VW seeks partner for PowerCo and delays ID. Golf production start

At Volkswagen, two key electric models are set to launch later than expected. According to the German Handelsblatt, production of the eagerly awaited electric versions of the Golf hatchback and the T-Roc compact SUV will now start only in 2030 at the Wolfsburg plant.

That means another delay for the all-electric ID. Golf, originally scheduled for 2028, then shifted to 2029. The ID. Roc, previously planned for 2029, will also be pushed back to 2030. Under the new plan, the ID. Roc will roll off the line first in summer 2030 as the debut model on the new SSP platform – followed by the ID. Golf.

Cost pressure and unresolved production issues

Handelsblatt cites several reasons for the delay: high cost pressure at VW, for one. CEO Oliver Blume announced savings of €15 billion last year – and the target will be even higher this year. While VW wants to invest in new platforms and plant conversions, cash is tight during the transformation. “We can only spend the money once,” the paper quotes a management insider as saying. Lower-than-expected EV sales and unresolved production questions are also among the reasons.

The rescheduling of ID. Golf and ID. Roc production appears to be part of a chain reaction. The combustion-engine Golf was originally supposed to move from Wolfsburg to Mexico in 2027. But according to an insider, the “optimal timing” for this shift has yet to be found. Preparations for SSP assembly in Wolfsburg can only begin once Golf production has moved abroad.

ID.3 and Cupra Born to move to Wolfsburg later

In turn, production of the ID.3 and Cupra Born, which was supposed to shift from Zwickau to Wolfsburg in 2027 to bridge the gap until the ID. Golf and ID. Roc arrive, will now also be delayed. Under VW’s new naming strategy, the ID.3 will likely become the ID. Golf later on.

Clarity is not expected until Volkswagen’s annual planning round in November, which allocates production across the Group’s plants for the next five years. But this planning round could itself be delayed, not least because Audi must first clarify its plans for a possible US plant. Questions also remain regarding the new SSP platform, which will underpin the ID. Golf and ID. Roc. Wolfsburg managers are still weighing whether the platform should allow for a range extender in the European market.

Partner sought for PowerCo

Meanwhile, there is news on VW’s strategy to sell divisions or bring in external partners. Most notably, VW has officially confirmed for the first time that it will “open the ownership structure to external partners” for its battery unit PowerCo. The Porsche-Piëch family, the company’s main shareholder, reportedly pushed for this move. PowerCo is currently building three cell factories in Salzgitter, Spain and Canada, and will supply VW’s unified cell in future.

VW also confirmed plans to open the ownership structure of its robotaxi unit ADMT/Moia, after rumours emerged in July. A full divestment could be on the table for Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions), the Augsburg-based supplier of ship engines and power plant turbines. VW has reportedly mandated Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to find a buyer. The sale of Everllence could bring in around €5 billion.

handelsblatt.com, bloomberg.com

This article was first published by Florian Treiß for electrive’s German edition.