According to an article published in the German trade publication Automobilwoche, Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess said that the German car maker is getting its electric vehicle platform and battery procurement plans are being set to meet a production target of 50 million electric vehicles.
The company is also looking at expanding its presence in manufacturing in the United States.
"We set up the plant in Chattanooga always with the idea to be able to grow it, to mirror it," Diess was quoted as saying.
"The plant is still too small, and we are considering different options - it might be electric cars, it might be a different derivative of the Atlas (SUV) - it's still open."
Diess added that Volkswagen and Ford are also discussing options of greater cooperation, primarily in commercial vehicles segment.
"What we're talking about is sharing a few platforms and manufacturing sites there, which makes sense. And within the dialogue, we are also touching other options, but this will be the main focus if we come to a conclusion."
Diess said that a global successor to the Amarok pickup, or a unibody pickup could be helped to be developed by Ford.
He also stressed on the plans of VW to be open to licensing for its MEB electric car platform to third party manufacturers which he believes is one of the ways to increase economies of scale.
"Today, we have hundreds of different drivetrains in our industry, and there's a lot of differentiation in the drivetrain. I think this will become less, because the battery cells will become very similar on the basis of the same chemistry inside," Diess said.
Starting in 2020, it could be possible for VW to manufacture up to 50 million electric vehicles globally and across all of its brands and the company has already secured battery sourcing agreements for that capacity. Diess said that further efficiency gains can be achieved through licensing MEB to other automakers.
"It will be more about the economies of scale. Still, the battery pack, for the foreseeable future, will be more expensive than a combustion powertrain, so I think it makes a lot of sense to make more volume," Diess said.
The number – 50 million, that Diess gad mentioned was more close to a theoretical long-term goal for the MEB electric car platform, said a VW spokesman. He said that around 50 million mainly combustion engine vehicles over several brands and many years could be made on the Volkswagen Group's current vehicle platform, MQB.
In 2017, 10.7 million vehicles were sold by the Volkswagen Group.
Following the scandal over the rigged diesel emissions in the US and elsewhere, VW is not making a very conscious effort to repair its dented image and hence is investing heavily in electric vehicles. The scandal had also cost the company billions in fines and refits.
(Source:www.channelnewsasia.com)
The company is also looking at expanding its presence in manufacturing in the United States.
"We set up the plant in Chattanooga always with the idea to be able to grow it, to mirror it," Diess was quoted as saying.
"The plant is still too small, and we are considering different options - it might be electric cars, it might be a different derivative of the Atlas (SUV) - it's still open."
Diess added that Volkswagen and Ford are also discussing options of greater cooperation, primarily in commercial vehicles segment.
"What we're talking about is sharing a few platforms and manufacturing sites there, which makes sense. And within the dialogue, we are also touching other options, but this will be the main focus if we come to a conclusion."
Diess said that a global successor to the Amarok pickup, or a unibody pickup could be helped to be developed by Ford.
He also stressed on the plans of VW to be open to licensing for its MEB electric car platform to third party manufacturers which he believes is one of the ways to increase economies of scale.
"Today, we have hundreds of different drivetrains in our industry, and there's a lot of differentiation in the drivetrain. I think this will become less, because the battery cells will become very similar on the basis of the same chemistry inside," Diess said.
Starting in 2020, it could be possible for VW to manufacture up to 50 million electric vehicles globally and across all of its brands and the company has already secured battery sourcing agreements for that capacity. Diess said that further efficiency gains can be achieved through licensing MEB to other automakers.
"It will be more about the economies of scale. Still, the battery pack, for the foreseeable future, will be more expensive than a combustion powertrain, so I think it makes a lot of sense to make more volume," Diess said.
The number – 50 million, that Diess gad mentioned was more close to a theoretical long-term goal for the MEB electric car platform, said a VW spokesman. He said that around 50 million mainly combustion engine vehicles over several brands and many years could be made on the Volkswagen Group's current vehicle platform, MQB.
In 2017, 10.7 million vehicles were sold by the Volkswagen Group.
Following the scandal over the rigged diesel emissions in the US and elsewhere, VW is not making a very conscious effort to repair its dented image and hence is investing heavily in electric vehicles. The scandal had also cost the company billions in fines and refits.
(Source:www.channelnewsasia.com)
