German car giant Volkswagen’s first electric vehicles in Australia are earmarked for local showrooms next year, with prices targeted to start from $60,000.
Volkswagen is due to commence production of five new electric vehicles for Australia next year – the ID.3 hatchback, ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs, and ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo vans.
After years of delays – as Australia was shuffled down the priority queue due to a lack of strict emissions regulations like those in Europe – the new Volkswagen electric vehicles are due to open for orders, and begin production sometime next year.
Planned to be sold and serviced at all 100-plus VW dealerships in Australia, the company says it is targeting pricing “under $60,000” for the ID.3 – which could undercut its Cupra Born twin, at $59,990 plus on-road costs as of March 2023.
Volkswagen has previously indicated targeted pricing in line with the high-grade Tiguan 162TSI R-Line for the ID.4, at about $60,000 plus on-road costs, while the ID.5 would be closer to a Tiguan R at $70,000 plus on-road costs.
Likely to be the top seller is the Tiguan-sized ID.4 medium SUV, alongside its ID.5 coupe-inspired twin, which are expected to go on sale towards the middle of next year – though exact timing is yet to be announced by VW Australia.
This is later than the “target” of a late 2023 start of production given by Volkswagen Australia for the ID.4 and ID.5 in previous announcements.
Buyers in Europe can choose from a range of models, from entry-level versions with 350km of claimed driving range and rear-wheel drive, to flagship versions with more than 500km of driving range, and optional all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen Australia said in a media release local ID.4s and ID.5s would offer “500km-plus range”, which suggests larger battery packs may make up much of the local line-up.
The ID.4 and ID.5 are due to be joined by the Golf-sized ID.3 hatchback, which is scheduled to go on sale in Australia in facelifted form next year.
Volkswagen says in its media release the ID.3 will “pursue maximum attainability” and target pricing “under $60,000 in order to maximise national and state-based electric vehicle incentives.”
In Europe there is a choice of 58kWh and 77kWh battery packs with up to 550km of claimed driving range, connected to a 150kW rear electric motor.
A high-performance GTX version is expected to be unveiled in Europe later this year, with rear-wheel drive and a power output closer to 200kW.
It’s unclear which versions would come to Australia, however there could be a shorter-range model to achieve the pricing target – while the GTX would be a natural fit given the popularity of performance Golf GTI and R models in Australia.
Following the ID.3 is due to be the ID. Buzz – the rebirth of the iconic 1950s Kombi – which is scheduled to commence production at the end of 2024 for showroom arrivals likely in early 2025, in people mover and Cargo van forms.
“Upgraded product such as the more premium ID.3 and a 500km-plus range for ID.4 and ID.5 will gel with our ability to sell these vehicles nationwide, no matter which dealership is closest to you,” Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles director Michal Szaniecki said in a media statement.
“We can confirm the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 will both start production and go on sale next year, so our message for customers thinking about switching to a [battery-electric vehicle] is this – we’re here in 2024,” Mr Szaniecki said.
Volkswagen Australia has previously announced it expects sales of its electric vehicles will overtake petrol-powered models by 2028 – or within four years of the first model’s arrival.
“The volume aspiration for 2024 we are looking at is 6500 [electric vehicles] as part of the sales mix,” Volkswagen Australia general manager of product and marketing Ralph Beckmann told Australian media late last year.
“And from 2025 to 2030 we plan to sell 150,000 [electric vehicles] throughout this period. That means by 2028, based on current planning, [electric vehicles] will be overtaking [petrol and diesel] models in our portfolio in Australia.”
Beyond the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID. Buzz, Volkswagen in Europe has confirmed plans for an ID.7 sedan and wagon this year, and the ID.2 city hatchback in 2025.
However, the ID.7 isn’t expected to come to Australia – though the smaller hatchback is on the local division’s wish list, with a targeted price in Europe of $AU40,000.
For more details on what to expect from Volkswagen’s electric cars in Australia, click the links below.
MORE: Volkswagen ID.3 facelift unveiled, due in Australia next year
MORE: Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5 electric SUVs: 5000 examples for Australia in first year
MORE: Volkswagen ID. Buzz confirmed for Australia
MORE: Electric-car sales to overtake petrol and diesel by 2028 – Volkswagen Australia
MORE: Volkswagen ID.2 electric city car on wish list for Australia, ID. Aero sedan unlikely
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