“Rapidly expanding production capacity for our successful ID.4 is a key component in our ACCELERATE strategy. It allows us to accelerate the transition to zero-carbon mobility, and create additional capacities to meet high demand for electric cars”, stated Ralf Brandstatter, Volkswagen CEO. We are demonstrating that the region is not only economically competitive but also that they can be sustained by our strong commitment to the site.
Lower Saxony is the center of electric mobility
Ralf Brandstatter stated that Volkswagen was making Lower Saxony (where we have 130,000 employees) Germany’s center of electric mobility. The ID.4 will be replaced by the AEROB model, which Emden will produce next year. The iconic ID will also be produced. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Hanover will begin Buzz this year. The ID.3 from Wolfsburg will join it, and a second electric vehicle, the Trinity, will roll off the assembly line in the same location in 2026. In Braunschweig and Salzgitter, the Group will also invest in Kassel and in further expansions of the MEB production of rotors/stators, electric motors, and battery systems. The Salzgitter area is being developed further to become a European hub for battery technology. By 2026, Lower Saxony will have invested 21 billion euros – an incredible amount even by international standards.
Gerardo Scarpino (Deputy Chairman of General Works Council): “Electric mobility has become a reality for more and more colleagues at our plants. It wasn’t an obvious conclusion that electric mobility would be fully implemented at all of our German sites. The codetermination bodies fought for it and reached site agreements on time. This proves that we were right. Our employees have shown that they are motivated and flexible in helping us to complete the ramp-up and conversion work. They deserve recognition for their efforts today”.
Christian Vollmer, member of Volkswagen Brand Board of Management and responsible for Production and Logistics, said that “constant expansion of the production network was key to the success of our global electrical offensive.” We will be able, using the Emden experience and knowledge, to quickly and efficiently transform other plants. This approach is based on innovative production concepts and highly skilled teams. This is how we continue to implement our ACCELERATE strategy – globally, in Germany, and here in Lower Saxony.
Uwe Schwartz is the Emden plant manager. “The Emden team has reached an unprecedented milestone when we started production of the first all electric model. In the last two years, we have worked hard to produce the ID.4 and eagerly awaited the day. We are proud to see the ID.4 come off the Emden line. Emden has done its part to help accelerate Volkswagen’s electrification plan. We are proud of Emden. We will continue to grow and expand our long-standing and successful tradition here of production with this team performance.”
Manfred Wulff is the Chairman of the Emden Plant’s Works Council. He said that the Works Council fought for electric mobility in Emden. In East Frisia, we proved that Volkswagen could convert a factory into electric mobility within two years. This is the beginning of electric mobility. Next year, the AERO B saloon will be followed by the Variant. Emden is a leader in electric mobility. We’ll be able to secure long-term jobs in the region with three all electric vehicles manufactured in East Frisia. I want to thank the team for executing everything smoothly.
Despite the challenges faced by the ID.4 during its two-year conversion phase, the ID.4’s startup is moving ahead as planned. Depending on supply, Emden will have a maximum production capacity of 800 units per day by 2022.
As part of the plant’s transformation, six new production halls were built and five new conveyor bridges and logistic buildings were added. The total area covered 125,000 square metres. The Emden qualification concept is a foundation for a successful transformation. It includes training close to the production line, virtual training, and sharing knowledge with Volkswagen’s Zwickau facility. Since early 2020, more than 400 Emden employees have been assigned at Zwickau to help prepare for the production of electric vehicles.
ID.4 can now be made at four locations – High demand and additional production capacities
Now, the ID.4 is produced at both the Zwickau and Emden sites in China and at the Anting-Foshan plants. The expansion continues: In the fall, production for the U.S. will begin in Chattanooga. The global production network will expand to five more locations. The ID.4 was launched in the early 2021 market. In its first quarter, Volkswagen sold more than 30,000 units. This means that every one of two all-electric Volkswagen vehicles is an ID.4. Since its launch, 163,000 units have been sold. This makes the ID.4 the best-selling e–vehicle of the Volkswagen Group and brand. The electric SUV rose to the top in many markets and became the most popular all-electric vehicle in Denmark, Finland Ireland, Sweden, Ireland, and Ireland. The model is currently in production with around 73,000 worldwide orders.