German automotive giant Volkswagen is in the midst of a very up and down news cycle, announcing big success with the release of the ID. Polo EV and launching the new electric ID. Cross at the same as it considers massive cost cuts because of its inability to compete with Chinese car makers.
Volkswagen officially unveiled the ID. Polo, an all-electric version of one of the brand’s most successful models, in late April, announcing that pre-sales for the 155 kW, 52 kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery variant would begin immediately.
It now says pre-sales of the ID. Polo with the 52 kWh battery have already hit 25,000, and a second variant with a smaller 37 kWh is now entering pre-sales
European pricing for the ID. Polo starts at €24,995 (around $A41,000 at time of writing) for the 37 kWh Trend variant, or €29,194 for the 37 kWh Life and Style specifications.
Volkswagen also announced last week the world premiere of the new ID. Cross, an all-electric compact SUV that will begin from an entry-level price of €28,000 (around $A46,000).
The ID. Cross will eventually mimic the ID. Polo in terms of battery and power specifications, delivering output levels of 85 kW, 99 kW, and 155 kW, and a driving range of up to 427km (WLTP). Fast charging up to 90 kW for the 37 kWh battery and 105 kW for the 52 kWh battery will enable the ID. Cross to be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in around 23 or 24 minutes, respectively.
“The ID. Cross brings together technological expertise, clean design, impressive, intricate solutions and genuine all-rounder qualities – all for excellent value for money,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand.
“These are ideal conditions for a new success story from Volkswagen.”
The new ID. Cross measures 4,153mm in length, 1,581mm tall, and 1,794mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2,601 mm, allowing for 475 litres of storage – 20 litres more than the T-Cross model with combustion engine.
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) will also be included as standard across all trims and variants, allowing charging of devices up to 3.6 kW.
Volkswagen paired the world premiere with the immediate launch of pre-sales, with prices starting from €36,525 for the ID. Cross in the Life and Style trim levels with 155 kW output and 52 kWh battery.
Despite all the good news and development progress of its electric vehicle lineup, however, Volkswagen continues to face strong headwinds which, according to media reports could see the company lay off anywhere between 50,000 to 100,000 workers.
Reuters first reported in late June that Volkswagen was considering shutting down four German factories and ramping up job cuts to as many as 100,000 employees. Members of the company’s supervisory board had been informed of the plans which were due to be discussed at a July 9 meeting, according to “two people familiar with the matter”.
This was followed up last week by subsequent reporting from Reuters citing an internal Volkswagen memo to staff from CEO Oliver Blume that said Volkswagen may need to cut an additional 50,000 extra jobs to keep up with rivals.
This fits in with the previously reported 100,000, consisting of a 2024 programme to reduce the workforce by 50,000 and a “theoretical” further reduction of 50,000.
The memo was reported alongside news that the supervisory board had rejected efforts to close the previously reported four factories.
