The Beijing Motor Show 2024currently underway, marks a pturning point for Volkswagen. The German company, in fact, chose the Chinese event to reveal the to the international public New Volkswagen ID.CODE. It’s about a show cars which, for the moment, will not lead to the creation of a series model but which nevertheless represents a fundamental step for the future of Volkswagen, in particular for a key market such as China.
The prototype shown at the Beijing Motor Show, in fact, anticipates what will be the new design of Volkswagen models for the next few years. The German company is planning one clear acceleration in Chinawith an increasingly rich and varied range, a focus on electric (without abandoning ICE engines yet) and some key partnerships with local manufacturers to support growth.
The debut of ID.CODE marks a first and fundamental step towards achieving these objectives. To support the growth program, in any case, Volkswagen has already defined a three-pillar strategy and, on the occasion of the Beijing Motor Show, confirmed again what will be the growth guidelines.
The future is already here
Volkswagen intends to renew its Chinese range, following new development lines and adapting the models to the tastes and needs of local motorists. From this desire was born the Volkswagen ID.CODE project, now on display in world premiere at the 2024 Beijing Motor Show, the stage for many innovations for the world of four wheels such as, for example, the new mid-size SUV from Smart. The show car is a real one SUVs but with one more sporty stylewhich recalls the lines of the Gran Turismo, to create a modern design destined to represent a guide for the development of the entire Chinese Volkswagen range.
Furthermore, new generation lighting and visualization systems are also offered outside. Inside there is a real revolution, with an increasingly modern and technological style that marks a clear change of pace compared to the company’s current proposals, both in China and on the global market. The new design of the ID.CODE will also influence the design of the new Volkswagen series models that will arrive on the Chinese market during the decade.
The focus of the project is precisely there China: the new show car, in fact, does not represent, at least for the moment, the new reference of Volkswagen’s global range. The German company, in fact, could increasingly differentiate its offer, both in terms of design and technical aspects, following different development lines for China and the global market.
Electric and autonomous driving
Under the bodywork there is a hidden100% electrical architecture, about which Volkswagen does not provide many details. We repeat: this is a show car and not a series model. Consequently, there is no need to go and provide a complete technical data sheet. Volkswagen clarifies, however, the ID.CODE was also designed to be able to rely on level autonomous driving 4 and, therefore, on a technology capable of guaranteeing the vehicle the possibility of managing movements autonomously, in predetermined areas. The transition to level 5 autonomous driving is still a long way off but Volkswagen aims to reach level 4 in the next few years and the new concept confirms this objective.
Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of Volkswagen, anticipates the brand’s objectives for its future in China, with these words: “The ID. CODE offers a first preview of VW’s future in China: with a new design, a new technological standard and a holistic brand experience – specifically geared towards the needs and wishes of our Chinese customers. We are ushering in a new era of mobility in China, together with our Chinese partners“.
Volkswagen’s plans for China
Volkswagen has ambitious plans for its future in China, a key market for the international success of the company. The focus will, of course, be electric cars. There range IDin fact, will grow further, reaching a total of 16 models by 2030also including five models of the ID.UX sub-brand, arriving by 2027. Furthermore, the launch of electric variants of the current ICE models is also planned.
For the moment, in fact, Volkswagen has no intention of doing so switch to a 100% electric range in China. They are on their way, in fact, well 12 new ICE models beyond 6 high efficiency plug-in hybrids which will be able to offer a range of over 100 kilometers in electric mode. The debut for Volkswagen’s new ICE cars is scheduled for the course of the decade, by 2030. The development of the German brand’s range will follow a very specific strategy.
The MQB and MEB global platforms, in fact, will be integrated with theadding local platforms, created in collaboration with Chinese manufacturers, such as XPENG. In recent months, Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) is working on the development of the first electric platform specific for China which will mark an important turning point for the company. Furthermore, there are at least four entry level models (all electric) on the way which will be developed starting from the China Main Platform (CMP), with debut starting from 2026.
The debut of the New Volkswagen ID.CODE at the 2024 Beijing Motor Show is, therefore, only the first step of a more ambitious and structured growth program that will take into consideration various aspects to guarantee the German company a leading role in China. The show car sets the course for the design and functionality of Volkswagens of the future. However, there are many other elements to consider, such as partnerships with local manufacturers and the new ICE cars arriving. Volkswagen’s strategy aims to lay the foundations for a solid future in China.
As clarified by CEO Schäfer, it is one three pillar strategy: “a comprehensive product portfolio that accelerates the electrification of the brand’s models, a brand and design language developed specifically for the Chinese market, and local technical development with strong partners in China to accelerate the pace of innovation”
