VW to begin ID.4 production in the USA early
VW plans to start series production of the ID.4 at its US plant in Chattanooga in July and to bring the vehicles to dealers in “significant quantities” from September. That would be several months earlier than previously planned.
At the beginning of the year, VW still said that the series production of the ID.4 in the US would start in autumn. This is what North America boss Scott Keogh told the US broadcaster CNBC when setting ID.4 production in Chattanooga to start in September or October. According to Keogh, the plant is expected to reach a production capacity of up to 10,000 ID.4s per month once it is fully operational with three shifts. Until now, ID.4s sold in the US have been built in Zwickau.
Even with the early start of series production, the workforce and production facilities should be well prepared. As reported, pre-series production has been underway in Chattanooga since August 2021.
The ID.4 built in Chattanooga will differ slightly from the European model. Among other things, cells produced in Georgia by SK Innovation will be used instead of cells from LG Energy Solution. It remains to be seen whether the other cells will have an influence on the technical data – for example in the charging curve or power output.
Keogh also confirmed plans for a second plant in the US and a battery factory, but without giving details. Both could reportedly be built near the current plant in Chattanooga. Keogh told CNBC that no decision had yet been made, but that the company was actively looking for suitable sites.
According to information from the end of April, VW Group CEO Herbert Diess is determined to strengthen the US business. In March, Keogh had already indicated that 90 per cent of VW’s portfolio for North America would also be built in North America by 2030. Another plant in North America alongside Chattanooga and Puebla in Mexico would be very helpful.
Meanwhile, VW has opened its previously announced Battery Engineering Lab (BEL) in Chattanooga, which will be used to test and optimise batteries for all of the manufacturer’s electric cars in the American market. The facility on the site of the existing vehicle plant had been under construction since the end of 2020.
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