Volkswagen Trinity hits a roadblock, but electric Golf speeds ahead

The electric vehicle landscape is undergoing a major shakeup at Volkswagen Group, with the flagship Trinity EV reportedly facing significant delays and the iconic Golf preparing for a surprisingly swift electric debut.

Sources speaking to Handelsblatt have revealed that the Trinity, envisioned as Volkswagen's answer to Tesla with advanced self-driving capabilities, won't roll off production lines until the end of 2032. That's a serious delay from its original 2026 target. 2026 was already a long wait but another six years on top of that just sounds ridiculous. That's the entire generation of electric cars.

This postponement is apparently a strategic move by Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume to maximize the lifespan and cost efficiency of existing EV platforms, namely the MEB, currently used for Volkswagen's ID range, and the PPE, which underpins the electric Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 E-tron. Both platforms are slated for substantial upgrades in the near future, extending their viability.

But it's not just about platform economics. The slowing demand for EVs from the VW Group combined with Blume's drive for cost efficiency also played a part in this decision. As the EV market matures and competition intensifies, Volkswagen is trying to optimize its investment and resources.

Amidst the Trinity's delay, a new star is rising: the electric Golf, or possibly ID Golf. This EV is now being prepped for launch as early as 2029, becoming the first VW model to use the Group's new software-driven Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). This should shift the spotlight away from the Trinity and position the electric Golf as a technological frontrunner. Audi will also benefit from this new technology. The all-electric A4 is anticipated to launch ahead of the electric Golf, essentially becoming the first vehicle within the Group to harness the SSP architecture.

Other shifts in Volkswagen's EV roadmap include the SSP-based successor to the ID.4, now expected in 2030 instead of 2028, and the T-Sport full-electric crossover, rescheduled for 2031 rather than 2029.

The Trinity's delay is just the latest in a series of "recalibrations" under Blume's leadership. Several projects initiated by former CEO Herbert Diess have been changed as Blume strives to streamline Volkswagen's vast production network. Delays at Volkswagen's Cariad software subsidiary have also played a role in these shifts. To address software challenges, Blume has forged partnerships with American EV manufacturer Rivian and China's Xpeng.

These latest developments lay bare Volkswagen's struggles with navigating the complexities of the EV market. This isn't the first time the Trinity has faced delays. Blume had previously pushed its launch back by two to three years, and also scrapped plans for a dedicated factory near Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters. It will now be produced in Volkswagen's existing EV factory in Zwickau.

Source (German)