Germany’s Volkswagen unveils designs for new low-cost electric model

The leader of Germany’s Volkswagen carmaker unveiled design sketches for a new low-cost electric model at a closed-door mass meeting with workers on Wednesday.

Volkswagen’s focus for the future “is on a major model offensive with nine new Volkswagen models in Europe,” said executive Thomas Schäfer, according to a company press release.

“These are great cars, including affordable entry-level e-cars,” he added.

The company said that Schäfer showed an initial design sketch for the planned small electric car, which Volkswagen intends to sell for just €20,000 ($20,800).

According to Volkswagen Works Council chairwoman Daniela Cavallo, the model is expected to launch in 2027 and could be called the ID.1.

The gathering in Wolfsburg was the first works meeting for Volkswagen employees since a bitter fight over a deep cost-cutting programme at Volkswagen was settled in a deal with the IG Metall trade union just before Christmas.

“With the outcome of the negotiations in December, we have launched the biggest plan for the future in the history of Volkswagen,” Schäfer told workers on Wednesday, according to the company press release.

Now the focus at the carmaker is on “catching up, attacking, leading,” he said.