VW

ID.4 starts production in the USA

The ID.4 is the Volkswagen Group's most popular all-electric model, of which 190,000 units have been delivered to customers around the world since its launch in 2021. Volkswagen aims to increase the assembly capacity of the ID.4 in Chattanooga to 7,000 vehicles per month throughout this year, with the aim of continuing to increase production until 2023.

Delivery of the vehicles to customers is expected from October 2022. In principle, the US-made ID.4 will be available with an 82 kWh battery and with rear- or full-wheel drive. Later that year, a rear-wheel drive version with a 62 kWh battery will be manufactured, with a retail price of access.

The start of production is the result of Volkswagen's $800 million investment in electrifying its Chattanooga plant, which includes dedicated vehicle and battery assembly facilities. The Tennessee plant is now the world's sixth production center for Volkswagen's electric-line vehicles.

The ID.4, Volkswagen's flagship electric SUV, will be manufactured primarily in the North American region, especially in the United States. The vehicle is made up of materials and components that are assembled in 11 US states, from steel that is produced in Alabama and Ohio to interior parts that are made in Indiana and South Carolina, to electronics that are made in Kentucky. and North Carolina. The electric vehicle battery will be supplied by Georgia-based company SK Innovation.

To prepare for the launch of ID.4, vendors invested $2.7 billion across the North American continent, including partnering with SK Innovation to supply batteries, so that more than 3,000 jobs were created in the United States.

“To make this vision a reality, thousands of VW Chattanooga employees have gone to great lengths,” said Chris Glover, president and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations, LLC. "I would like to thank all of our team members, who show great motivation, and the wider Chattanooga community for their great support during the start of building the ID.4 for the North American market."

Volkswagen Chattanooga has a workforce of over 4,000 and is actively hiring over 1,000 new vehicle production workers to meet the growing demand for the ID.4 and the Atlas SUV family from customers. customers. To prepare for the transition to electric vehicles, the plant was responsible for organizing more than 75,000 hours of training on battery-powered vehicles and high-voltage systems.

Volkswagen has committed to invest $7.1 billion over the next five years in the North American region to boost its product portfolio, regional R&D and production capabilities. The brand will continue to boost its electric range until 2030, including the American-made ID.4 in 2022, a fastback sedan, the ID electric minibus. Buzz in 2024, and new electric SUV models starting in 2026. Volkswagen aspires to have 55% of US sales of all-electric vehicles from today by 2030.

Autonews