Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess heaps praise on 1.2 km-long Tesla Austin factory

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 18 Mar 2022, 10:02 AM

Share Via

Follow us on:

Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess predicts Tesla facility in Austin to set new benchmark.Diess points to the upcoming VW facility for EVs in Germany

...

Volkswagen has unveiled the 2022 ID.Buzz electric microbus for both passenger and commercial vehicle segment. The two models, which are electric renditions of the iconic Kombi or Bulli from the past, will go into production later this year.

2022 Volkswagen ID.Buzz aims to continue the legacy of the Kombi or Bulli almost 72 years after the carmaker assembled the first editions of the iconic vehicle.

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Passenger electric microbus can seat up to five people. The rear seats can be folded to open up more space for luggage. Volkswagen says that it will also have a six-seater variant soon.

Volkswagen has not revealed details about the engine or the electric range of the ID.Buzz yet. The microbus will come with a 82-kWh battery pack and a 201-horsepower electric motor with a 145 kmph top speed. Volkswagen said that the battery can be recharged from 5 percent to 80 percent in just 30 minutes using a fast charger.

2022 Volkswagen ID.Buzz is based on the German carmaker's Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform. Currently, 30 percent of the electric vehicles produced by the group are based on MEB. By 2025, Volkswagen aims to take the figures to 80 percent.

View all Images

File photo: Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess speaks during an event to unveil the new Volkswagen ID Buzz electric van. (AFP)

Share Via

1/5

Volkswagen has unveiled the 2022 ID.Buzz electric microbus for both passenger and commercial vehicle segment. The two models, which are electric renditions of the iconic Kombi or Bulli from the past, will go into production later this year. (AFP)

2/5

2022 Volkswagen ID.Buzz aims to continue the legacy of the Kombi or Bulli almost 72 years after the carmaker assembled the first editions of the iconic vehicle. (AFP)

3/5

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz Passenger electric microbus can seat up to five people. The rear seats can be folded to open up more space for luggage. Volkswagen says that it will also have a six-seater variant soon. (AFP)

4/5

Volkswagen has not revealed details about the engine or the electric range of the ID.Buzz yet. The microbus will come with a 82-kWh battery pack and a 201-horsepower electric motor with a 145 kmph top speed. Volkswagen said that the battery can be recharged from 5 percent to 80 percent in just 30 minutes using a fast charger. (AFP)

5/5

2022 Volkswagen ID.Buzz is based on the German carmaker's Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform. Currently, 30 percent of the electric vehicles produced by the group are based on MEB. By 2025, Volkswagen aims to take the figures to 80 percent. (AFP)

Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess has once again heaped praise on Tesla and Elon Musk, especially calling out the American EV (electric vehicle) giant's fast-paced plans that are continuing to make an indomitable mark in the global automotive space. Diess was also mighty impressed with the 1.2-km long Tesla Austin factory and said it is more than likely to set new benchmarks once fully operational. He did, however, add that to remain competitive against Tesla, the new Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg is absolutely crucial.

Also Read - Tesla resumes production at Shanghai plant after two-day pause: Report

Diess has been an outspoken admirer of Tesla CEO Musk and has often credited him for re-writing the rules of the automotive world. Tesla is the undisputed leader in the world of EVs and its products are gradually catching up - in terms of sales - to conventional cars in a few countries like the UK as well. Most other automotive major brands are playing hard to play catch up with Volkswagen being one of them. “Even if I no longer talk about Elon Musk: he'll still be there and revolutionizes our industry and keeps getting more competitive quickly," Diess reportedly said, as per Reuters. "Elon's new factory - he calls it 'the machine that produces the machine' is impressive: 1.2 km long, 400m wide: all under one roof, no logistics from cell production to the final assembly. Once up and running it will very likely set some new benchmarks."

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars

UPCOMING

Volkswagen Polo 2024

999 cc

Petrol

₹ 8 Lakhs

View Details

UPCOMING

Volkswagen Tiguan 2025

1984 cc

Petrol

₹ 37 Lakhs

View Details

Volkswagen Taigun

1498.0 cc

Petrol

₹ 10.49 - 17.50 Lakhs

Compare

View Offers

Volkswagen Virtus

1498 cc

Petrol

₹ 11.56 - 19.41 Lakhs

Compare

View Offers

Volkswagen Tiguan

1984.0 cc

Petrol

₹ 32.79 Lakhs

Compare

View Offers

UPCOMING

Volkswagen ID.7

77 kWh

621 Km

₹ 70 Lakhs

View Details

But here is also where Volkswagen's decision to invest $2.2 billion at its new EV plant in Germany may help in taking the fight to Tesla. "I am so happy that we decided a new plant for Wolfsburg. Without that - no chance to compete."

The Wolfsburg facility for EVs is expected to start operations in 2026 with a per annum production capability of 250,000 units. It is also confirmed that the first product from here would be an electric sedan.

On the other hand, Tesla is working in top gear to bring its Texas facility closer to operation. Model Y crossover SUV will be the first model to drive out from here.

First Published Date: 18 Mar 2022, 10:02 AM IST