Mercedes began producing the Mercedes VLE, while the Volkswagen Group launched the VW ID. Polo, Cupra Raval, and Skoda Epiq. All in: SPAIN
Spain is becoming Europe’s automotive hub: both China and Germany want a stake there. Mercedes announced that it has started producing the Mercedes VLE, an electric van that will succeed the Mercedes EQV, at its factory in Vitoria. Skoda, part of the Volkswagen group, said it has begun manufacturing the Skoda Epiq at its plant in Pamplona. During Volkswagen’s presentation of the ID. Polo in Poland, it was revealed that production lines for the Cupra Raval and VW ID. Polo have just started up in Martorell.
Spain’s Success in the Automotive Industry
Table of Contents
Spain’s Success in the Automotive Industry
Mercedes VLE
Cupra Raval, VW ID. Polo, Skoda Epiq
The Mercedes VLE is an electric van from the company, built on a completely new VAN.EA platform. Its production in Victoria is a slight surprise for us, as about two years ago we heard it would be manufactured in Jawor, and such decisions aren’t usually changed from year to year. The prices of the Mercedes VLE 300 Electric start at 398,200 Polish zlotys for the 5-seater version, 400,149 zlotys for the 6-seater variant, and 401,196 zlotys for the 7-seater edition. It has a permissible gross weight of up to 3.5 tons, with batteries having a capacity of around 122 (115) kWh, allowing it to cover just over 700 WLTP units.
The Mercedes VLE chassis. The battery and pneumatic suspension components, which are standard in this vehicle, are visible. (c) All photos in this section: Mercedes
The factory in Vitoria already produces the V-Class, Vito, and eVito, and has been emission-neutral since 2022. It is powered by renewable energy sources, including its own solar panels, and heated by waste heat from the bodybuilding and painting sections. The manufacturer claims that both electric and combustion-engine models can be produced from the same assembly lines (source).
Cupra Raval, VW ID. Polo, Skoda Epiq
At the beginning of June, Volkswagen Group announced that it had started production of the Cupra Raval and VW ID. Polo in Martorell. A few days later, Skoda officially began manufacturing the Skoda Epiq at the Volkswagen Navarra plant in Pamplona. All of these vehicles are built on the MEB+ platform, which Volkswagen refers to as MEB21 [MEB 2.1 – edit]. Interestingly, the Skoda Epiq is the second model after the Skoda Superb to be produced outside of Czechia and the first to come out of a plant in Spain – further highlighting the importance of this Southern European country.
Add to this that the VW ID. Cross, the latest model of the year based on the MEB+ platform, will also be produced in Pampeluna, suggesting a division between hatchbacks (Martorell) and crossovers (Pampeluna). This aligns with existing models, as alongside the Volkswagen Navarra and Skoda Epiq, the VW T-Cross and VW Taigo are also produced there. Volkswagen Group emphasizes that Spain enables its brands to offer “electric vehicles that are highly competitive in terms of technology and price.”
The prices of the Skoda Epiq are set to start at 26,000 euros, equivalent to 110,000 Polish zlotys, according to the manufacturer. This applies to the Skoda Epiq 35 version with a smaller LFP 39 (37) kWh battery. Those who want to purchase the version with a larger battery pack and a range of up to 436 WLTP units must opt for the 55 (52) kWh battery, which will cost 32,100 euros (Skoda Epiq First Edition), amounting to just over 140,000 Polish zlotys in Poland. The car is expected to be available in the Polish market in the coming weeks.
Editor’s note from Elektrowozu: We mentioned China in the introduction because just a few days ago it was revealed that BYD has suspended its plans to build a factory in Turkey “indefinitely” and is now considering Spain “due to access to renewable energy.”
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