Each unit of the Volkswagen ID. all-electric hatchback produced before 2025 will incur losses in the amount of €3,000, the company admits in its latest press release. It reckons that the production will only become profitable by 2025.
Once the battery car hits the market, VW will offer it at €29,900 and above, unless state subsidies come into play in one way or another. Producing the vehicle on the new VW MEB platform actually costs more than that.
The above notwithstanding, this situation is far from being unique among car manufacturers who invest in environmentally clean means of transportation. For instance, Fiat loses around U.S. $20,000 with each 500e produced, while Chevrolet end up with a U.S. $9,000 shortfall with each Bolt sold.
Pre-orders for the Volkswagen ID. will begin in May. The Launch Edition trim version equipped with a mid-range 62 kWh battery will be the first to ship, followed by the standard (48 kWh) and top (82 kWh) trims. Depending on your chosen configuration, the powertrain output will be rated between 170 and 201 hp (127 – 150 kW).
Photos: Volkswagen AG