Volkswagen Develops ‘EV’ in 2 Years Using Chinese Technology

The Volkswagen Group has begun mass production in Hefei, eastern China, of the ID.Unyx 08, its first fully connected, all-electric full-size SUV for the Chinese market.

The vehicle is a joint development with Chinese NEV manufacturer Xpeng and reached mass-production readiness in just 24 months since the start of the collaboration, the German automaker revealed.

The ID.Unyx 08 is equipped with locally developed cutting-edge technologies, including an 800-volt ultra-fast charging system, Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), and the ability to continuously update the vehicle via over-the-air (OTA) updates.

According to Volkswagen, these updates were designed without losing sight of “the brand’s core values and set new standards in safety, quality, driving comfort, and durability.”

The market launch of the ID.UNYX 08, scheduled for before the end of the first half of the year, is part of its largest-ever product offensive for electric vehicles to date, consisting of 20 new models developed locally in China this year alone.

Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, explained that the push actually began three years ago with a rethinking of the strategy for China, “which is now realizing its full potential.”

“The ID.UNYX 08 is the next compelling proof of this,” said the executive, adding that the vehicle was conceived “in China for China, with German engineering and cutting-edge local technology.”

Blume emphasized that this collaboration was key to bringing the model to market quickly and at attractive prices. “Vehicles like the ID.UNYX 08 are part of our ambition to become the global technology engine of the automotive sector,” he reiterated.

“Our ‘In China, for China’ strategy is bearing fruit. With the ID.UNYX 08, we are launching the Group’s largest electric vehicle offensive in China,” stated Ralf Brandstätter, a member of the Volkswagen AG Board of Management responsible for China, as well as Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

The executive noted that, on average, the Volkswagen Group is launching a new electric vehicle every two weeks this year.

“That’s the pace of China. The ID.UNYX 08 is Volkswagen’s first model in a new generation of smart electric vehicles that will allow us to bring our strengths into the electric era,” Brandstätter said.

Meanwhile, He Xiaopeng, president and CEO of Xpeng, stated that the start of mass production of the ID.UNYX 08 demonstrates that the collaboration with Volkswagen has yielded tangible results.

“Based on mutual trust and close collaboration, this partnership allows both parties to combine their strengths and generate long-term value. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and achieving a mutually beneficial future,” the executive added.

Xiaopeng explained that this collaboration, which began in 2023, focuses on product development and large-scale technological innovation, leveraging the key competencies of both companies.

This alliance has resulted in the joint development of two all-electric models. Following the ID.Unyx 08, a second Volkswagen model resulting from this cooperation will also be unveiled and hit the market later this year.