In a bid to expand its global production network for electric vehicles, Volkswagen commenced the production of its all-electric ID.4 in Emden. Besides, Chattanooga and Hanover will also commence EV production later this year, the company noted.
Emden becomes the second plant in Germany for the company to produce the ID.4 besides Zwickau. The EV is currently being produced at the Anting and Foshan facilities in China.
The Emden facility is the first site for electric mobility in Lower Saxony for the company, and it plans to invest a total of €21 billion in Lower Saxony up to 2026 and make the Federal State Germany’s centre for electric mobility.
The company said six new production halls and five new conveyor bridges, and logistics buildings over 125,000 square meters have been created as part of the plant’s conversion.
Ralf Brandstätter, CEO, Volkswagen, said, “With our clear commitment to the site, we aim to show that cost-effectiveness and competitiveness are not only possible in the region, but that we can even enhance them lastingly.”
Apart from the ID.4, the new plant will also make the AERO B2 next year. Additionally, production of the ID. Buzz will commence this year at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover.
It will be joined from 2023 on by the ID.3 made in Wolfsburg, while a further electric vehicle, including the Trinity3, will roll off the assembly line starting in 2026, the company said.
Gerardo Scarpino, Deputy Chairman, General Works Council, said, “Electric mobility is no longer a distant goal – it’s becoming a reality for our colleagues at more and more plants here.”
The Group is also said to be investing in Braunschweig, Salzgitter and Kassel, among other things, in further expansion of the existing MEB production of battery systems, rotors/stators and electric motors.
Christian Vollmer, Member of Board of Management responsible for Production and Logistics, Volkswagen, said, “The consistent expansion of the production network is key for the success of our global electric offensive. With the knowledge and experience gained in Emden, we will be able to drive the transformation of other plants quickly and efficiently.”
The company aims to produce 1.2 million units of all-electric vehicles a year based on the MEB in the future at its sites in Europe, the US and China in CY22.
It added that 163,000 units of the ID.4 have been delivered globally to date since its launch in early 2021, including 30,000 units delivered in Q1 2022.