Volkswagen Shifts Gears on EV Strategy, Delays Trinity and Accelerates Electric Golf

Volkswagen Group is revising its electric vehicle roadmap, pushing back the launch of its highly anticipated Trinity EV while potentially fast-tracking an all-electric Golf, according to a report from Handelsblatt newspaper.

Trinity’s Delayed Arrival

The Trinity, initially positioned as VW’s answer to Tesla with advanced Level 4 self-driving capabilities, has seen its production start date pushed back from 2026 to the end of 2032. This significant delay is part of a broader reallocation of product launch investments under VW Group CEO Oliver Blume’s leadership.

Extending the Life of Current EV Platforms

The postponement allows VW to extend the lifespan of its existing electric vehicle platforms:

• The MEB platform, used in VW’s ID series, will be upgraded to MEB+ in 2026
• The PPE platform, utilized for the Porsche electric Macan and Audi Q6 E-tron, will receive a software upgrade within the next three years, with assistance from VW’s new partner, Rivian

This strategy aims to better amortize investment costs in these platforms.

Accelerating the Electric Golf

In a surprising twist, VW may bring forward the launch of a full-electric Golf, codenamed ID Golf. This vehicle could hit the market as early as 2029, potentially becoming the first VW brand car to use the group’s new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).

Revised EV Timeline

Blume’s revised EV rollout plan includes:

• Electric Audi A4 launch at the end of 2028
• VW ID4 successor based on SSP arriving in 2030 (pushed back from 2028)
• VW T-Sport full-electric crossover launch delayed to 2031 (from 2029)

Factors Influencing the Shift

The decision to delay Trinity and adjust the EV timeline is attributed to several factors:

1. A slowdown in the EV market
2. Blume’s cost-cutting initiatives
3. Delays at VW’s Cariad software subsidiary

To address software challenges, VW has partnered with U.S. EV maker Rivian and China’s Xpeng.

EVXL’s Take

This strategic shift by Volkswagen highlights the fluid nature of the EV market and the challenges automakers face in balancing innovation with financial prudence. The decision to potentially accelerate the launch of an electric Golf demonstrates VW’s commitment to electrification while leveraging its iconic brand names. This move aligns with the industry trend of electrifying popular models, as we’ve seen with other manufacturers like Tesla’s continued success with the Model 3. As the EV landscape evolves, it’s clear that flexibility and adaptability will be key for automakers to remain competitive in this rapidly changing market.

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen