Volkswagen can’t seem to get out of its way those days. Further delays are expected for Volkswagen’s EVs, adding its successor ID. 4 and a new electric SUV from Porsche, as software issues persist.
Software has been one of the biggest hurdles VW has faced in years. VW’s struggles have led to the delay of highly anticipated electric vehicles, such as the Porsche Macan Electric and Audi Q6 e-tron.
Although both models are presented now (at least a year later than planned), Volkswagen is still having trouble getting on track.
According to a new report by the German magazine Manager Magazin, delays at Volkswagen continue and several cars have had to back off.
The report claims that the component of VW’s new SSP platform probably won’t arrive until late 2029. Volkswagen had already postponed the platform years ago and is now delayed by another 15 months. The software on your Cariad software unit may not be up to date on time.
The delay means that VW’s next-generation electric vehicles, such as its successor ID. 4 and Porsche’s new electric SUV, will possibly not be introduced until 2029 at the earliest.
The new Porsche is expected to be a seven-seater top-of-the-range. Dubbed the “K1 SUV,” the new electric SUV “will complete our style at the top,” according to Albrecht Reimold, Porsche’s product manager.
Porsche’s SUV is expected to compete with Range Rover’s upcoming ultra-luxury vehicle brands, such as Ferrari.
Meanwhile, VW will introduce an updated edition of its MEB platform (MEB) in 2026. It will be used more than expected until the SSP is available.
VW’s Cariad has been in trouble for years. This is the biggest headache for former VW Group CEO Herbert Diess. Some even criticize him for his departure.
Diess created Cariad in 2020 to close the generation gap with Tesla and force its next-generation electric vehicles. Volkswagen has hired several industry leaders, adding former Tesla and Rivian executives, to turn things around.
Volkswagen has announced that it will invest up to $5 billion in Rivian to form a joint venture. The new joint venture is expected to integrate Rivian’s software expertise into VW models.
Volkswagen is already lagging behind as the industry goes electric. The automaker’s EV sales fell by 8% year-on-year in the first part of 2024 (317,200 vs. 321,600).
As a German who works in the automotive industry, I can tell you that you have to be VERY careful about what you think of the “Manager Magazin”. They have a history of reporting – how can I say this diplomatically?- participating in the VW Group’s internal wars and spreading false information to the public in struggles for money and influence.
It is well known that VW product cycles follow a 4-year pattern, from engineering to production, facelift and end of production. So I find it very difficult to blame “software delays” on a product that might not have even started development. . And it’s hard to criticize Cariad for the products that hit the market even before Cariad was founded.
Worse, VW plans to close its first factory in Europe. VW may close Audi’s meeting plant in Brussels, where the Q8 e-tron is made. The move comes as Audi’s EV sales fell 11% in the second quarter.
VW sold 17,900 Audi Q8 e-trons in the first part of 2024, up from 19,500 last year. Volkswagen’s best-selling electric cars in the first part of the year included the ID. 4 and ID. 5 (86,800), ID. 3 (66,200) and Audi Q4 e-tron (52,100).
With more delays in the electric vehicle sector, will Volkswagen fall even further to Tesla and others? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Source: Automobilwoche, Manager Magazin
Peter Johnson covers the automotive industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is a seasoned investor, money writer, and electric vehicle enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, basically Tesla, is one of the main reasons why he pursued a career in investments. . If he doesn’t tell you about his latest discoveries in the 10K, you can locate him enjoying the outdoors or exercising.