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 properly) 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 just lately as October, VW America’s boss Pablo Di Si (who has since moved on) mentioned that the ID.7 might nonetheless are available 2025.
However now we all know that that indefinite delay is now totally particular: the mannequin has been canceled within the US and Canada.
The information was damaged yesterday by The Automobile 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 because 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 the truth is more difficult for non-EVs than EVs in the mean time. Additional, fuel automobile 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 properly, with virtually each EV obtainable in America being an SUV-type. Including extra mannequin availability might open up the market to extra patrons who desire a right-sized car as a substitute of a land yacht.
However VW has been having a difficult time itself within the US. Till just lately, it solely supplied a single SUV mannequin, the ID.4, within the US. Whereas the ID.4 has introduced quite a lot of upgrades just lately, it’s additionally one of many few autos 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 drawback). Maybe VW might have benefitted from providing a car in a special format.
VW had beforehand blamed its delay of the ID.7 on “market situations.” It didn’t specify which market situations it was referring to, however we have now some suspicions.
Producers have a perception that Individuals solely need SUVs (or so they are saying – actually, that is not less than partially pushed by emissions guidelines), and the ID.7 will not be one. Though VW at one level did attempt to painting it as one – once we first noticed the ID.7 it was within the guise of the “Area Vizzion” idea, and VW mentioned it “combines the aerodynamic qualities of a Gran Turismo with the beneficiant inside area of an SUV,” making an attempt to leverage Individuals’ supposed want just for land yachts by portraying a considerably extra smart wagon as one thing it’s not.
That mentioned, the automobile seemingly would have been higher-priced than the ID.4, as it’s in Europe. The most effective-selling electrical sedan within the US is the Tesla Mannequin 3, with few different choices outdoors of the luxurious market. The ID.7 might have supplied another for patrons who’re searching for one thing that isn’t related to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, however its seemingly excessive beginning value might need restricted that enchantment.
However whereas it is a disappointment for these of us ready for extra right-sized electrical autos, 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 autos 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, for those who nonetheless need an electrical VW, there’s at all times the ID.4. To contact a neighborhood supplier and see if they’ve any VW ID.4s able to promote, be at liberty to use our hyperlink. You can even attain out in regards to the ID.Buzz, if a unusual electrical minivan is extra your pace.
Cost your electrical car at dwelling utilizing rooftop photo voltaic panels. Discover a dependable and competitively priced photo voltaic installer close to you on EnergySage, without cost. They’ve pre-vetted installers competing for your enterprise, guaranteeing high-quality options and 20-30% financial savings. It’s free, with no gross sales calls till you select an installer. Evaluate personalised photo voltaic quotes on-line and obtain steering from unbiased Power Advisers. Get began right here. – advert*
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
