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 the moment accessible (and promoting nicely) in Europe and in addition in China.
Beforehand the ID.7 had been meant 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 Could.
As 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 as a result 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 truth tougher for non-EVs than EVs in the meanwhile. Additional, fuel automotive gross sales have been in long run decline since 2017, whereas EV gross sales have risen drastically in that point interval.
That progress was achieved with only a few accessible sedan fashions as nicely, with virtually each EV accessible in America being an SUV-type. Including extra mannequin availability might open up the market to extra patrons who desire a right-sized automobile as a substitute of a land yacht.
However VW has been having a difficult time itself within the US. Till lately, it solely provided a single SUV mannequin, the ID.4, within the US. Whereas the ID.4 has introduced a variety of upgrades lately, it’s additionally one of many few automobiles whose gross sales have 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 automobile in a unique 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’ve 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 just isn’t 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,” attempting to leverage Individuals’ supposed want just for land yachts by portraying a considerably extra wise wagon as one thing it’s not.
That mentioned, the automotive 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 exterior of the posh market. The ID.7 might have provided another for patrons who’re in search of one thing that isn’t related to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, however its seemingly excessive beginning value might need restricted that enchantment.
However whereas this can be a disappointment for these of us ready for extra right-sized electrical automobiles, it doesn’t imply the tip 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.
Properly, should you nonetheless need an electrical VW, there’s all the time the ID.4. To contact a neighborhood seller and see if they’ve any VW ID.4s able to promote, be happy to use our hyperlink. You may also attain out in regards to the ID.Buzz, if a unusual electrical minivan is extra your pace.
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