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.

Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production ID.3
Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production ID.3
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Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of the new electric car ID.3

  • Transformation of Zwickau to a pure e-car plant is right on schedule
  • Production of the ID.3
  • will start as scheduled at the end of the year
  • Preparations for start-up will enter pivotal phase in mid-June
  • Volkswagen CEO Diess: “Zwickau can become a model for transformation in our industry.”

Conversion of the vehicle factory in Zwickau to the largest production site for electric mobility in Europe is right on schedule. The members of Volkswagen’s Group and Brand Boards of Management, as well as the Group Works Council, were able to see that for themselves at today’s site symposium for all three locations in Saxony held at Zwickau. The focus was on preparations for start-up of the new ID.3 and building the expertise required for that. More than 200 pre-production vehicles of the ID.3 have already been manufactured successfully. The first ID. production vehicles are to roll off the assembly line at the end of 2019. Only e-cars will be built at Zwickau by the end of 2020 – up to 1,500 a day for Volkswagen and other Group brands.

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