The Volkswagen Group has made significant progress in its electric transformation in 2022. Despite supply constraints and temporary production stops, 572,100 all-electric vehicles were handed over to customers around the globe. Compared to 2021, this is a substantial increase of 26 percent. The BEV share of total deliveries thus reached 6.9 percent, up from 5.1 percent a year earlier. The Volkswagen Group remains the BEV market leader in its home market of Europe and reached the fourth position in this segment in the United States. The strongest increase came from China, were BEV deliveries were up by 68 percent y-o-y. Due to abovementioned challenges, overall global deliveries were down 7 percent on prior year to 8.3 million vehicles. In the second half of 2022, a slightly improved supply situation led to an increase of deliveries of 12 percent y-o-y. However, this could not make up for the losses of 22 percent y-o-y in the first half year. The Group’s order bank remains on a high level of 1.8 million vehicles in Western Europe alone, thereof 310,000 BEVs.

Hildegard Wortmann, Member of the Extended Executive Committee for Sales, said: “Our brands have shown a decent performance regarding deliveries in a very challenging environment last year. I am particularly pleased that our electric transformation gained further traction across the brands and that we reached our target share of around 7 to 8 percent for all-electric vehicles despite these headwinds. The high order bank is a clear proof that customers love our entire strong product portfolio. That gives us confidence for 2023 despite weakening macroeconomics and ongoing supply shortages. The latter are expected to improve step by step in the course of the year.”

The Volkswagen Group is in the midst of its transformation from a car manufacturer to a software-driven provider of sustainable mobility. The electrification of its model range is a cornerstone to achieve that goal and to have a carbon neutral balance sheet at latest by 2050. Despite numerous challenges in the past three years like semiconductor shortages and Covid-related lockdowns, the Group has pursued its electric path very consistently. The share of BEVs has been raised from 2.5 percent in 2020 to 5.1 percent in 2021 and then to 6.9 percent last year. In the course of 2022, additional sites in Emden, Hanover and Chattanooga started to produce BEVs. This year, the Group headquarters in Wolfsburg will follow. Therefore, the Group aims to reach a level of BEV deliveries of around 11 percent in 2023. This will be the base to achieve the medium term goal of around 20 percent in 2025. By 2030, every second Group vehicle delivered globally is expected to be all-electric.

In Europe, overall deliveries declined by 10.4 percent to 3,153,200 vehicles whereas BEVs were up by 13.4 percent to 352,000 units. The majority of 2,711,300 vehicles was shipped to Western Europe where the decline was less pronounced with 5.2 percent. BEVs were in high demand in this region and reached a share of 12.6 percent of all deliveries (2021: 10.5 percent). Thus, the Group remains market leader in this segment in Europe. The order bank in Western Europe remained high at 1.8 million vehicles - including 310,000 BEVs - due to supply constraints. In Germany, the Group’s home market, deliveries were up by 3.8 percent to 1,029,600 units. The BEV share reached a level of 11.6 percent (2021: 11.4 percent). Deliveries in Central- and Eastern Europe declined significantly by 32.9 percent to 441,900 vehicles due to the effects of the war in Ukraine.

In North America, 842,600 customers received their vehicles, a decline of 7.2 percent. The USA saw a similar decrease of 6.1 percent to 631,100 units. The BEVs on the contrary were up 18.8 percent to 44,200 units. That corresponds to rank #4 in the all-electric segment. The local BEV production in Chattanooga, which started in 2022, will provide additional capacity to the region to cater its customers’ demand for all-electric mobility.

The South American market showed a similar trend. It was down by 8.0 percent to 473,700 vehicles. Brazil, the region’s largest market, recorded deliveries of 337,400 units. This corresponds to a decline of 10.4 percent.

Asia-Pacific saw the smallest decline among the major regions with 2.7 percent. Overall, 3,514,000 vehicles were handed over to customers. China, the Group’s largest single market, showed a similar performance. Deliveries decreased by 3.6 percent to 3,184,500 units. After significant losses due to supply shortages and Covid-related lockdowns in the first half year, the Group’s deliveries recovered well in the second half and only slightly missed their prior year level. China was the biggest contributor to the Group’s global BEV increase with deliveries up by 68 percent to 155,700 units.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen continues to make rapid progress with the transformation to e-mobility: at around 330,000 units, worldwide deliveries of all-electric vehicles (Battery Electric Vehicles - BEVs) grew 23.6 percent year-on-year. Overall, Volkswagen brand deliveries of all drive types were slightly down on the previous year due to the strained supply situation: 4.56 million vehicles (-6.8 percent) were delivered to customers worldwide in 2022. The order backlog remains very high. In Europe, around 640,000 customers have placed orders for Volkswagen models across all drive types (+18 percent).

Imelda Labbé, Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales said: “We achieved a solid sales result in 2022 despite persistent supply bottlenecks. The pronounced growth in BEV models confirms that with our attractive product portfolio, we are on the right track to becoming the most desirable brand for sustainable mobility.” The roadmap is clear: with the ACCELERATE strategy, Volkswagen is stepping up the pace of its electric campaign with ten new electric models by 2026. Volkswagen already has the broadest portfolio of electric models. By 2026, the brand will have the right product in every segment, from the entry-level e-car with a target price of under €25,000 to the new flagship ID.7.

ID.4 is Volkswagen’s top electric world car

Volkswagen’s all-electric ID. models are meeting with a positive response on global automotive markets. With around 170,000 units delivered to customers in 2022, the ID.4 is the Volkswagen Group’s top electric world car.

In China, the company’s largest sales market, Volkswagen more than doubled deliveries of the all-electric models from the ID. family: 143,100 ID.3, ID.4 and ID.6 were handed over to customers there in 2022 (+102.9 percent).

There was also a major boost in sales in North America: in total, the company delivered 22,700 ID.4 (+27.7 percent) in the region.

With deliveries of around 8,900 units, the ID.4 was the bestselling electric car in Sweden. That makes an ID. model the top-selling BEV car in Sweden for the third year in a row (2020: ID.3; 2021: ID.4).

Electric mobility campaign: more than 580,000 cars based on the MEB delivered

Volkswagen has already reached a first milestone in its electric mobility campaign. Since the first ID.3 was handed over to a customer in September 2020, Volkswagen has delivered more than 580,000 models from the ID. family worldwide. The technical basis for the ID. models is the modular electric drive matrix (MEB). Last week, Volkswagen showcased the latest addition to the ID. family – a specially camouflaged ID.7 – at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. With the sedan, Volkswagen is expanding its electric portfolio into the upper middle class high-volume segment.

SUV trend continues

Despite a challenging market environment, Volkswagen delivered around 4.56 million vehicles across all drive types to customers in 2022 (-6.8 percent).

SUVs are the fastest-growing market segment. Volkswagen was quick to systematically adapt its portfolio to this trend. The share of SUVs in total deliveries has risen to 45 percent (+4 percent). In the USA, over 80 percent of Volkswagen’s deliveries are in the SUV segment. In Europe, the T-Roc is the best-selling vehicle in the SUV market.

Volkswagen expects 2023 to be another volatile and challenging year due to persistent semiconductor supply bottlenecks. The company nevertheless anticipates a gradual improvement in the supply situation, with production stabilizing as the year progresses. “We are doing our utmost to reduce delivery times for our customers still further and to lower the high order backlog as quickly as possible,” Board Member for Sales Labbé said.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Air conditioning systems are an integral part of modern cars and ensure pleasant temperatures in all seasons. Volkswagen goes one step further in the new ID.7 and for the first time uses an air conditioning system that performs faster cooling or heating of the vehicle interior before the start of a journey. Among other things, this is made possible by electronically controlled air vents that distribute the air throughout the vehicle interior as soon as the driver approaches with the key. The new, smart automated air conditioning system also reacts to voice commands and takes into account the position of the sun as well as individual user preferences. The result is an increase in comfort with which the new electric saloon will set standards in its class.

With a camouflaged concept vehicle, Volkswagen provided a first glimpse of the new ID.7 at the world’s largest consumer electronics show, the CES in Las Vegas. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Development: “With the ID.7, we are underlining our goal to offer intelligent technologies and customer-oriented innovations in the high-volume premium mid-size segment.”

“Smart air vents” react quickly and function like fans

The ID.7 can activate the air conditioning before passengers get into the vehicleThe vehicle interior is cooled on hot days and heated when it is cold. If the door is opened in conditions with high outside temperatures, smart air vents in the cockpit distribute the air quickly over a large area by means of dynamic horizontal movements. When the passengers are seated in the car, the air flow can beredirected straight at the body or used for indirect ventilation of the interior space, according to the preference. The ID.7 is the first Volkswagen model with such an intelligent control system.

Strong focus on user-friendly operation

The climate control function is located on the uppermost operating level of the new 38-centimetre (15-inch) infotainment display of the ID.7. This means that it is always visible and can be activated by simple tapof a finger. Using the clear air conditioning context menu, all smart air vents can be digitally controlled at the outlets. The strength and direction of air movements can be adjusted intuitively and saved individually. The temperature can be controlled by means of backlit touch sliders.

Digitally controlled air conditioning system reacts to voice commands

The digitally controlled air conditioning system can be activated by voice control. Special wishes are stored as “Smart Climates”. For example, a program is selected that activates the steering wheel heating if the command “Hello Volkswagen, my hands are cold” is spoken. This will initiate warm air directed at the hands on the steering wheel for around five minutes.

Air conditioning according to personal preferences

The individual user preferences are saved as “Personalisations” in the ID.7. This includes the settings made for the automatic air conditioning system. This is especially practical if the vehicle will be used by multiple drivers..

First VW model with detection of the sun’s position

When the automatic function is activated, the smart system reacts to its climatic surroundings. For example, a sensor in the area of the windscreen detects the incident angle of the sunlight in conditions with high outside temperatures and high solar intensity. If the sun is shining strongly onto one side of the vehicle, the ID.7 adapts the air conditioning to an even greater extent for the warmer zones: first towards the respective area of the vehicle interior, and then in a second step specifically towards the vehicle occupants.

Market launch of the ID.7 in 2023

Following the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.6 (only in China) and the ID. Buzz, the ID.7 will be the sixth model of the all-electric ID. family. After the ID.4, it will be the second global vehicle from Volkswagen based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB). The world premiere of the ID.7 is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023. The market launch of the electric saloon in China and Europe is planned for this year. North America will follow in 2024.

Where ranges are stated, the values for consumption and CO₂ emissions depend on the selected vehicle equipment.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The stage is set for the ID.7! At the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas between 5 and 8 January 2023, Volkswagen Group of America will showcase its first fully electric sedan based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB). It will be clad in smart camouflage, which uses unique technology and multi-layered paintwork to create light effects on parts of the vehicle. This is an interactive feature and symbolizes the next step in the digitalization of the future flagship model of the ID. family. The ID. AERO concept vehicle initially presented in China already provided a preview of the new model, which embodies an aerodynamic design concept and is able to achieve ranges of up to 700 kilometers (WLTP). After a six-year break, Volkswagen Group of America is returning to the CES – the world’s largest trade show for electronics – with a very special product.

“With the new ID.7, we are extending our electric model range into the upper segments. The sedan will offer top-class technology and quality. The ID.7 is one of ten new electric models that we are planning to launch by 2026. Our goal? To deliver suitable products for our customers in every single segment,” says Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

The ID.7 offers an innovative climate and comfort experience

With its latest model based on the MEB, VW has responded to customer feedback and improved the user experience in the relevant areas. A host of innovations come as standard in the ID.7:

• the new display concept
• the augmented reality head-up display
• a 38-centimeter (15-inch) screen
• new air conditioning controls integrated into the first level of the infotainment system
• illuminated touch sliders

The new air conditioning concept with intelligent vents offers a number of functions. For instance, the ID.7 can detect when the driver is approaching based on their key and will already start to cool the interior on hot summer days or heat the interior on cold days before the driver gets into the vehicle. Newly designed “Smart Air Vents” control the flow of air and move dynamically to distribute the air over large areas as quickly as possible. If there are passengers in the car, the air can be directed straight to the body or ventilate the interior indirectly. These functions are visible at all times on the new large display and can be activated and saved individually for each user. Special requests can be activated using voice commands. If the user says “Hello Volkswagen, my hands are cold!”, the ID.7 responds by starting the steering wheel heating function. At the same time, warm air is directed towards the hands.

Unusual camouflage concept is interactive

At the CES in Las Vegas, VW will show the intelligence of the ID.7 in a quite special way. The camouflaged sedan features a digital design with unique paintwork, which lights up the ID.7 interactively. 40 layers of paint have been applied, of which some are conductive while others have insulating properties. A total of 22 areas of the vehicle can be controlled separately and are electrified below the top layer of paint (electroluminescence) so that they light up. If all this is connected to a sound system, the rhythm is visualized by illumination of individual areas.

The QR codes on the hood and on both sides provide an interface between the physical and digital worlds. The entire camouflage also takes the QR code theme further and thus hides the contours of the final production vehicle.

MEB permits realization of an aerodynamic design and a generous interior concept

In terms of its style, the ID.7 follows the design language of the fully electric ID. model family. The characteristic features of the sedan include the aerodynamic front section and roof, which both help to reduce energy consumption and increase the range. Air intakes located in the front end guide the air flowing through them down the sides of the vehicle to the rear in a targeted way. They therefore form an air curtain, which calms the air flow at the sides of the vehicle. The roof slopes to the rear and thus contributes to the very good drag coefficient of the ID.7. The range is up to around 700 kilometers2 (WLTP).

Like all other models in the ID. family, the ID.7 is based on the MEB of the Volkswagen Group. The advantages of the modular matrix with short overhangs and long wheelbase (2.97 meters) provide benefits for the interior. In the ID.7, this results in the character of a luxury sedan with an especially spacious feel.

Volkswagen’s electric mobility campaign: 500,000 vehicles based on the MEB already delivered

With its ID.7 sedan, Volkswagen is expanding its successful fully electric ID. family into the upper middle class of the high-volume segment and advancing its electric mobility campaign with the ACCELERATE strategy. VW has already reached a first milestone: Since the first ID.3 models were handed over to customers in September 2020, Volkswagen has delivered 500,000 vehicles from its ID. family worldwide through its subsidiaries – around one year earlier than planned and despite the ongoing difficulties in the supply chain.

After the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.6 (only in China) models and the new ID. Buzz, the ID.7 will be the sixth model from the ID. family and is Volkswagen’s second global car to be based on the MEB after the ID.4. It is planned to launch the electric sedan in the three primary markets of China, Europe and North America. The ID.7 for the European market will be produced at the Volkswagen Emden plant. After the ID.4, it will be the second model based on the modular electric drive matrix to be built in Emden.

Where ranges are stated, the values for consumption and CO₂ emissions depend on the selected vehicle equipment.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com