VW pauses production of VW ID.3 and Cupra Born

Volkswagen is currently struggling with a lack of engines and weak demand for its electric car production. The VW ID.3 and the Cupra Born, which roll off the production line 1 in Zwickau, were not affected by the engine bottleneck. This is because the familiar electric motor with 150 kW output and 310 Nm torque is currently still being installed in the two compact models and not the new APP550, which is affected by the supply problems.

However, demand for the VW ID.3 and the Cupra Born is apparently too low for the current production capacities. Volkswagen had already stopped electric car production in Zwickau on production line 1 for around two weeks in October, also due to weak demand. In the meantime, however, production of the two models has resumed in three-shift operation.

The production figure has been processed, a spokesperson told media representatives. This affects the plant in Zwickau and the plant in Dresden. Previously, the night shift at the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born production plant in Zwickau had already been cancelled.

MDR and Automobilwoche also report that the job cuts at the Zwickau electric car plant will continue in 2024. According to a spokesperson, the contracts of almost 500 temporary employees will not be extended in the coming year. The contracts of 269 employees have already expired this year. Even on this occasion, it was said that possible further job cuts would depend on demand.

The MDR quotes from an article on the VW intranet, according to which VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer warns the workforce of “noticeable cuts”. The situation is critical. The letter, which also announces a works meeting for this week, states that critical issues must be addressed, including personnel.

Meanwhile, production on production line two in Zwickau, which was interrupted due to a lack of electric motors, is starting up again this week. The ID.4 and ID.5 from VW and the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron from Audi are being built on this line. The interruption therefore lasted about three weeks.

automobilwoche.de, mdr.de (both in German)