Articles tagged with "Volkswagen"
Electric Volkswagens To Feature In Zootopia 2 ... Sort Of - CleanTechnica
Volkswagen is collaborating with Walt Disney Animation Studios to promote the upcoming film Zootopia 2 through a global 360-degree campaign featuring three custom-animated vehicles inspired by Volkswagen’s all-electric models: the ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7 Tourer. These “Zootopified” electric vehicles will appear in the movie, branded humorously as “Wolfswagen,” a play on Volkswagen’s name and its headquarters city, Wolfsburg. The campaign includes a co-branded commercial set to run in theaters, on TV, and across social media, aiming to build anticipation for the film’s November release while promoting Volkswagen’s electric vehicle lineup. While the partnership highlights Volkswagen’s push for electric mobility and aligns with the film’s themes of challenging prejudices and breaking new ground, the campaign also features some non-electric Volkswagen vehicles, which the article notes as a slight disappointment given the focus on electrification. This collaboration continues Volkswagen’s trend of partnering with Disney on major franchises,
electric-vehiclesVolkswagenenergyclean-energyelectric-carsautomotive-technologysustainable-transportationVolkswagen's US EV Sales Explode — 231% Growth Year Over Year - CleanTechnica
Volkswagen experienced a significant surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US during the third quarter of 2025, with overall EV sales growing by 230.7% year over year. This growth was primarily driven by the ID.4, which saw a 176% increase in sales compared to the same quarter in 2024, reaching 12,470 units sold in Q3 alone and totaling 22,125 units for the first nine months of the year. Additionally, the ID. Buzz, a model not available in the US the previous year, contributed 2,469 sales in Q3 and 4,934 units sold through the first three quarters of 2025. Despite Volkswagen being a relatively small brand in the US market, these two electric models accounted for 17% of the company’s total US sales and 20.3% of its SUV sales, marking a notable presence in the EV segment. This growth rate is among the highest year-over-year increases
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagenEV-salesgrowthrenewable-energyautomotive-industryStorm Clouds Are Gathering Over The Volkswagen–Rivian Bromance - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Volkswagen Group’s ongoing struggles with automotive software development, despite its strengths in manufacturing and electric powertrains. Volkswagen’s early electric vehicle, the ID.3, faced significant software glitches that delayed deliveries and affected usability, a problem that extended across its brands including Porsche, Audi, and Bentley. To address these issues, Volkswagen created an internal software division, CARIAD, but it failed to fully resolve the challenges. Consequently, Volkswagen sought external help, partnering with Rivian, a company noted for more reliable vehicle software, initially pledging substantial investment to leverage Rivian’s platforms. However, the partnership between Volkswagen and Rivian is reportedly encountering serious difficulties. According to German media, electric models planned to use Rivian’s software, such as Audi’s Q8 e-tron and A4 e-tron, face delays of at least a year, while Porsche’s K1 electric SUV launch is postponed indefinitely. Rivian’s software algorithms also do not easily transfer to internal combustion engine vehicles
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagenRivianautomotive-softwarebattery-electric-powertrainselectric-SUVsElectric Vehicles At Center Of Volkswagen's "Core Values" Realignment - CleanTechnica
Volkswagen is intensifying its focus on electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a strategic realignment highlighted at the IAA MOBILITY 2025 event in Munich. The company, which leads European plugin vehicle sales by a significant margin, emphasized its commitment to EVs through a refreshed model lineup featuring new electric cars in the small and compact segments. Key upcoming models include the ID. Polo, ID. Polo GTI, the near-production-ready ID. CROSS Concept compact SUV, and the affordable ID. EVERY1, priced around 20,000 euros. Volkswagen is also introducing a new naming strategy that transfers established VW model names to its electric vehicles, signaling a stronger brand identity centered on EVs. Despite this clear push toward electrification, Volkswagen continues to support its combustion-engine portfolio, unveiling updated versions of popular models like the T-Roc, Tiguan, Tayron, and Passat. Special edition vehicles such as the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE further reflect the brand’s evolving
electric-vehiclesVolkswagenEV-modelsclean-energyautomotive-technologysustainable-transportationelectric-mobilityVolkswagen tests US solid-state battery in Ducati electric bike
Volkswagen Group subsidiary PowerCo SE and US-based battery developer QuantumScape have demonstrated the world’s first live use of solid-state lithium-metal batteries powering a Ducati electric motorcycle. The demonstration took place at the IAA Mobility trade fair in Munich, showcasing a Ducati V21L race bike equipped with QuantumScape’s QSE-5 solid-state cells produced via the proprietary QS Cobra process. This process enables rapid ceramic separator production at gigafactory scale and brings anode-free solid-state batteries out of the lab into real-world vehicle applications. The battery system, engineered by Audi for QuantumScape’s cells, delivers an energy density of 844 Wh/L, supports ultra-fast charging (12 minutes from 10 to 80%), and continuous 10C discharge. This milestone marks a significant step toward commercializing next-generation EV battery technology, addressing industry demands for higher energy density, enhanced safety, faster charging, longer lifespan, and lower costs. PowerCo CEO Frank Blome emphasized that solid-state batteries
energysolid-state-batteryelectric-motorcycleVolkswagenDucatilithium-metal-batterybattery-technologyVolkswagen's Naming Change For Electric Cars Is A Huge Deal - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Volkswagen's recent decision to change its electric vehicle (EV) naming strategy, moving away from its previous "ID" naming convention to revive traditional model names like Polo, Passat, and Golf for its electric lineup. This shift is significant because it leverages the strong emotional and cultural connections customers have with these longstanding model names, which have been part of consumers' lives for decades. The article argues that maintaining familiar names can ease consumers' transition to electric vehicles by reducing perceived risk and building on established brand loyalty, rather than introducing unfamiliar numeric or alphanumeric names that might alienate buyers. Volkswagen's move reflects a serious commitment to the EV transition, signaling that the company is not abandoning its heritage but rather adapting it to new technology. The article highlights that many automakers initially struggled with EV naming by simply adding "EV" tags to existing internal combustion engine (ICE) models or using new, less relatable names, which sometimes hindered sales. By contrast, Volkswagen’s strategy to keep
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagenEV-namingelectric-car-transitionautomotive-industrybattery-technologyNew Electric Polo From Volkswagen, Concept C From Audi - CleanTechnica
Volkswagen is revising its electric vehicle naming strategy by incorporating its well-known legacy model names into its ID. electric lineup to leverage brand recognition and customer familiarity. The upcoming ID.2All, an affordable electric car similar to the Polo and priced under €25,000, will be renamed the ID. Polo when it debuts next year. This approach aims to bridge the gap between electric and combustion engine models, allowing both to be sold in parallel and helping customers navigate the product range more easily. Volkswagen plans to extend this naming strategy to other established models, emphasizing the emotional connection and reliability associated with names like Polo. Additionally, the sporty Polo GTI trim will be introduced in electric form as the ID. Polo GTI starting in 2026, promising dynamic performance and driving enjoyment. Alongside the ID. Polo launch at the Munich auto show in September, Volkswagen will also reveal the ID. Cross SUV concept, a compact battery electric SUV set to enter production by the end of next year as
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagenEVsautomotive-technologysustainable-transportationelectric-mobilityXPENG & Volkswagen Group Announce Entry into Agreement on Expanding E/E Architecture Technical Collaboration - CleanTechnica
XPeng Inc. and the Volkswagen Group have announced an expanded technical collaboration to jointly develop and deploy an advanced Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture across Volkswagen’s electric vehicle (EV), internal combustion engine (ICE), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) platforms in China. Building on a Master Agreement signed in July 2024, this expanded partnership aims to accelerate Volkswagen’s software-defined vehicle strategy by enabling cross-platform and cross-powertrain integration. The collaboration allows for faster software iteration, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and shorter vehicle development cycles, enhancing Volkswagen’s competitiveness in the Chinese market. The joint R&D teams have successfully designed an adaptable E/E architecture initially developed for EVs that can also be applied to ICE and PHEV vehicles, marking a significant technical milestone. This platform-oriented approach will enable Volkswagen to achieve economies of scale and improve product competitiveness by equipping a broader range of vehicles with this industry-leading architecture. Both XPeng’s Chairman and CEO Xiaop
energyelectric-vehiclesautomotive-technologyE/E-architecturesoftware-defined-vehiclesVolkswagenXPENGVW’s Electric Hippy Microbus Struggles In America Don’t Signal EV Collapse - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Volkswagen’s electric ID.Buzz microbus and its contrasting market performance, highlighting that its struggles in the U.S. do not reflect a broader failure of the electric vehicle (EV) transition. In the U.S., the ID.Buzz has faced significant challenges including high import tariffs (about 27.5%) that inflated prices, a limited EPA-estimated range of roughly 234 miles compared to competitors, and a costly recall due to safety compliance issues. These factors led to sharply reduced shipments—fewer than 600 units over three months—falling far short of Volkswagen’s original target of 40,000 annual sales. However, the article emphasizes that this American experience is not representative globally. In Europe, the ID.Buzz has been highly successful, aligning well with consumer preferences and benefiting from strong EV infrastructure. Volkswagen delivered around 27,600 units globally in the first half of 2025, mostly in Europe, where the company’s EV sales surged about 90%
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagenEV-marketrenewable-energybatteriesautomotive-industryVolkswagen EV Sales Surge 47 Percent In 2025 - CleanTechnica
Volkswagen Group reported a significant 47 percent increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales globally during the first half of 2025, reaching 465,000 units delivered, including 800 battery electric commercial trucks. This surge helped offset a more than 30 percent decline in sales in China, allowing Volkswagen to maintain stable overall global sales with a slight 1.3 percent increase to 4.41 million vehicles across all energy types. The growth was especially pronounced in Europe, where EV sales jumped by 89 percent to 347,900 vehicles, with one in five vehicles delivered in Western Europe being fully electric. Volkswagen’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales also rose by 41 percent globally, supported by improved battery ranges of up to 89 miles in some models. Marko Schubert, Volkswagen Group’s board member responsible for sales, attributed this momentum to the company’s successful launch of new models and a strong order pipeline, which increased by over 60 percent for
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagenEV-salesplug-in-hybridbattery-technologyautomotive-industryEurope EV Sales Report — King Volkswagen Rules in a Fast Growing (+34% YoY) EV Market - CleanTechnica
In May 2025, Europe's electric vehicle (EV) market experienced robust growth, with approximately 305,000 plug-in vehicles registered, marking a 34% year-over-year (YoY) increase—the fastest since August 2023. Despite Tesla's decline (-31% YoY in May), the overall EV market is rebounding, with 2025 growth accelerating to +24% YoY, totaling around 1.4 million units. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) grew by 28% YoY to 195,000 units, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) surged 48% YoY, their highest growth in over three years, driven by models like the BYD Seal U (Euro-spec BYD Song), Volkswagen Tiguan PHEV, and Toyota C-HR PHEV. PHEVs reached nearly 110,000 sales in May and are poised to become a new growth engine for the market, especially as Volkswagen expands its
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-marketEuropeVolkswagenbattery-electric-vehiclesplug-in-hybridsRivian receives the next $1B from Volkswagen as sales struggles continue
Rivian has secured the next $1 billion tranche from Volkswagen as part of their ongoing partnership, following the EV startup achieving its second-ever gross profit in Q1 2025. This funding comes through a share sale and builds on a prior $1 billion convertible note provided by Volkswagen late last year. The two companies have a joint venture valued at up to $5.8 billion, with Rivian contributing employee expertise and its software and electrical architecture designs, which Volkswagen plans to use in its future electric vehicles. Despite this financial boost, Rivian continues to face significant sales challenges. The company reported delivering 10,661 vehicles in Q2 2025, a 23% decline compared to the same quarter in 2024, and only a marginal improvement over its difficult first quarter. Rivian has lowered its 2025 sales forecast to between 40,000 and 46,000 EVs, which would still represent a decrease from previous years. Contributing factors include increased production costs
electric-vehiclesRivianVolkswagenautomotive-technologyEV-saleselectric-SUVselectric-pickup-trucksVolkswagen's 4-seat robotaxi with 27 sensors to hit US roads in 2026
Volkswagen has officially launched the production-ready ID. Buzz AD, a four-seat electric robotaxi equipped with 27 sensors—including 13 cameras, nine Lidars, and five radars—designed to compete with Tesla’s autonomous vehicles. Unlike Tesla’s current Level 2 autonomy, the ID. Buzz AD is built for SAE Level 4 autonomy, enabling fully driverless operation in designated areas without human intervention. The vehicle’s AI-powered control system, developed in partnership with Mobileye, processes real-time sensory data to handle various driving scenarios and emergencies. Additionally, the robotaxi includes remote monitoring capabilities and software certification, features Tesla has yet to achieve. Volkswagen offers the ID. Buzz AD as a turnkey Autonomous Driving Mobility-as-a-Service (AD MaaS) platform, which integrates fleet management, passenger assistance, and compatibility with third-party ride-hailing services. This comprehensive package allows businesses, cities, and fleet operators to deploy autonomous vehicle services without developing infrastructure or software from scratch. The van’s
robotautonomous-vehiclessensorsAIelectric-vehiclesmobility-as-a-serviceVolkswagenVolkswagen Getting Xpeng Turing Chips Next - CleanTechnica
Volkswagen is set to adopt Xpeng’s new Turing AI chip for upcoming vehicle models, marking a shift from Nvidia’s Orin X chip previously used. These models, developed in collaboration with Xpeng, are planned for launch next year and will target the Chinese market. This partnership reflects Xpeng’s strategy to expand its business by leveraging its AI chip technology and attracting long-term partners, positioning itself as a technology leader beyond just manufacturing its own vehicles. Volkswagen and Xpeng are jointly developing two mid-class segment Volkswagen brand cars, combining their respective strengths. Volkswagen has also invested $700 million in Xpeng, underscoring its confidence in the startup’s technological capabilities amid a competitive automotive landscape. This collaboration highlights Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation and strategic partnerships to enhance its electric vehicle offerings in China.
robotAI-chipautomotive-technologyVolkswagenXpengelectric-vehiclesautomotive-innovationSmaller, Lighter, Cheaper Electric Van From Volkswagen In Development - CleanTechnica
Volkswagen is developing a smaller, lighter, and more affordable electric multipurpose vehicle (MPV) that could serve as a practical family alternative to larger, less efficient SUVs like the ID. Buzz. While the ID. Buzz generated significant excitement due to its nostalgic connection to the original Volkswagen bus, its high price—$72,385 for the US First Edition—has limited its market success, particularly in the US. The ID. Buzz has found moderate success in Europe, primarily as a commercial and taxi vehicle, benefiting from its compact size suited for congested city environments. The new electric MPV concept draws inspiration from earlier Volkswagen prototypes such as the 2016 Budd-e, which featured a large battery and promising range for its time. Volkswagen is revisiting these MPV designs to create a vehicle with a smaller footprint, lighter weight, and more affordable price point than the ID. Buzz, targeting family buyers who want a practical, high-utility electric vehicle. Key design features under consideration include
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagenID.Buzzbattery-technologyclean-transportationMPVEVs At 28.5% Share In Germany - Volkswagen Group Takes Half Of All BEVs - CleanTechnica
In May 2025, plugin electric vehicles (EVs) achieved a 28.5% market share in Germany, a significant increase from 18.5% a year earlier. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 18.0% of sales, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) made up 10.5%. Year-to-date, plugin EVs hold a 27.4% share, up from 18.3% in 2024, reflecting a steady transition toward electrification in the German auto market. Volkswagen Group played a pivotal role in this growth, doubling its BEV volumes year-on-year in May and contributing 82% of the BEV sales increase, while capturing half of all BEV sales that month. This surge has helped plugin vehicles surpass petrol-only cars in market share for three consecutive months, with hybrids (HEV and MHEV) also maintaining strong presence but showing signs of plateauing. The Volkswagen ID.7 was
energyelectric-vehiclesBEVPHEVVolkswagenautomotive-marketclean-transportationEVs Take 33.7% Share Of The UK - BYD Dolphin Surf Arrives! - CleanTechnica
In May 2024, plugin electric vehicles (EVs) captured a significant 33.7% share of the UK auto market, up from 25.7% year-on-year. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 21.8% of sales, growing 26% YoY, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) made up 11.9%, with a 51% increase. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) saw modest growth, whereas combustion-only vehicles declined despite a slight overall market increase. Year-to-date, plugin EVs hold a 30.9% market share, with BEVs comprising over two-thirds of these sales. Notably, petrol-only vehicles have held under 50% market share for four consecutive months, and diesel-only vehicles remain below 6%. Analysts suggest that combined plugin EV sales might surpass combustion-only sales by December 2024 for the first time. Volkswagen led the BEV market in May with 11.5% share, driven by models like the ID.4 and ID.7, followed by BMW and Audi. Tesla, previously the top seller, dropped to fourth place in May but showed signs of recovery with the arrival of the Model Y, capturing over 21% of the UK BEV market in early June. New model launches are reshaping the market, with the Skoda Elroq performing strongly since its March debut, and the Ford Puma showing growth after its April launch. In the affordable small EV segment, the Renault 5 leads, with the BYD Dolphin Surf entering the UK market in May, signaling increased competition. This growing diversity and affordability in EV options bode well for consumer choice and market growth.
energyelectric-vehiclesBEVPHEVUK-auto-marketVolkswagenTeslaVolkswagen Sponsors Women’s EURO 2025, Features ID. Family - CleanTechnica
electric-vehiclesEVsrenewable-energyVolkswagenEURO-2025clean-technologyautomotive-industryTop Selling EV Brands & Auto Groups in Europe — April Sales Report - CleanTechnica
energyelectric-vehiclesEV-salesautomotive-industryEuropean-marketTeslaVolkswagenOf Course the New Volkswagen ID Model in China Is Its Best Looking! - CleanTechnica
electric-vehiclesVolkswagenenergyAI-voice-assistantBEVdriver-assistancecollaborationVolkswagen Confirms MEB+ Platform Coming Soon - CleanTechnica
energybattery-technologyelectric-vehiclesLFP-batteriesVolkswagenMEB-platformautomotive-innovationUber to Use Volkswagen ID. Buzzes for Robotaxis
robotIoTautonomous-vehicleselectric-vehiclesUberVolkswagentransportationEV Sales Trends in Europe & Globally, + Tesla’s Potential Sales Crises (VIDEO)
electric-vehiclesEV-trendsrenewable-energyTeslaBYDVolkswagenclean-technologyEurope EV Sales Report — The King (Tesla) is Dead, Long Live the (Old) King, Volkswagen
electric-vehiclesEV-salesEuropeTeslaVolkswagenclean-energyautomotive-industry1 Millionth Electric Vehicle Rolls off the Production Line at the Volkswagen Plant in Zwickau
energyelectric-vehiclesVolkswagensustainable-transportationautomotive-industrye-mobilityclean-technology