Volkswagen has decided to delay the launch of its flagship “Project Trinity” electric vehicle (EV) to the early 2030s, reshuffling its EV rollout strategy in response to fluctuating market demands and cost-cutting imperatives.
Project Trinity was originally announced in early 2021 and was expected to be the first vehicle built on Volkswagen’s upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). This platform promised faster charging capabilities and the potential for up to 1,700 horsepower, along with Level 4 self-driving features.
Initially slated for a 2026 debut, Project Trinity was envisioned as Volkswagen’s flagship EV, showcasing the company’s electric vehicle capabilities and lean production methods. However, the automaker is now prioritizing the release of an all-electric Golf, known as the “ID Golf,” to better align with current market conditions.
However, the project’s timeline has been pushed back significantly, with reports suggesting a potential launch as far into the future as 2032.
The decision to delay Project Trinity stems from a combination of factors, including weak EV demand in Europe and the need to optimize investments in existing platforms, according to a report from Automotive News.
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By delaying the Trinity project, Volkswagen aims to extend the lifespan of its current-generation EV platforms, the MEB and PPE, thereby better amortizing the substantial investments made in these technologies.
The MEB platform, which underpins Volkswagen’s ID series, is set to receive an upgrade to MEB+ by 2026. The PPE platform, used for models like the Porsche Macan electric and Audi Q6 E-tron, will also benefit from a software upgrade within the next three years, facilitated by Volkswagen’s new partner, Rivian, German publication Handelsblatt. (via Reuters)
Volkswagen’s decision to delay Project Trinity is a response to a slowdown in the EV market. By reallocating resources and prioritizing the launch of the ID Golf in 2026, Volkswagen hopes to capture a larger share of the market with a more accessible model. The ID Golf, which will be the first vehicle to launch on the new SSP platform, is expected to appeal to a broader audience, potentially boosting Volkswagen’s EV sales.
Additionally, Volkswagen plans to release an upgraded version of the ID.4 SUV in 2026, based on an improved design of the existing MEB platform, allowing Volkswagen to continue leveraging its current technologies while preparing for the eventual transition to the SSP platform.
The company is not alone in grappling with these issues. Other manufacturers, such as Porsche, have also revised their EV targets in response to market reaction to their EVs. Porsche has also scaled back its goal of having EVs make up 80% of its new sales by 2030, citing insufficient customer demand.
