The Volkswagen ID. Cross begins production at the Landaben factory in Spain.

Volkswagen has just begun producing the new ID. Cross at its plant in Landaben (Navarra). This is the second electric vehicle manufactured at this facility in Pamplona, where the Skoda Epiq is already produced. Both models, which fall under the B-SUV category, share the same platform (the front-wheel-drive MEB+), engines, and batteries.

Meanwhile, Landaben continues to produce the conventional Volkswagen T-Cross and Taigo models, which will receive microhybrid versions by 2027 to extend their market presence for a few more years. Although the T-Cross will coexist with the ID. Cross for an undetermined period, the latter is intended to replace it in the German automaker’s lineup.

The Navarre factory has produced over ten million cars in its sixty years of operation. It originally belonged to AUTHI, then passed to SEAT, and is now part of the Volkswagen Group. Although it was responsible for manufacturing the Polo for forty years, that model is now imported from South Africa, while the fully electric ID. Polo is produced in Martorell (Barcelona).

The first ID. Cross to leave the assembly line was a Life model equipped with a 211 HP (155 kW) engine and a 52 kWh battery. Painted in Nori Green, this unit is intended for the German market. The company’s smallest electric SUV is currently sold in 34 countries.

The Volkswagen ID. Cross has a WLTP range of up to 426 km

"The ID. Cross represents a very important step for our brand and for our customers in Europe, who expect us to offer attractive, reliable, and above all affordable electric cars," said Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer. He emphasized that "very few plants in the world" can produce both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric cars simultaneously.

Michael Hobusch, president of Volkswagen Navarra, said, “Today we celebrate not only the production of a new model but also the completion of a transformation that strengthens our competitiveness, helps secure jobs, and solidifies Volkswagen Navarra as a leader in the automotive industry.”

"The Iberian Peninsula is playing an increasingly important role within the Group and is on track to become a highly competitive and flexible region. With the expected growth, we will soon produce over one million vehicles at the three plants on the Iberian Peninsula: Martorell, Pamplona, and Palmela," added André Kleb, Chief Production Officer for the Iberian Peninsula.

The production launch event was attended by María Chivite, President of Navarra’s Government. "The launch of the Volkswagen ID. Cross represents a triumph for Navarra, its industry, its institutions, and its workers. It is a victory for public-private collaboration. It represents a successful approach to industrial production, continuous training, and labor relations."

Source | Volkswagen