Volkswagen has formally cancelled the long-delayed ID.7 electrical sedan in America, as a substitute specializing in promoting it in Europe and China.
The ID.7 is VW’s electrical mid-size sedan providing, at present obtainable (and promoting effectively) in Europe and likewise in China.
Beforehand the ID.7 had been supposed to launch in 2024 in North America, after launching in Europe in 2023. However when launch time got here shut, VW delayed the North American debut of the mannequin indefinitely final Might.
As not too long ago as October, VW America’s boss Pablo Di Si (who has since moved on) stated that the ID.7 may nonetheless are available in 2025.
However now we all know that that indefinite delay is now absolutely particular: the mannequin has been canceled within the US and Canada.
The information was damaged yesterday by The Automotive Information, talking with a VW Canada consultant. We’ve since reached out to VW, who confirmed the information to us.
Automotive Information quoted a VW spokesperson saying the choice was made as a consequence of “the continuing difficult EV local weather.” Final yr in North America, EV gross sales grew by 9%, sooner than the general auto market which grew at 2.5%, suggesting that the market is in reality more difficult for non-EVs than EVs for the time being. Additional, gasoline automotive gross sales have been in long run decline since 2017, whereas EV gross sales have risen drastically in that point interval.
That development was achieved with only a few obtainable sedan fashions as effectively, with nearly each EV obtainable in America being an SUV-type. Including extra mannequin availability may open up the market to extra consumers who need a right-sized automobile as a substitute of a land yacht.
However VW has been having a difficult time itself within the US. Till not too long ago, it solely provided a single SUV mannequin, the ID.4, within the US. Whereas the ID.4 has introduced numerous upgrades not too long ago, it’s additionally one of many few automobiles whose gross sales had been down in a rising market (which was true even earlier than the cease sale which has now been lifted after fixing a door deal with downside). Maybe VW may have benefitted from providing a automobile in a distinct format.
VW had beforehand blamed its delay of the ID.7 on “market circumstances.” It didn’t specify which market circumstances it was referring to, however now we have some suspicions.
Producers have a perception that Individuals solely need SUVs (or so they are saying – actually, that is at the least partially pushed by emissions guidelines), and the ID.7 is just not one. Though VW at one level did attempt to painting it as one – after we first noticed the ID.7 it was within the guise of the “Area Vizzion” idea, and VW stated it “combines the aerodynamic qualities of a Gran Turismo with the beneficiant inside house of an SUV,” attempting to leverage Individuals’ supposed want just for land yachts by portraying a considerably extra wise wagon as one thing it’s not.
However whereas it is a disappointment for these of us ready for extra right-sized electrical automobiles, it doesn’t imply the top for brand spanking new VW EVs within the US. Automotive Information quoted a VW spokesman as saying that “electrical automobiles proceed to be a core a part of Volkswagen’s long-term product technique, and new electrical fashions will proceed to be launched for this market.” So, keep tuned for extra.
Nicely, in the event you nonetheless need an electrical VW, there’s all the time the ID.4. To contact a neighborhood vendor and see if they’ve any VW ID.4s able to promote, be happy to use our hyperlink. You may also attain out concerning the ID.Buzz, if a unusual electrical minivan is extra your velocity.
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