A possible tie-up between Volkswagen and Renault which may end in an inexpensive electrical automotive for the plenty is within the works. And it will possibly’t come quickly sufficient, seeing how the German automaker has been within the highlight lately for its EV-related woes, whereas Renault appears to be on a roll.
In line with the German newspaper Handesblatt cited by Automotive Information Europe, VW needs to cooperate on a platform that can underpin its upcoming $21,500 (€20,000), and so it began discussions with Renault. The supply, citing individuals aware of the matter, notes that the talks are nonetheless “at a really early stage” and that they might result in nothing.
As luck would have it, Renault lately revealed its next-generation Twingo EV idea that’s slated to grow to be a series-production automotive in 2026 boasting a formidable vitality consumption of 160.9 watt-hours per mile. That’s 50% extra environment friendly than present small EVs.
On the similar time, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume stated final month that the namesake automaker is engaged on a sub-$21,500 EV that would grow to be a actuality by the second half of the last decade. Thoughts you, this isn’t the EV that will probably be impressed by the ID. 2all idea revealed within the spring–that one will probably be a bit larger and can reportedly price underneath $27,000 (€25,000).
So at first look, it may appear that if the celebrities align excellent, we may see a Volkswagen and Renault tie-up that can battle the incoming wave of cheap-ish battery-powered automobiles from China. A minimum of in Europe, that’s.
On the Previous Continent, Stellantis–which owns extra manufacturers than I’ve fingers, together with Peugeot and Citroen–appears to be doing higher than VW within the EV recreation. The Citroen e-C3 was lately launched with a beginning price ticket of about $24,500 and extra reasonably priced fashions are set to be shipped from China due to a partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor.
This wouldn’t be the primary time Renault collaborated with a rival automaker to develop an EV. Again in 2020, the French carmaker debuted the current-gen Twingo ZE which is kind of the identical automotive because the discontinued Sensible EQ ForFour bought by Daimler.
What’s your tackle this: ought to VW get in the identical boat with Renault and set off in an inexpensive EV race with Chinese language firms? Tell us within the feedback under.