Volkswagen has announced they will finally start issuing software updates to the ID.4 in the US and Canada. This is a huge relief to ID.4 owners in North America as the electric SUV had suffered neglect from the German manufacturer since deliveries began nearly two years ago.
Volkswagen says older ID.4 will get the update first, and the company will work its way to certain model year 2022 ID.4’s in a few months.
The announcement was made by VW USA, but a VW spokesperson confirmed with Drive Tesla it applies to Canada as well, and that owners should expect to receive the update “early in the new year.”
Apart from enabling OTA updates, the update includes Auto Hold braking, charge routing for the on-board navigation system, improvements to the ID.Cockpit digital display, and obligatory bug fixes and security improvements, VW explained in a press release.
“The ID.4 has been very successful for Volkswagen—both in bringing new customers into the brand and in introducing traditional ICE drivers to EVs,” said Andrew Savvas, Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Volkswagen North American Region. “We’re excited to upgrade the software in MY21 and certain MY22 ID.4s to enhance the user experience.”
VW says in their press release that ID.4 owners will receive “formal notification” when their update is ready, without explaining what exactly that means. However, VW confirmed with us that the notification will be through paper mail, or email if available.
It is not surprising to see this update after the recent reorganization by the new CEO of VW Group, Oliver Blume who restructured the company with a focus on software. Volkswagen has invested about $2 billion in a partnership to enhance its vehicle software with a Chinese company.
It remains to be seen if the company can sustain the tempo of regular updates like Tesla.
