Nearly 150,000 orders for new electric small cars from VW, Cupra, and Škoda
Image: VW
At the Paris Motor Show, all four models from Volkswagen’s so-called Electric Urban Car Family (EUCF) are presented together for the first time. The Cupra Raval, VW ID. Polo, Škoda Epiq, and VW ID. Cross comprise the electric vehicle lineup of these three brand subsidiaries, built on a shared version of the MEB+ platform.
The model family was developed under Brand Group Core, led by Seat & Cupra. The manufacturer reports that nearly 150,000 orders have already been placed for these four electric entry-level models even before deliveries begin.
The models are designed for the compact car segment, which is one of the most important and fastest-growing market segments in Europe. According to Volkswagen, the goal of this joint project is to make electric mobility accessible to a broader customer base. The company views the nearly 150,000 orders received so far as confirmation of this cross-brand approach.
"The Electric Urban Car Family represents our new mobility strategy for volume segments. We develop products together in areas where scale effects and speed are crucial, while also creating distinct products with a clear identity for each brand," explains Thomas Schäfer, member of the Volkswagen AG board of management, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, and head of the Brand Group Core.
"And we build together: The facilities in Martorell and Pamplona produce all four models as a strong Iberian manufacturing region. Nearly 150,000 orders confirm this approach. The EUCF is much more than just a model family. It demonstrates how we can successfully combine competitiveness, industrial strength, and affordable electric mobility from Europe for Europe to actively drive transformation in the mass market segment."
The technical foundation of the Electric Urban Car Family is the shared MEB+ platform, on which all four vehicles are built. Thanks to its modular design, over 80 percent of the components and technologies within the model family are identical, thereby creating synergies in development, procurement, and production.
Even in production, Brand Group Core follows a unified approach with two facilities in Spain. The compact cars Cupra Raval and VW ID. Polo are built at the Martorell plant, while the electric urban SUVs Škoda Epiq and VW ID. Cross are produced in Pamplona.
The development and manufacturing of electric vehicles are part of a large-scale investment program in Spain. Seat & Cupra, Brand Group Core, PowerCo, and partners of the “Future Fast Forward” initiative are investing a total of ten billion euros, including in PowerCo’s battery cell factory in Sagunto. Additionally, Seat & Cupra are investing 300 million euros for the battery assembly plant in Martorell.
About the Author
Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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