Category: Volkswagen

May 16

FAW-Volkswagen Gears Up for SUV Expansion in Tianjin with $324 Million Investment

Strategic Expansion in Tianjin

FAW-Volkswagen, a key joint venture between Volkswagen Group and its Chinese partners, is set to boost its production capabilities with a significant $324 million investment in its Tianjin plant. This funding is earmarked for the launch of three new SUV models, enhancing the company’s competitive edge in one of the world’s largest automotive markets. The initiative reflects the joint venture’s commitment to expanding its portfolio and capitalizing on the growing demand for SUVs in China.

Embracing New Energy Vehicles

Among the three upcoming models, two are designated as new energy vehicles (NEVs), including both pure electric and plug-in hybrid variants. These environmentally friendly options are scheduled to commence full commercial production by 2026, aligning with global trends towards sustainable automotive solutions. The new SUVs will be marketed under the prestigious Audi and Volkswagen brands, a move that was solidified following strategic discussions at the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area management committee meeting with FAW-Volkswagen leadership.

FAW-Volkswagen’s Market Dominance and Partnerships

The FAW-VW joint venture is primarily owned by the state-run FAW Group, which holds a 60% stake, while Volkswagen AG and other Volkswagen entities share the remaining interest. Last year, FAW-VW achieved a 5% increase in vehicle sales, reaching a total of 1,910,200 units, including imported Audi models, thereby cementing its position as the largest automaker in China that’s partly foreign-owned. Volkswagen continues to expand its influence in China through other significant partnerships, including a 50% stake in SAIC Volkswagen Automotive and a similar share in JAC Volkswagen Automotive, underscoring its strategic commitment to the Chinese market.

May 16

FAW-Volkswagen Announces $324 Million Investment for New SUV Production in Tianjin

Major Investment in Tianjin’s Automotive Sector

FAW-Volkswagen Automobile Co., Ltd. has revealed plans to invest over 2.3 billion yuan (approximately 324 million USD) to begin the production of three new SUV models at its Tianjin facility in northern China. This significant investment was cemented with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area management committee and FAW-Volkswagen, a joint venture between China FAW Group Co., Ltd. and the German automaker Volkswagen. The production is set to start in 2026, emphasizing the company’s strategic focus on expanding its electric vehicle lineup.

Focus on New Energy Vehicles and Premium Branding

Out of the three SUV models, two will be classified as new energy vehicles, highlighting FAW-Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation and sustainable transportation solutions. These models will feature the prestigious Audi and Volkswagen brands, ensuring they meet high standards of quality and appeal to discerning consumers. This move aligns with the broader industry trend towards sustainability and positions FAW-Volkswagen as a key player in the future of electric and intelligent connected vehicles.

Impact on Tianjin’s Automotive Industry

The introduction of these SUV models is expected to significantly boost Tianjin’s automotive industry, particularly in the areas of new energy and intelligent connected vehicles. According to Hong Shicong, director of the management committee for the development area, this initiative will drive high-quality advancement in the region’s automotive sector. By positioning Tianjin as a hub for automotive innovation and sustainability, FAW-Volkswagen’s investment is set to contribute substantially to the future growth and development of the local economy.

Feb 18

Volkswagen Golf Crowned Best Urban Car Under $50K for 2024

The 2024 Drive Car of the Year: Best Urban Car Under $50K

The 2024 Drive Car of the Year award for the Best Urban Car under $50K has been claimed by the Volkswagen Golf, making it a standout in Drive Car of the Year history. Despite the growing popularity of large SUVs and dual-cab utes, compact urban cars continue to attract buyers looking for a balance of technology, space, efficiency, and style. This year’s competition featured a diverse range of vehicles, from rugged city SUVs to sleek electric hatchbacks, highlighting the expanding options in the urban car category.

The Competitive Landscape

In a field of over 40 contenders, the Volkswagen Golf stood out against competitors such as the MG 4 and BYD Dolphin, both of which are electric hatchbacks. The Golf, already a two-time winner of the Drive Car of the Year Best Small Car award, competed strongly with these finalists, all of which were evaluated for their compact city-friendly proportions, user-friendliness, and overall value. The $50,000 price bracket demanded a vehicle that excelled in driving experience, comfort, and style, with the Golf meeting these criteria exceptionally well.

Why the Volkswagen Golf Won

The Volkswagen Golf emerged victorious thanks to its smooth and refined driving experience, stylish and comfortable cabin, and comprehensive safety features. Measuring just over 4.2 meters long, the Golf offers a perfect balance of size for urban environments—spacious enough for occasional trips but compact enough for city streets. With a well-designed interior that accommodates both passengers and cargo comfortably, the Golf’s practicality and comfort, combined with its impressive technology and safety offerings, made it the top choice for the Best Urban Car under $50K award.

Key Features and Improvements

Priced from $39,190, the Golf offers a range of features including twin 10.25-inch interior screens, tri-zone air conditioning, and advanced safety technology, making it a strong value for its price. While it remains one of the more expensive options in its category for maintenance, its efficiency with a claimed fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km stands out. Volkswagen’s commitment to safety, with features like the new centre airbag, and ongoing updates promise continued excellence in urban driving.

In summary, the Volkswagen Golf’s blend of refinement, comfort, and value solidifies its place as the premier urban car under $50K for 2024. Its ability to meet the diverse needs of urban drivers, along with its strong performance and practical features, ensures that it remains a top choice in the competitive compact car market.

Dec 18

Volkswagen Reintroduces Physical Buttons Amidst Digital Pushback

Volkswagen’s Pivot from Touchscreen to Tactile Controls

As Volkswagen continues its drive towards vehicle electrification across global markets, it’s also reevaluating its interior design philosophy to align with consumer preferences. Recent feedback has steered the German automaker away from an all-touch interface towards reintroducing physical buttons. This shift is evident in their new ID.2all concept, which integrates classic tactile controls with modern digital interfaces, marking a significant pivot in design strategy.

Consumer Feedback Spurs Design Reversal

The move to touchscreen controls in recent models met with considerable consumer resistance, prompting Volkswagen to rethink its approach. The integration of touch-only controls, particularly in critical functions managed via the infotainment system and touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons, received negative feedback for being less intuitive and user-friendly. In response, Volkswagen is reintroducing physical buttons starting with their ID.2all concept, showcasing a blend of traditional and digital controls to enhance user experience.

Future of Volkswagen Interiors: Balancing Tradition and Innovation

Volkswagen’s interior design overhaul reflects a broader industry trend acknowledging the importance of user-friendly vehicle interfaces. The ID.2all concept features a row of physical buttons for HVAC controls beneath its touchscreen, a manual volume knob, and other essential controls, emphasizing accessibility and safety. These changes not only address usability concerns but also signify Volkswagen’s commitment to evolving with its customer base while respecting the functional legacy of classic car design.

Dec 18

New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV teased: entry-level electric crossover coming in 2026

Volkswagen has given us a first look at the new ID. 2all SUV, a jacked-up version of the entry-level electric hatchback we saw earlier this year. Read on for all you need to know.

  • New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV teased
  • Entry-level electric SUV
  • Design cues from the ID. 2all hatchback
  • Single motor powering the front wheels
  • Could have over 260 miles of range
  • On sale in 2026

This is the new Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV, a small electric crossover which will go on sale in 2026.

It’ll share plenty of parts with the ID. 2all hatchback which was revealed earlier this year, meaning it’ll have front-wheel-drive and could put out 226hp.

New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV design

This teaser image is your only look at the new Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV and, while it doesn’t reveal too much, you can see a few of the design cues.

It looks as though it’ll have a similar sleek LED headlight design to the hatchback, as well as the same pointy nose. You can expect to see the same full-width light bar as that car as well.

Looking at the side profile, it appears to have a pretty squared-off rear end with a sporty-looking roof spoiler, and you can see the same three-line graphics as you’ll find on the Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV motors and batteries

While there’s no official stats for the new ID. 2all SUV, it’ll be based on the same underpinnings as the hatchback. This means you can expect to see similar numbers to that car.

Volkswagen has confirmed that this new electric SUV will be front-wheel drive, meaning it’s likely to use the same 226hp motor as the hatchback. That car can sprint from 0-60mph in under 7.0 seconds, so expect this larger SUV version to take just over that figure.

As for the battery, there’s no word on the size just yet but the ID. 2all hatchback can do up to 280 miles on a charge. With this being a larger SUV, you can expect to get around 260 miles of range.

When can I buy a new Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV?

Volkswagen will whip the covers off this new electric SUV in 2026, so you can expect sales to start towards the end of that year. It’ll almost certainly fetch a premium over the hatchback, with a starting price of around £30,000 likely.

Nov 20

Volkswagen’s APP550 Electric Motor Bottleneck Spreads In Europe

The Volkswagen Group’s problem with the all-new APP550 drive units for MEB-based electric cars might be bigger than initially thought.

According to Handelsblatt (via Electrive), the production volume of the new APP550 rear-wheel drive unit (210 kW / 286 PS and 550 Nm) is significantly limited.

The constraints are so big that it already affected the Zwicaku and Emden plants in Germany, causing Zwickau’s production halt of Volkswagen ID.4, Volkswagen ID.5, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron. Soon, the production will be limited at Skoda’s plant in Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic too, which means fewer Skoda Enyaq iVs. Handelsblatt reports that a Skoda spokeswoman confirmed that the shortage of APP550 units will affect the Skoda Enyaq iV in November and December. The Cupra Tavascan (production in China for Europe) could be affected too.

The only good news is that the U.S. factory for the Volkswagen ID.4 and Chinese production of the MEB-based models for the local market continue to be unaffected.

The European models, equipped with the original APP310 electric motor (150 kW and 310 Nm), can be produced without disruption (although they are disrupted because of insufficient demand for the ID.3 and Cupra Born).

According to Handelsblatt, two people familiar with the matter confirmed that the issue with the APP550 is related to the ramp-up of the production line: “According to the insiders, the problem lies with a system that produces stators for the APP550. The plant can currently only reach around 30 percent of the technically promised capacity. Over 50 VW employees are working in a task force to rectify the problem.”

There are also reports that Volkswagen is trying to redirect the available APP550 motors to the Emden plant to at least limit the disruption of the ID.7 and ID.4 production there, but even in Emden, there was a five-day break.

Well, the new APP550 electric motors are not only more powerful than the original APP310 but also more efficient to improve the driving range. However, it’s not good news that Volkswagen Group can’t produce enough of them.

With the limited APP550 supply, the Volkswagen Group might easily lose a five-digit production number of the MEB-based cars in Q4. It would undercut the company’s all-electric car sales results, further increasing the distance to Tesla and BYD.

Nov 20

Volkswagen India Reveals Teaser for Special Edition Virtus Sedan and Taigun SUV: Launching November 21

Exciting Sneak Peek at Volkswagen’s New Sound Editions

Volkswagen India has created buzz by teasing the upcoming Sound Edition variants of their Virtus sedan and Taigun SUV, scheduled for unveiling on November 21. These special editions promise to bring a fresh aesthetic and exciting new features to the popular models. The enhancements are anticipated to elevate the driving experience, offering both style and substance.

Anticipated Features and Upgrades

The Sound Editions are expected to showcase distinctive cosmetic updates that will set them apart from the standard models. Along with eye-catching design elements, these variants are likely to include advanced features aimed at enhancing comfort and driving pleasure. This launch is generating considerable excitement among enthusiasts eager to see how Volkswagen blends innovation with their classic design ethos.

Aug 20

Volkswagen ID. Buzz Mini Camper: Transform Your Electric Van with Bed and Kitchen Features

Introducing the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Mini Camper Package

Volkswagen is set to elevate the camper experience with its ID. Buzz, expected to hit the U.S. market next year. At a recent regional show in Long Island, New York, Volkswagen showcased a European model featuring the innovative Ququq Bus Box 4 camper kit. This package transforms the ID. Buzz into a mini motorhome, complete with a cozy foldable mattress, a compact kitchen setup, and essential camping gear.

The Ququq Bus Box 4 kit includes a foldable mattress, two burner gas stove, water canisters, and stainless steel bowls, all designed to fit snugly within the ID. Buzz’s ample trunk space. The kit’s design, featuring waterproof materials and a sturdy construction, ensures durability and practicality. While an electric stovetop would be ideal for an electric vehicle, the current setup provides a functional alternative for outdoor cooking.

Features and Availability

The Bus Box 4’s quick installation process allows users to convert their ID. Buzz into a comfortable camper in minutes. The spacious trunk, combined with the panoramic glass roof, offers a unique stargazing experience. As Volkswagen continues to evaluate accessory options for the ID. Buzz LWB, the Ququq Bus Box 4 is anticipated to be available in the U.S. early next year, priced around $4,500. This versatile package promises to enhance the camping experience for electric vehicle enthusiasts.

Jul 21

Nissan Ariya vs. Volkswagen ID.4: Which EV Is More Popular?

The Nissan Ariya and the Volkswagen ID.4 are two of the most recognizable cars on the road. Both of these electric vehicles offer spacious interiors and sleek designs, and are classified as mainstream compact electric SUVs.

With similar pricing, technology, and features, it is easy to see that the vehicles are extremely similar to one another, and shoppers who are considering both cars might be a little confused over which one to ultimately choose. So, which is more popular so far this year—the Nissan Ariya or the Volkswagen ID.4?

The first quarter of 2023 saw much higher sales for the ID.4 than the Nissan Ariya

Q1 2023 sales for the Nissan Ariya weren’t exactly stellar, with only 2,860 units sold, according to Nissan News. Q1 2023 saw sales of 9,758 units for the Volkswagen ID.4, and according to the website Green Car Congress, this is a 254.2% over Q1 2022, in which the ID.4 sold only 2,755 units, representing only 4.2% of new sales.

This trend has continued into Q2 of 2023, as the ID.4 again outsold the Ariya. Year-to-date sales figures paint the best picture. So far this year the ID.4 has sold 16,448 units compared to 5,194 for the Ariya.

What is the reason for the difference in sales?

Those who are in the market for a new compact electric SUV may be wondering what the reason is for the glaring difference in sales between the Ariya and the Volkswagen ID.4.

It turns out that the ID.4 has a slightly lower starting price at $40,290 as compared to the Ariya, which starts at $44,525. Both offer similar ranges, with the ID.4 will achieve up to 275 miles while the Ariya gets up to 272 miles.

The Nissan Ariya and the Volkswagen ID.4 both have seating for five, and the Ariya boasts a maximum horsepower RPM of 238, and maximum torque RPM of 221. The ID.4 has a maximum horsepower of 295, and maximum torque of 339. Both vehicles are all-wheel drive, and the features of the cars are similar as well.

Drivers will find that when it comes to the Ariya, Apply CarPlay, in-depth navigation, and Android Auto are all standard. Cooled front seats, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with memory function, and LED headlights, tail lights, daytime running lights, and fog lights are just some of the available features for this SUV.

The ID.4 offers a standard 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, and 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and memory settings. Just like the Ariya, this SUV has a list of available features, such as heated front, rear seats, and steering wheel, wireless phone charging⁠, three-zone automatic climate control, and Volkswagen ID. Cockpit digital instrument display.

Is Nissan experiencing a supply issue?

Despite the comparability of the two SUVs, it appears that the Volkswagen ID.4 certainly has the edge. This raises the question as to whether Nissan is experiencing a supply issue which may account for the lower sales.

This may be the case, since according to CarBuzz, there is a lack of inventory. One dealer expressed their thoughts by saying “Why can’t we produce the Ariya in any acceptable volume?” He added that “Customers are walking in saying, ‘I’m sold, let me buy one.’ But we can’t tell them when it’s coming.”

This is still the beginning of the story for both models. Time will tell which electric SUV ends up being more popular in the long run.

Jul 21

2024 Volkswagen Atlas: A Fresh Look with a New Engine and Design Enhancements

Volkswagen’s Revamp for 2024

Volkswagen is shaking things up for the 2024 Atlas by dropping the V6 engine in favor of a new turbocharged four-cylinder that offers 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This updated engine, which replaces the previous V6 and turbo four-cylinder, provides similar power with improved fuel efficiency, ranging from 10.8 to 11.5 liters per 100 kilometers combined. Although the Atlas won’t feature a hybrid or electric variant this year, Volkswagen plans to explore these options for future models.

Design and Driving Experience

The redesigned Atlas boasts a refined interior with upgraded materials and enhanced comfort features. The new cabin design eliminates traditional controls for a more modern, touch-sensitive interface, which, while sleek, might be less user-friendly. The Atlas continues to offer a spacious and comfortable ride, although some drivers may find the new controls and engine performance adjustments take some getting used to. With prices starting at $49,995 for the Atlas and $48,895 for the Atlas Cross Sport, these models will soon be available at Canadian dealerships.