VW cancel brand new EVs built on MEB platform after sales disaster

[@electricviking]

Click here to get a free charger and installation when pre-ordering the G6 xpeng.com.au/?qr=726XPO The best solar company in Australia just installed my new solar system. Check them out here: www.resinc.com.au/electricviking

[@frankcoffey]

German engineering used to be really good but you can't rush it. VW didn't have enough time to get it right and MEB was the result. They should have started working on EVs sooner. That being said Japanese automakers didn't take EVs seriously and still haven't even started yet so they too will need China to supply vehicle platforms.

[@daviddipasquale5479]

They should have listened to Herman Dietz instead of firing him.

[@thyristo]

US, EU and Japanese legacy auto are going the same path as photovoltaics in these areas: down.

[@markbennett6658]

Aren’t BYD already doing that for Toyota? At least for the Chinese market?

[@HansjurgenMuller-dc3wq]

It's a hard "V" - pronounce it "Folksvagen"

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

@@HansjurgenMuller-dc3wq then spell it that way then.

[@Tilten]

I believe that VW cars are intentionally designed to be a little boring so they won’t bring down sales of Audi. The problem is that now there are so many alternatives that are more modern and better looking.

[@karihardarson1234]

Good theory. They conceived of the MEB back when they could direct customers to Skoda -> VW -> Audi depending on the depth of their wallets. The MEB was supposed to bring costs down while the stuff on top differentiated the cars. Now they need to compete.

[@vitspinka1]

There are people who want boring cars. Many people just want something that is easy to use, no need to learn new things.. They are also very good fit for company fleet pools. Each time you get to drive a different car, yet everything looks similar. VW had great success with that approach with ICEs. And they are not alone, Toyotas are also notoriously dull. Yet these two car companies are (were) the largest in the world.

[@Tilten]

@ Times change. Still got your Nokia phone? Both VW and Toyota need to get their $hit together quick or the will lose biggly.

[@smusyk2859]

Just drove a friend's audi q3 35tdi, what can I say I love the older Audis, but this one might as well have had a Skoda badge & looked & felt like a Chinese built vw.

[@catha86]

yes they absolutely do so. By doing so they owned the market with cars for different price and for different customers. Now when EV and the chinese are in the game, they will have to rethink. Instead of audi they might go for a top brand chinese car or instead of VW they go for BYD. Before it was audi,skoda or VW

[@ChrisSonPEI]

Jeeze, I had looked at the ID4 this year and passed just based on VW's corporate woes. I took an Ioniq 6 and am I ever glad I did.

[@skyworks1621]

This VW sold in China has just started its sales in Europe under the former brand Seat now called Cupra and is beeing sold for 50.000 € in my country of Slovenia.

[@SithLordForrestGump]

Cupra Tavascan is being sold in the UK between £47k and £61k depending on trim level. Direct competition would be the model y but the model y is larger, cheaper, has more power and more range, has access to Tesla charging network. No brainer to go Tesla. They really need to rethink the pricing on this one

[@xixinan]

Sad, it’s a 20k euro car.

[@skyworks1621]

@xixinan where ?

[@xixinan]

@@skyworks1621 In China this car is selling at 22K euro for basic model and 25K euro for the top trim.

[@kaischmidt730]

i was working at the production line of the Passat some 35 years ago. Just a few weeks, and I had no idea about the engineering of vehicle mass production. But what I always remembered, was how incredibly complicated and complex the production of just “our” simple part was.

[@Kortusmaximus]

I drove 6000km in one Month in a meb. IT's Not perfect but ITS good!

[@ciupak7932]

👍 👍 for your unbelievable enthusiasm towards EVs. Poor soul.

[@LeonieBachmann-h7x]

No worries. Just call Berlin for bailout.

[@dinohermann1887]

And Hanover (the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony, where Volkswagen Group is based on, in the small town of Wolfsburg), as well.

[@kiae-nirodiariesencore4270]

Interesting Sam but there is no sign that VW Group will stop building cars on the MEB platform here in Europe. This is based on what I see here on a typical day, ID3, ID4, Enyaq, Cupra, e-Trons and the occasional ID. Buzz on the roads are common and selling steadily. The other thing is that they have made some improvements to the platform in that past 18 months, though it is still way behind EGMP (Hyundai Group) and Tesla in terms of weight and efficiency. VW have big self inflicted problems for sure and they are clearly losing it in China. Thanks as ever for your prodigious output of videos.

[@sparkpaul]

MEB will have problem in Europe if they have all the choices from China. Cheaper or same price but even better. However no one is making money on EV except Tesla.

[@gilesfitzherbert7725]

VW signed their own death warrant when they sacked Herbert Diess.

[@tgdomnemo5052]

.. or just came out as strategically suicidal by booting Mr. Diess . . . 🤔😆 🖖🏼

[@ISuperTed]

Yep, like many they had someone who could see what’s coming and stuck their head in the sand.

[@Andy-pu1gx]

He were fired, because of Software Issues. Up to 2 years Delay on Audi Q6 and Porsche e macan plus the software disaster in the first MEBs.

[@garydavis1528]

He was also responsible for truly catastrophic software that plagued and destroyed Vw EV products.

[@deFruitberg]

They did not, he's responsible for the issues with the ID series they have today. He was in charge when the ID.3 came to market, under his reign.

[@niptodstan]

I have a Skoda Enyaq Sportline. It’s a great car.

[@ariluokkala6340]

Hi, and many thanks you for an great show! Looking here from Finland, at the border of Russia, in these times off this aggression and polarisation of gr

[@thomaswhite2609]

I don't understand why you say the ID Unyx is ugly. It's much better designed than the ID3 or ID4. And even compared to some chinese models it is still decent looking. VW has had a design problem for years. Most of their models are ugly. But not that one.

[@Xrey274]

ID.3 and ID.4 are both design abominations, so it's not much of a bar. I still find the Unyx barely better looking, if anything just as ugly.

[@dangerzone9747]

Electric Viking is dominating EV news across the world now. Everyone sources his videos now.

[@rozonoemi9374]

Don't forget Best in Tesla.

[@jamesvandamme7786]

@@rozonoemi9374 Transport Evolved News and Miss Go Electric are also good. Sam is a little over the top sometimes.

[@hkad6252]

I have an ID3 and it is actually REALLY GOOD.

[@chrisivens3413]

I love mine too. I like the size, the comfort and to be honest, I like the infotainment mostly. I tried a bmw hire car and I didn’t know where to look. I’d have crashed trying to find the settings I was after. It’s awful. Also, it was an iX which is simply huge and I have no need for a car that big, even with 2 kids.

[@carltonlane8931]

Hi,as a owner of a Meg platform Audi,for 3 years,I would like to say it is a fantastic car,the wife takes it on 1500 mile trips regularly,apparently loves it,very comfortable,no problems changing,fair range,price,, when we got the car it was fair price,been a great experience in evs.

[@andrewmadeup7375]

yeeer but you ait drove anything else have you? Go to China and drive 5 differrent cars a day and you will see the differrence.

[@guidodraheim7123]

CEA is basically the software including self-driving, CMP is basically the battery and drive-train

[@0-Will-0]

Keen to get rid of my Tesla and am looking at an ID7, less than a year old £35k with a spec few other EVs can match. Original RRP about £55k.

[@andders2477]

Sales disaster is strong word when the Skoda is the most sold in EU and ID4 sales are up 24%. Would be nice with a better charging and bi-directional chargeport. Dont have a VW/Skoda but will not rule them out.

[@tomtd]

You can’t bank percentage, talk units otherwise it’s meaningless

[@techshark77]

Wrong, if it's at 100 and it drops to 10, then goes back up 24% that is just 12.40, your still down 87.4

[@notme943]

I dont know how it is in other country, but in denmark where overwhelming majority of car purchase are electric, the skoda enyaq is on the top spot, the IDs are also among the top 10 in recent sale report. Sure the MEB has its problems but the drive comfort beat the current model Y.

[@michaelhecken9259]

Design Exterieur and Interieur are in my Opinion the true reason for MEB VW and AUDI failure. Skoda Enjaq on MEB sells very well in Germany. ID cars look and feel like plastic toys. The bad Design choice is to me the key to the VW,Audi and Mercedes failure. Sadly they had all amazing concept cars, but the "old white german managers" never listen to the designers! Best from Berlin

[@xgalp05]

Also id7 tourer is quite well reviewed

[@hkad6252]

I love my ID3

[@beatreuteler]

Isn't the Skoda built on the MEB platform as well? It BTW sells also very well in Switzerland. It used to be #2 just behind the Model Y for quite some time.

[@rogerphelps9939]

I have an Enyaq. Brilliant car and objectively beer han a Model Y.

[@Wannes_]

That's going to affect Tesla as well They badly need a design update across the range

[@mahargrekab]

I think the ID.UNIX looks superb 👌🏼

[@gerryking4346]

Have you ever owned or experienced for a reasonable amount of time one of these VW cars to qualify your opinions? Fact. I’ve owned and driven two ID3s over a period of 3 years. They are superbly designed and engineered. Reliable, practical and economical. But who’s interested in facts eh?

[@leemitchell3302]

I have an ID 7 and it’s a fantastic car! Keep being told by the electric Viking that Volkswagens are no good but I just don’t find that driving and owning one. The ID7 was generally reviewed well. Test drove a Tesla Model Y and BYD Seal and they were all as good as each other… I just got a fantastic deal on the ID7 that made a slightly less than the other 2!

[@gerryking4346]

@@leemitchell3302 One of the best things about my ID3 is the adaptive cruise control. I was pleased to see an honest review by an expert with experience of both an ID3 and Tesla’s explaining how much better the ID3 ACC is compared to the Tesla kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGqkcmiCqqZ0gLssi=Jv1R6NakJpUYK3NA

[@rozonoemi9374]

Yeah, there software are so good!

[@MrMonoTracer]

Rented an ID3 this summer. I was not impressed👎.

[@jamesvandamme7786]

Time marches on, and designs are improving quickly. Leaf was a good car at one time, too.

[@danny77670000]

The electric Viking is on energiser batteries 🔋 the way u r churning out videos is unbelievable 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@John-p7i5g]

He has a method. But yes, his production is good. Long may it continue.

[@hossamhosnimostafa5354]

He doesn't sleep enough! Sleep deprivation is obvious. I wish him all success ❤

[@Velioris]

I really like the looks...

[@Hurricanemarty]

Good choice on xpeng platform, hope USA gets it

[@BarryGGould]

the only meb platform car i want is the id buzz. i really really want the ev hippie van 😍😍

[@kirakira1981]

Just get a zeekr mix. Superior in every way

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

but not the hippie prices we once knew.

[@Soulboy63]

It has bad range , expensive , best to wait ,Telsa & others will bring out larger panel vans , ripe for camper van conversion

[@BarryGGould]

@@Soulboy63 its a nostalgia thing. it looks retro enough. im well aware of its pathetic 230 mi of range and unnecessarily outrageous 70k price tag

[@kairuster1510]

ID.UNYX can easily compete with any Stellantis BEV unless not from Leapmotors...😅

[@ISuperTed]

You’ve articulated the issue perfectly - the MEB and Stellantis platforms are from legacy makers, the Leap motor one isn’t.

[@mechantl0up]

I have recently viewed a number of ID 7 newer model version reviews and they have been very positive. It has been touted superior to similar imported Chinese EVs (with their perpetual build quality, support and drivability-in-European-weather issues) as well as other similar current European EVs. It even gets good mileage. So I am surprised to hear that the platform is actually bad. Are others’ platforms even worse, then? Or is the impact of the platform not even relevant any more in modern EVs?

[@jameshack485]

Not sure how VW is going to explain this to their unionized workforce in Germany. The XPeng JV is just for China now but when they see the economics versus German made cars it's a no-brainer to ramp up Chinese production

[@plau2007]

China will not sell EVs in EU .

[@DavidC-pg6ni]

@@plau2007They already DO.

[@hkad6252]

Nobody buys them and there are no dealers.

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

@@plau2007 what! get real.

[@bernardfouche5241]

​ (@plau2007 China already sells EV in the EU, there are BYD, XPeng, SAIC dealerships in many countries of the EU. Also Chinese automakers are currently deciding where they will build factories in the EU, to avoid tariffs. These factories will be local replicas of Chinese factories, with lower operating costs, smaller workforce.) What VW will explain or not to the unionized workforce doesn't matter much because the competition doesn't have to consider the current unionized workforce in Germany. What VW does with XPeng or Stellantis with Leapmotor, is getting in survival mode until they succeed in doing a real shift to EV with new platforms. But the Chinese are now so far ahead of the game that the future of EU automakers can be to re-badge Chinese EV, Chinese technology, Chinese software. When customers understand that what they buy is mostly of Chinese origin, they will have no problem buying directly from a Chinese brand. The outcome for EU automakers is very gloomy, whatever the unionized workforce thinks.

[@adedomini]

Next year there will be the new ID2 that will be build on an updated platform (front wheel drive vs rear). So the existing MEB will gradually be phased out in the rest of the world as well. Is already over 5/6 years old for an EV in this period is a long time...

[@jkajolin]

no the id.2 was already postponed a quite a while back to 2026. I belivery the reason was that VW is not ready for the cheap LFP battery technology

[@dylanthomas12321]

A great historian told me in 1975 that Germany is the heart beat of Europe, and when it's unsettled, so is the world. That was long before reunification. Germans need to get their act together, soon! They are the third largest economy in the world and will not go quietly. Sam doesn't wade into geopolitics, but his insights should be remembered.

[@scar5head]

China 1, USA, 2 Japan 3 Germany?

[@plau2007]

They are doing. They will stop subsidies for EVs. The entire EU. EVs will have a future in the EU when EU countries will allow mining again.

[@dylanthomas12321]

@scar5head Do a little research. Learn the difference between purchasing power parity and GDP, and why nobody believes the NSB statistics or anything else promulgated by the CCP, including themselves. If you dig carefully you might find that I'm being generous giving them second rank and that arguably they are third or fourth.

[@plau2007]

@@dylanthomas12321The problem with Germany that they based their economic model in totalitarian governments. They brought cheap gas from Russia and sold cars and machinery in China. Both are done! The EU just learned that it is easy to be an ecologist as long as the mining and pollution is done in other countries.

[@sargfowler9603]

Russian bot alert!

[@cos_marc]

What's the source of these news? To me it sounds more like "let's make xpeng look better". Idk how MEB platform stands when it comes to productions costs, but it's one of the most efficient platforms out there. The new APP550 motor is great... only Tesla has better efficiency in that price range, but yeah they are a bit on the expensive side, ID.7 should be at least 5-10k cheaper to have great sales. Also the other VW platforms from new Audis and Porsche they are quite nice. It could be that the production costs are much higher but I would look into optimizing that instead of using XPeng platform...

[@ISuperTed]

They are better than they used to be - ID7 is a good car, but VW can’t make money on them. Considering VW are over 200BN in debt, it’s foolish to keep going with something that lose money. I hope they sort this out - we need strong competition to Tesla/China.

[@b4804514]

@@ISuperTed VW is toast. They missed the window and China is taking over because they are better all the way around.

[@FrankRainer41]

Years ago, a VW dealer presented a VW electric car here in the shopping center. There was no one there and I thought what an ugly, misshapen car. One floor down, Tesla also had an electric car on display and there were people standing around and interested and I thought wow, what a chic car.

[@Jamesastaniforth]

I like the look of it 🙏🏻

[@voksic81]

What are you talking about. Plan back in 2021 was to cancel MEB by now. SSP was to replace it, but it didn't arrive in time. New Q8 and A8 will be first SSP. VAGs cars in China were always special; they even shared the names with Europe versions but were not the same cars.

[@Nexus.Achiles]

I'm in the market for a 100% EV car as our 3rd car. I'd be interested in a MEB based EV from the VW group if that means they're fire selling it, being obsolete. I'd rather have the cheap old stuff than the spanking new expensive stuff. I need 150 km range for my daily commute to work and to run errands in town. A cheap ID2 or its derivative Cupra Raval is what I'm looking for (€25K or less).

[@stefanracz3254]

I like Volkswagen you shoving us,it is very nice car. X peng doesn look like a nice car. But both of them missing charakter like a new renault 5, ID buzz or old Land Rover Defender

[@henvan8737]

VW was aware of their crazy direction 18 months ago and still they did not listen. So now they are bleeding badly.

[@williamlewandowski129]

Just as an FYI to those that are curious. Xpeng was named after its founder whose given name is Xiaopeng in pinyin English. So he dropped 3 letters and called his company Xpeng. Now the X is spelled Ci in pinyin English and pronounced as (See) in Chinese, but for our purposes we can simply pronounce it as X (Ex). Secondly, the 'peng' portion of his name is not pronounced 'ping' using the long E or 'peng' using the short e sound, but rather 'pung' utilizing the short u sound. Thus to be (halfway) correct the company Xpeng, to match its English spelling, should be pronounced 'Expung'. But Chinese people will pronounce it 'Seepung'.

[@gadgetgasspoll]

X-PUNK

[@gadgetgasspoll]

Xiao-Punk

[@thomaswhite2609]

I've heard from a chinese native that "xi" was pronounced "she" and not "see". So what is the right way?

[@jgarbo3541]

The "e" in Chinese (pinyin) is schwa Ә in English (IPA), an unstressed vowel, eg, 2nd e in Present (gift), 1st vowel in Present (show, introduce) .

[@yezih2694]

In China, we call Xpeng(Xiao pənŋ) nobody call them xi/ci/see pung. For foreign speaker, say X peng, Chinese with basic English will immediately understand what brand you mean.

[@paulcraig1943]

I feel sorry fo Ford as they are using the MEB platform in Europe on the Explorer and Capri

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

both are flops.

[@garysevern]

Ford was just far too late into the EV party.

[@jamesvandamme7786]

Send them over to the USA. We have few choices.

[@robertmarsh3588]

These platform changes are all about economics. Let's also remember that manufacturing costs and purchasing choices in China are largely governed by domestic policies. As someone who has worked for decades in a manufacturing industry that has recently been radically affected by Chinese (and indeed US) government policy, I'm surprised by the utter naivety of Western observers and consumers to not understand how this plays out. Ultimately, there will be little or no auto industry outside of PRC unless manufacturing costs are addressed. One other factor - net zero policies enacted in the west have made energy costs, especially electricity, utterly prohibitive compared to China. These are political choices. BTW - the ID Unix looks great. Far better than most of the EVs I see on our roads, especially SUVs.

[@michalvala9736]

Situation with VW id.unyx is more complicated. This car is starting its sales in Europe as Cupra Tavascan. Cupra Tavascan, as well as Cupra Born (which is slightly improved VW id.3) is being manufactured in China. Recent EU taxes on cars produced in China made it very complicated for Cupra. At the moment, here in CZ Cupra does not have any EVs on stock or in showrooms. All have been sold and now they are waiting for decision about prices for both Born and Tavascan. So my assumption is, VW decided to start production of Cupra EVs somewhere in Europe, and as a side effect, they cancelled VW id.unyx in China (which would probably have poor sales there anyways).

[@vwmechano]

You have to add more details why xpang's platform is better than meb, other than just saying its heavy and old.

[@maxthemagition]

The sums do not add up for EVs. Pity they did not see it from the start.

[@seokhoonyun6309]

Hyundai and Kia ranked third in the world even if they gave up the Chinese automobile market. Germany EV maker will have to think about what this means.

[@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck]

What German EV maker?😂

[@firstlast-pt5pp]

​@@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck- their China plants should come online in 2025 - think Shanghai Tesla

[@seokhoonyun6309]

@@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck 독3사

[@plau2007]

In EVs subsidies for EVs are gone. The EU will have a word to say in the EV market when it will allow mining.

[@seokhoonyun6309]

@@FrunkensteinVonZipperneck Was Hyundai, Kia an ev maker from the beginning? The three German companies missed the opportunity because they were not prepared.

[@marvin3935]

What is presented here only holds true for the Chinese market. ID.Unyx is still alive and exported as Cupra Tavascan to the European market. Same for MEB as such, just being reworked into cheaper MEB Entry, starting out of Spain next year with Raval/ID.2 and Epiq/ID.2X. First models using own VW/PowerCo cells which was long decided for outside China only (sites in Germany, Spain, Canada). So what we are seeing is just a split approach China vs. Rest of world, taking into consideration a much older and conservative customer base outside China.

[@hvh377]

And that split makes total sense as the major western car markets are putting up barriers to Chinese-made cars.

[@marvin3935]

@hvh377 VW could still decide to localize the Xpeng platform outside China or to export components. As they do not, I am sure there are fundamental differences in requirements such as regulatory and customer, e.g. EU battery regulation, durability focus, smaller cars that are being used for longer, importance of resale values, etc.

[@hvh377]

​​@@marvin3935Yes I agree VW may build cars on this Chinese platform somewhere else. Most likely this platform relies on many parts supplied from local suppliers in China. This may make building cars based on this platform elsewhere in the world potentially more expensive. At the very least VW will not have access to tha same cheap raw materials, energy and labour that is available in China.

[@t0dd000]

The Scout coming out right about now looks like it could be a massive win for VW

[@abebegirmay3327]

Problem with VW is they have the same type of car for the last 5-6 years (ID3, ID4, ID5) while other brands produce every year new car design. Offcourse Tesla have also the same models for the last 5-6 years (Model 3, Y, X, S) but Tesla is always doing something new and is being well known in the market. So VW need to buy other brands or join other EV brands for a better design and cars that everyone can buy it. For example ID 4 has been in the market for the last 3-4 years, looks very old type of car and still expensive, its like the same price as Model Y.

[@coffeeisgood102]

I wonder how this affects the id Buzz?

[@johnphamlore8073]

Volkswagen imitating GM from decades ago was never going to work. What customer will ever brag to his or her friends they bought a certain "platform"? Platforms are for producer convenience of cars that will be great for nothing, mediocre in everything. Similarly one could see the legacy automakers were in trouble when they were bragging about numbers of models. Stop wasting time on models that can never be mass produced, just focus on making one model that can be mass produced at an affordable price. Imagine if Apple were to focus on producing "platforms" for dozens of models of phones but never make an iPhone.

[@andrewhealy7821]

It's still a lot better looking than the European ID cars...

[@slifox2752]

I guess the ID 2 is out then… 🤷‍♂️

[@ISuperTed]

Not sure the ID2 is on MEB? Isn’t on a new smaller platform?

[@jamesvandamme7786]

@@ISuperTed Not if they just hacked out a few inches out of the same old MEB, which would make it even worse.

[@colinwp8285]

That then means Ford UK and EU have issues as they were to use the MEB. Example EU Ford EV explorer.

[@marvin3935]

Not really, as the contract only runs a few years and was always seen as interim solution until Ford own platform. The only thing one could argue is why Ford did not (also) secure access to the cheaper & smaller MEB Entry which would have allowed to offer Fiesta (Raval/ID2 rival) and a serious Puma (Epiq/ID2X rival).

[@aussieideasman8498]

At 3:36 If they call EEA 'Electrical Electronic Architecture' I would not trust them to build a car. Did the Viking make that up?

[@johnlovenhill1]

Doesn’t this stem from the change in the tariff situation?

[@samwang5831]

Just buy a Xpeng snap VW badges on the front and back. Perhaps there are still people who are willing to pay more for a German badge

[@Wannes_]

It's not the platform, it's what they build upon it

[@jamesvandamme7786]

The platform determines weight, efficiency, and driveability. The rest is just chrome and sheet metal.

[@Wannes_]

@@jamesvandamme7786 I drive pooled ID3s at work It's heavy, but so are many EVs I've had it down to under 11kWh/100km, that's e-up! territory It drives OK in the dry, but is let down by VWs poor tyre choice, most notably in wet and cold conditions No heat-pump apparently, another VW choice, as in cold, wet, snowy conditions with defog on max as it fogs up easily, it was close to 50 kWh/100km, in city driving ! A-pillar and triangular side-window is a disaster for safety & visibility. As are the driving aids ! Lane assist being especially dangerous having tried to steer me into traffic islands on multiple occasions - I switch it off now Front (braking) assist intervenes when it shouldn't but doesn't or does too late, when it must It needs too much throttle to "break" the e-parking brake which is very annoying in cramped city parking, The braking interventions based on parking sensors, are so harsh you think you've actually bumped into something. The UI-software is an unintuitive laggy joke. Don't get me started on the horrendous touch-controls and questionable "button" layout. Switch on the pax light and you may start dialing VW Assistance ... So IMO it's not the platform VW just built a crappy, plasticky car on it I would never buy one of these, nor any of the clones ...

[@pedipedi9559]

Xpang G6 is for sale in Germany and at the moment, the reviews are pretty good. However, the latest gen 2 ID.3 and ID.7 are also very good cars with sold efficiency and tech. There is a problem though and that is price. Both need to be at least 10k to 20k less with all the top features. I think VW is doing a smart move to partner on a platform especially in China. In Europe as much as EV’s are the trend in China. Many EU countries are not ready with infrastructure to transition, e.g, Greece, Albania, Turkey, etc. I think cheap Chinese EVs will help but if everyone wants a Chinese EV. I recently tested the gen2 ID.3 and it outperformed my shit Tesla M3 in every category. Auto parking, navigation, assisted driving, apple car play, comfort and quality. However the price was just too much. If it was 10k less, I would have given my Tesla a kick to the curb. Another year with this shit car and it’s being kicked to the curb.

[@robsmith4790]

So: Are these Chinese ev going to run on the Xpeng architecture, while the Euro versions will run on Rivian’s : given that VAG have just signed an agreement for it’s technology. That sounds like too many possibilities and VERY expensive.

[@rozonoemi9374]

Who said that VW are to big to fail? They will.

[@MattLaw-g4n]

We’ve been waiting on the delivery of our Buzz since March, and we still don’t have a build date… there is no ‘sales’ problem, VW have a manufacturing problem. Guess they should have taken EVs more seriously instead of telling us no one wanted them. Chickens have come home to roost.

[@ISuperTed]

I ordered an Audi Q4 late 2021 and ended up cancelling as they eventually said it would be 18 months for delivery! Sounds like VW still haven’t sorted out their logistics!

[@balvadeniz]

Key word is gigacasting i think.

[@ilkka182]

I am super happy with my old MEB platform Cupra Born. My next EV will also be a VW EV.

[@ISuperTed]

It’s funny, I know quite a few people with MEB platform cars. Some are absolutely fine (I’ve not heard anyone with a Skoda Enyaq who isn’t happy), but others have had loads of problems (mainly ID cars). I don’t think they are bad cars, but if VW can’t make money on them they need to change.

[@peterlomax7143]

I find this absolutely strange as if they wanted to change to a different drive platform they can just shop around in China for a going out of business EV company.

[@slavko321]

They are working with xpeng which is an improvement.

[@stickynorth]

A sign of things to come which could lead to VW becoming just a European brand with Chinese underpinnings or virtually Chinese controlled if they aren't careful. I guess that's why they've got the Rivian deal too since I am sure all the Scout products will basically be reskinned R1 or R2's to save costs....

[@viggokaj2009]

Where is Herbert dize?

[@SamUnreel]

Lol! I'm American. I don't get many good options.

[@Kenny_PL]

ID UNYX doesn't look half bad, what are you talking about🥴 It looks exactly like every other EV (chinese included).

[@paulgoffin8054]

If ICE companies want to successfully transition, they need to stop negative briefing about EVs. Oh, and produce decent products at decent prices.

[@waynerm002]

The ID UNYX is a nice looking vehicle however, based on Chinese cars in its price range, they are better equipped, based on local buyers preferences. Based on the specs and new pricing, it may attract some more buyers. If sold outside of China it would in the mid to upper $30K range. From reviews I've seen, the software is laggy, like the ID 4's when it was launched, the power is low, range as well, compared to its competition, all of these things makes it a non starter for local buyers. If VW can benefit from Xpeng's platform and reduce their prices as a result to cater to their core buyers, outside of China, this will be good for them.

[@chasf3433]

His is what VW groupare doing to try and survive in the Chinese market but whare are they going to do in Europe platform wise for next gen ID3 and ID4 plus if it comes the smaller and cheaper ID2.

[@mr88cet]

Hmmm… I had gotten the impression that the ID3 and ID4 have been … well, maybe not “flying off the shelves,” but selling reasonably well.

[@whowhy9023]

They are garbage. Surprised anyone buys one.

[@experimental_av]

Guess it depends on your other options. In markets like Europe maybe but not in China. You get more bang for the buck from anyone else.

[@sargfowler9603]

They are selling well in Europe, but not elsewhere

[@ISuperTed]

Europe don’t have much choice - a few Chinese but big tariffs/taxes and Stellantis, that’s about it. VW have done okay, but they are losing money on the ID platform so it’s not sustainable.

[@chaz4609]

Jai Hind. Either VW buys up all of Xpeng now or else Xpeng will have to buyout VW in the near future.

[@MimMusMet]

I don't understand how the Skoda Enyaq is still selling like hotcakes in Europe.

[@John-p7i5g]

Isn't it cheap?

[@plau2007]

​@@John-p7i5gI would like to see Chinese EVs cars + import taxes competing with Skoda.

[@espenn]

Brand loyalty does play in. But the Enyaq is the nicest looking car on the MEB plattform to date imo, i had one.

[@espenn]

​@@John-p7i5gIn Norway the Enyaq was above the ID4 in price actually, it used to be the other way around..

[@hkad6252]

Well because it is really good maybe?

[@NiejakiDD]

Wspaniałe.🤗

[@flemlion13]

I have more issues with their software. Isn't there an MEB Ford that's better than the VW's?

[@johnsmedley8843]

A bit of VW bashing going on here. Probably worth noting the Brits re built the company after the war to help the Germans recover. I bought a VW polo a few years Back a brilliant piece of engineering, I'd like to buy an EV but this thing will last another 15 years with no servicing costs. Don't write off VW, so what if they use another platform who cares? Audis are just VWs with a bit of cosmetics!

[@MarkHarveyArt]

So this means anyone who buys a Ford Explorer or the much hated new Capri will in essence be buying out of date and overweight drive system?

[@doubleclutchonline5811]

VW Group is a complete mess. They botched the launch of the Taycan years ago. And today, if you want to drive a Macan 4 EV, chances are they don't have one prepared because the "software hasn't been updated." I gave up on the Taycan (went with a Tesla) and now I'm about to give up on the Macan. Their gas powered vehicles aren't faring much better. Bad software, uninteresting designs, crude NVH. I'm not sure what business they think they're in, but they are failing at it.

[@GenRicOpekc]

Your hair looks good. Your health seems to be improving.

[@hvh377]

@@GenRicOpekc This comment has the most content of this whole topic! Including the video itself.

[@GenRicOpekc]

@ Thank you. I tried. Good luck VW.

[@GenRicOpekc]

@ Thank you. I do try.

[@tofislam]

All MEB vehicles seem to be bloated, restrained and last gen! The platform sharing exercise of the VW group (as well as Stellantis) is a disaster. So many mainstream cars, sharing so many flaws with little or no individuality, charm or sense of technological thrust. When I first saw the ID range I was massively disappointed. Chubby, characterless and and nowhere near the perceived quality of the brand. Moving backwards with every step forward of key competitors. What short-sightedness and lack of awareness.

[@ozchalupkova4688]

i got a VW id.buzz.. all is ok.. except the software.. its so stupid you cant even imagine... also no updates... and absolut anti user features... sad story, but i still like the car...

[@markbrowne8447]

Are you running 3.5?

[@jeffmorton5539]

Soon China will control VW’s destiny. Glad my manager sold my VW stock last year.

[@DaBooster]

And Mercedes Benz in a decade

[@TinyBlitz8]

Not if the German government would approve, if it involves one of their national industries they won’t agree to a buyout just like they stopped a buyout of one German robotics and one semiconductor company that Chinese companies wanted to take over.

[@rowanbroekman3929]

Last year? He should have done a decade ago.

[@plau2007]

I don't think so. VW will stop selling cars in China. In China will not sell EVs in the EU. China can start building charging stations in Africa.

[@jeffmorton5539]

@@plau2007 the word on the street is half of vws profits come from China. Without China, vw may collapse entirely. They aren’t doing well anywhere.

[@MondernMan]

ID4 has a stop sale in the US due to doors being able to open (unexpectedly) while driving. Also, VW just invested a couple of billion into Rivian - what's their plan here.....

[@whowhy9023]

They are clueless, talk about catching a falling knife.

[@firstlast-pt5pp]

politics and corruption - typical for old companies really - fine until challenged - why EU/America starting wars instead of make things better - while in China their only option is make things better

[@charlesmoss8119]

If you are a German Auto worker I wouldn't be making any big purchases. I'm afraid the industry is really facing a big decline - Merc and BMW willl offshore and have the brand value to survive - but the less defind brands are doomed I suspect. And why build a platform shared car in Europe when it is developed in China.

[@brendanquinn6894]

Are all Vikings driving EVs now and when did they give away the long boats?

[@Soulboy63]

@5.18 , Gigacasting you said , off to google !! Interesting . What about Merc ? They in the same position?

[@ashleymoore1099]

Wake up no one wants to purchase an EV for anything othere than a local runaround . 20k tops not 120k for a disposable car

[@ashleymoore1099]

I would buy niether i cant afford the depreciation or the fire risk

[@ISuperTed]

I know a lot of people who have cars based on the MEB platform (even if they don’t know it) - ID3’s, ID4’s, Cupra Born, Skoda Enyaq’s etc. Very mixed bag of feelings on them. MY neighbour hated his ID3 and had loads of problems with it (he’s gone back to a Leaf!), but another friend has an Enyaq and loves it. I don’t think the cars are that bad anymore (software much better now), they are just not economical to make. I hope VW sort this out and get a better platform out there, although at the moment I can’t see how they can make enough profit.

[@somap8380]

How is BMW doing ?

[@plau2007]

The problem is that in EU the sell of EVs is going down. Also the government subsidies. EU needs money to increase military spending.

[@chriss4949]

Fake news

[@plau2007]

@chriss4949 "Registrations of battery-electric cars rose by 9.8% to 139,702 units in September 2024. However, year-to-date market volume was still 5.8% lower than the same period last year, with the total market share falling to 13.1% from 14%, driven by a substantial decrease in Germany (-28.6%)." Google it! In Germany subsidies are 0%.

[@plau2007]

@@chriss4949 -5% in EU and -25% in Germany.

[@TerryHickey-xt4mf]

nothing to do with it.

[@plau2007]

@@TerryHickey-xt4mf in EU low government deficits is a must. It is part of the Euro agreement. Plus if the EU wants to produce EVs must invest in mining.

[@petersimms4982]

Too many fingers in too many pies 😮😮😢😢

[@richardshultz6834]

You keep saying that the MEB platform is bad. The only reason given is that it is heavy, you did not say that it had problems. The real problem is that they tried to make a computer driven car with a program that SUCKS in the BIGGEST way POSSABLE!!!! Its a nice looking car, the motor is good, the battery seems good, rides a little hard, computer interface is a complete joke!!!!!! I do not want to have to try and program a computer to make my car do something while driving down a 8 lane highway going 80MPH (thats 130 kph). I want to be able to control the a/c and heat, please give me a button and a knob. Not that hard. What you are saying is that it cost a lot (union BS) and the computer sucks.

[@perkarlsson882]

So China will now teach Germany how to build cars, that is something i did not see coming. Btw, Volvo Cars will start production with megacasting and core computing in Sweden next year, glad they have Geely behind.

[@hkad6252]

Name one thing a Chinese car does that is better than any other car. I drove a BYD Seal and it felt like a toy, had laughable software and no features. Ended up buying an ID3 and could not be happier.

[@IMAN7THRYLOS]

So don’t buy a car. Get a contract for 3 years and then swap it.

[@netsiteing]

Bring the Scout to Australia

[@reeceagland1980]

MEB has been a failure, so have to do something better. Not only does that leave VW and it's brands in trouble but also Ford in Europe that uses it for its overpriced Capri and Explorer. Unix looks better than Capri though...