Automotive News Europe — 2024-04-24
Automotive Industry
The ID.UX subbrand is the automaker's bid to recapture market share lost to local rivals such as BYD. VW also showed the ID Code SUV concept ahead of the Beijing auto show.
Volkswagen has introduced a new electric subbrand for China and unveiled a concept previewing a new look aimed specifically at Chinese customers as part of a reboot aimed at regaining share in the world’s largest auto market.
The concept, called the ID Code, is a low-slung SUV that previews a “completely new SUV generation” for China, VW said in a statement ahead of the car’s unveiling at an event Wednesday, 24 April 2024, on the eve of the Beijing auto show, which opens on Thursday (25 April 2024).
The car is a “glimpse of the future of Volkswagen in China,” VW brand CEO Thomas Schaefer said in the statement. “The ID Code is specifically geared toward the needs and wishes of our Chinese customers,” he added.
VW also launched an EV subbrand called ID.UX that is “designed to appeal to younger customers in particular,” the company said. The first ID.UX car will the Unyx later in 2024, VW said, without offering further details.
The new brand will feature “progressive” exterior design along with a “driver-centric” interior with a new display and touchscreen interface designed to appeal to younger buyers.
VW is on a mission to win back market share in China after the domestic brand BYD overtook it as the nation’s top automaker. VW said it will take until 2026 to reverse its slide in the country. On Wednesday, 24 April 2024, the group told investors that it had set a target of 4 m sales by 2030, with operating profit of €3 bn ($3.2 bn) and a top three position in sales in the market.
New China partnerships
Under CEO Oliver Blume, VW Group has put in place new partnerships in China, including teaming up with local EV maker Xpeng for full-electric models.
Volkswagen will build four models in the electric entry-level segment on a newly developed architecture called the China Main Platform (CMP) starting in 2026, the company said. The CMP architecture is being developed by Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) together with joint venture SAIC Volkswagen and FAW Volkswagen, VW said on 17 April 2024.
The new VCTC aims to cut development time by 30%, VW said Wednesday (24 April 2024).
Xpeng has previously said it and VW would develop a platform called the China Electrical Architecture (CEA) for locally developed VW-branded EVs from 2026 to provide a cost-effective software-defined experience.
The two partners have a goal to cut costs by 40% for the China-developed platform compared with VW's German-developed MEB architecture.
VW will also launch 12 new internal combustion engine models and six plug-in hybrids by 2030, it said. The plug-in hybrids will have an electric range of up to 100 km (62 miles).
The ID Code concept was presented as the face of the automaker’s future in China, with interactive lighting, an AI-powered “avatar” assistant and Level 4 autonomous capability.
'Fast and futuristic'
The smooth, uncluttered look of the coupe-styled car is “both fast and futuristic,” VW said.
The car is “extremely aerodynamic” with almost flat roof rails. At the back, the roof spoiler extends over the rear window with a gap underneath to allow the air to flow under, again helping maintain the smooth shape.
At the front is a narrow, horizontal 3D light strip dubbed the Light Cloud has a multi-dimensional structure that communicates with the car’s surroundings, for example, showing when the car is in autonomous mode.
Below the light strip is the bumper, which also acts as an interactive screen that displays information such as a weather forecast. When the display is not active, the bumper appears to be painted the body color.
Inside the car is designed to be a “mobile living space.” As the driver approaches the car, semi-transparent displays on the side show an AI-assisted avatar that offers a greeting and information.
The same avatar appears inside, acting as a “the perfect co-driver.”
VW’s focus on smart interactive features is a response to Chinese competitors such as BYD, Geely and GAC, which have put much of the interior focus on screens and connected features.