Volkswagen has postponed the launch of its new core Trinity model – and can now fill the gap. The main plant, which is underutilized, is awarded the contract for the electric Tiguan. It is also unclear whether an extra factory will be built for Trinity and the new platform associated with it.
Volkswagen’s headquarters, which has recently been underutilized, has been awarded the contract within the group to build the electric SUV Tiguan from 2026. The group announced this at a works meeting, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz also attended. “We here in Wolfsburg will develop and build this new vehicle,” said Daniela Cavallo, head of the works council. The car is a “first” because it marks the first use of the group’s future electric platform.
This is “important news for us at the main plant and for our further path in the changing industry,” Cavallo continued. Volkswagen actually wanted to introduce the new Trinity electric model in 2026, but this was postponed after VW boss Oliver Blume took office in September due to software problems. The gap that will arise in 2026 has been closed with the Tiguan, Cavallo said.
According to information from the group environment, Scholz also indirectly commented on the controversial new EU emissions standard Euro-7. This should bring severe tightening of the permitted emissions, which, however, sometimes require complicated technology and, according to the automotive industry, should make small vehicles in particular more expensive. Scholz assured that the federal government would “not forget the present when looking to the future and always ensure realistic solutions”. In order to further promote investments in e-mobility, it is necessary “that we also retain our economic strength as a basis for renewal”. Group boss Oliver Blume also spoke to the employees about the topic.
The Chancellor had previously visited the Wolfsburg Golf production facility. In the Volkswagen main plant, where the Tiguan, Touran and Seat Tarraco are also manufactured, a lot of work had been lost since the beginning of the supply crisis with microchips and other electronics. Production capacities could not be used in places, the headquarters were far below the agreed goals. The future Trinity core model is to have its own systems and be based on a completely new platform (SSP) – but the start-up will probably last until the end of the decade.
Wolfsburg is also being prepared for an overflow production of the electric ID.3 from Zwickau. A planned extra factory for the Trinity, on the other hand, could be on the brink. Alternatively, parts of the main plant could be converted. VW recently emphasized that the option to build new vehicles is also being kept open. A final decision will be made by March.
