can be updated over-the-air.

“Our elegant e-SUV coupé already gives customers the new ID.Software 3.0. In concrete terms, this means that improved charging capacity and voice control ensure a high level of user comfort,” says Klaus Zellmer, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand with responsibility for Sales, Marketing and After Sales. “Latest-generation assist systems demonstrate Volkswagen’s software expertise:here we’re taking the next step towards automated driving as part of the ACCELERATE strategy.”

Over-the-air updates ensure the ID.5 always stays up-to-date. The comprehensive driver assist systems with new functions are included in the optionally available Travel Assist with swarm data. This enhances driving comfort as a result of the interaction between ACC and Lane Assist, combined with navigation data and data from the cloud transmitted by other vehicles (swarm data). Local hazard alert with Car2X technology is on board as standard. Parking is now even easier, too, thanks to Park Assist Plus with memory function (optional).

Available at the pre-sales launch: the ID.5 Pro and the ID.5 Pro Performance with 128 kW (174 PS) and 150 kW (204 PS) respectively, along with the all-wheel drive ID.5 GTX with 220 kW (299 PS).

All ID.5 motor options use a large, long-distance-capable battery that can store 77 kWh of energy (net). Its central location under the passenger compartment ensures a low centre of gravity and balanced distribution of the axle load. This enables the ID.5 Pro and ID.5 Pro Performance to achieve a range of up to 520 km (WLTP) with a maximum charging power of up to 135 kW. The all-wheel drive ID.5 GTX has a range of up to 490 km (WLTP). Thanks to the peak charging power of up to 150 kW, the top model charges energy for the 100 kilometres in just 6 minutes at fast charging stations.

The novel body style and space concept highlight the innovative power of Volkswagen and its ID. family. Despite its coupé-type shape, the ID.5 has just 12 mm less headroom in the back than the Volkswagen ID.4. The long 2,766 mm wheelbase allows interior spatial conditions comparable to those of SUVs in higher vehicle classes. The luggage compartment volume is 549 litres, while the vehicle’s materials and workmanship are of premium quality.

“The ID.5 offers the very best combination of premium standards with elegance and sustainability,” says Klaus Zellmer. “Our first all-electric SUV coupé offers local carbon-neutral mobility and sporty performance for a demanding clientele. Our aim is to make Volkswagen the most desirable volume brand for sustainable mobility. The ID.5 is a crucial milestone and a big step along our way to ZERO.”

The streamlined range structure makes it easy to order the ID.5. Customers first decide which engine and look they want ; this is then followed by a clearly organised selection of packages. They can choose between optional design, Infotainment, assist, comfort and sport packages, all of which are available in both basic and “plus” variants.

With We Charge Volkswagen provides the perfect charging solution everywhere and around the clock. The ID.5 models can be charged with a power of up to 11 kW at an alternating current charging station or wall box. On the road, ID.5 models with We Charge benefit from the fastest-growing charging ecosystem which already comprises some 250,000 charging points throughout Europe. With the increased maximum DC charging capacity of up to 135 kW, the battery is able to store energy for the next 390 km in the ID.5, or 320 km in the ID.5 GTX (WLTP), in around 30 minutes at fast charging stations.

The ID.5 is a new model in the ID. family in Europe following on from the best-selling ID.3 and the global car ID.4. With this addition, Volkswagen is speeding up its electric mobility campaign under the ACCELERATE strategy. By 2030 at least 70 per cent of Volkswagen’s unit sales in Europe are expected to come from all-electric vehicles. The CO2 emissions per vehicle are set to decrease by up to 40 percent by as soon as 2030. On its “way to ZERO”, the company is planning to become climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest.

The ID.5 and ID.5 GTX are manufactured at the Volkswagen plant in Zwickau and are carbon-neutral on handover to the customer. When charged using 100 per cent green energy, the vehicles are already virtually climate-neutral.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

With the launch of the Taigo, a totally new model arrives in Volkswagen showrooms – with a sloping roof like a coupé and a slightly elevated seating position. However, its modern character is not only reflected in the elegant shape of its body, but also in the many intelligent comfort, operating and assist systems. On request, the small car can be upgraded with a black roof, large tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, and technological features like IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist for partly automated driving. The entry price for the all-new Taigo (with 1.0 TSI engine, 70 kW/95 PS, 5-speed) is € 19,350.

It joins the ranks of Volkswagen’s small car segment alongside the Polo and T-Cross. And what a car it is! The innovative body shape, with perfect proportions and up to 18-inch wheels, give it an elegant and dynamic look. Another highlight of the exterior is the continuous light strip and LED lights at the rear. The IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, including a light strip in the radiator grille, can also be ordered (as standard from equipment line Style and above) for greater convenience, an even sharper signature at the front, and increased safety.

The central element in the interior is the standard Digital Cockpit, as well as the new generation of infotainment system (MIB). Arranged horizontally on a raised sightline, this digital unit boasts a 20-cm, high-resolution colour display that gives you an overview of all essential information. The optional Digital Cockpit Pro also offers many individual configuration options.

Three engines and four equipment lines

The Taigo, which is only available as front-wheel drive, is offered in three performance levels (as 1.0 TSI with a choice of 70 kW/95 PS or 81 kW/110 PS, and as 1.5 TSI with 110 kW/150 PS) and the four equipment lines Taigo, Life, Style and R-Line. The entry level Taigo (with 1.0 TSI engine, 70 kW/95 PS and a manual 5-speed transmission) boasts a large range of standard features. For example, the SUV coupé comes with a multifunctional steering wheel, air conditioning, the Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist, Lane Assist, and LED headlights as standard.

The Life equipment line also comes with the standard Park Distance Control and App Connect. The latter makes it possible to comfortably operate selected apps and content directly via the display in the car. On the engine side, the more powerful 1.0-litre TSI with an output of 81 kW (110 PS) is available as an option.

The Style equipment line is expressive and has even more possibilities: for example, the extensive range of standard equipment includes App Connect, including App Connect Wireless for Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights with LED daytime driving light also come as standard. The Taigo Style is also available with the 1.5-litre TSI engine generating 110 kW (150 PS), and a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) as an option.

The R-Line equipment line is the right choice for anyone who prefers a sporty overall impression. It is defined by a lower front bumper in the R-Line design, a rear diffusor, sporty contrasting elements in high-gloss black, and larger wheels (up to 18-inch). In the interior, a black roof liner (typical “R”) is a standard feature. The R-Line equipment line – like the Taigo Style – also comes with the IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights (including light strip at the front), the Ready 2 Discover infotainment system, and heated front seats.

The Taigo also boasts many opportunities to customise the car: the eight colours, including two uni tones and five metallic paints, as well as the pearl-effect Deep Black, can be combined with a contrasting Deep Black roof upon request. Tinted side windows, a dark rear window and black exterior mirror caps are included in the Roof Pack.

From the Life equipment line, it is possible to order a panoramic tilting and sliding sunroof, which extends across almost the entire interior. Depending on the equipment line, additional design packages are available at an extra charge, as is a towing bracket, ensuring the car is fit for everyday use.

Low insurance rating – low maintenance costs

One big factor when deciding which car to purchase are the low maintenance costs of the new Taigo: its insurance ratings are favourable (liability class: 12, fully comprehensive: 18, partially comprehensive: 17), and the car tax of € 46 per year is very low.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The ACCELERATE strategy is systematically driving the advancement towards becoming a software-oriented mobility provider. Software is also key in the development of chassis and steering systems for the highly automated driving of the future. Volkswagen is currently developing the next generation of a regulated chassis, and a new steering system.

“The body’s pitching and rolling movements are significantly minimised and the driving dynamics optimised because the car reacts to steering movements more quickly and is more precise to drive,” said Karsten Schebsdat, Head of Vehicle Dynamics and Chassis Control System sat Volkswagen. “And this development is very important in terms of highly automated driving. This is how we ensure passengers are as comfortable as possible in all situations.”

In future, software will play an even greater role in defining the character of the car

The development of a new steering system is forging ahead as well. “Software will also be more important for steering in the future,” said Schebsdat. “It gives us many more opportunities to influence steering characteristics, which can be implemented on a model-specific basis for all platforms later on.” And the driver assistance systems such as Lane Assist and Travel Assist will also benefit from this steering system when the components enter series production.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com