Cheaper Volkswagen EV Coming to Canada in 3-4 Years

Currently limited to the ID.4 crossover, the Volkswagen brand’s EV portfolio in North America will expand next year with the launch of the ID.7 sedan and ID. Buzz minivan. But these are more premium, more expensive models. When will we get a smaller, cheaper alternative?

Such a vehicle will be coming in 3-4 years, according to Volkswagen of America senior vice president and head of strategy Reinhard Fischer, who spoke at a conference hosted by Reuters in Detroit on Thursday.

"We are not scaling back plans for EVs in the U.S. market," he said, adding that this new EV will be built either in the U.S. or Mexico. The batteries, meanwhile, will be locally sourced from Volkswagen’s upcoming factory in St. Thomas, Ontario, which will receive nearly $16 billion in tax breaks and other incentives from the Canadian government.

Photo: Antoine Joubert

Fischer hinted at a base price below $35,000 USD, significantly undercutting the ID.4. In Canada, that would likely mean around $40,000—in current dollars, of course—before any EV rebates are applied.

Now, what will this model be exactly? The next generation of the ID.3 that’s sold across the Atlantic? A small crossover based on the ID. Life concept? Who knows, maybe the future Golf EV? We won’t get the answer anytime soon, unfortunately.

Speaking of upcoming Volkswagen EVs, we’re pretty anxious to see what the rugged SUV and pickup from the automaker’s new Scout sub-brand will look like. The pair will be built in South Carolina starting in 2026, with an annual capacity of 200,000 units. And let’s not forget about Volkswagen’s desire to launch a plug-in hybrid in North America sometime in the near future.

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

ElectricForget an Electric Beetle, Volkswagen CEO Says
A return of the Volkswagen Beetle as a fully electric vehicle has fueled rumours ever since the iconic German coupe/cabriolet bowed out in 2019—and even more with the automaker resurrecting the Type 2 minivan in the form of the ID. Buzz . However, all hopes are now lost, it seems.
NewsVolkswagen ID. 2all Concept Unveiled as New Low-Price Electric Car
German auto giant Volkswagen on Wednesday unveiled a new budget electric vehicle, as the competition in the EV sector revs up. The ID. 2all model, with front-wheel drive and a range of up to 450 kilometres, will be priced under 25,000 euros (about $36,477 CAD) when the production model hits …
NewsNext-Gen Volkswagen Golf, Golf GTI to be Fully Electric
Up until recently, the fate of the Volkswagen Golf was pretty much up in the air, but new comments by the German automaker’s top boss help paint a clearer picture. In an interview with Autocar during a visit at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Thomas Schafer assured the Golf will …
Electric2024 Volkswagen ID.4 to Get Extra Power, Range and More
The Volkswagen ID.4 is set to receive significant upgrades for 2024, its third full year on the Canadian market. Among other things, expect more power and longer range than before, plus a more user-friendly infotainment system. The 2024 ID.4 equipped with the larger 82kWh battery will gain a more potent …
ElectricVolkswagen Picks Ontario for North American Battery Factory
Volkswagen ’s search for the location of an EV battery factory in North America is over. The German automaker and its battery company PowerCo today announced the selection of St. Thomas in Ontario to establish Volkswagen’s first overseas gigafactory for battery manufacturing. The start of production is planned for 2027.
NewsVolkswagen Boss Admits Company is “No Longer Competitive”
Back in June, Volkswagen executives announced a transformation plan aimed at saving 10 billion euros (approx. $15 billion CAD) by 2030. They explained on Monday that they are considering major staff reductions across the globe, possibly in the form of early retirements, to hopefully meet the vital cost-cutting targets. "It …
ElectricVolkswagen, Audi, Porsche to Adopt Tesla’s NACS Connector
Volkswagen is the latest automaker to reach a deal with Tesla to gain access to some 15,000 Superchargers in Canada and the U.S. Customers driving a Volkswagen , Audi or Porsche electric vehicle equipped with a CCS (Combined Charging System) charging port will be offered an adaptor in order to …
CESYour Next Volkswagen Might Feature ChatGPT
As CES 2024 kicks off in Las Vegas this week, Volkswagen will present the first vehicles in which the AI-based chatbot ChatGPT is integrated into its IDA voice assistant. The German automaker is set to become the first volume manufacturer to offer ChatGPT as a standard feature. Starting this spring …