Volkswagen ID.Golf’s Launch Pushed to 2029 Amid Rising Delays: Report

Volkswagen’s New Electric Models Facing Delays Amid Software Struggles

The much-anticipated Volkswagen ID.Golf and other models built on the Volkswagen Group’s revolutionary Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) are now set to arrive later than initially projected.

According to reports from Manager Magazin, as cited by Electrive, the launch of the Volkswagen ID.Golf has been delayed by 15 months and is now expected in 2029. Meanwhile, the T-Sport, a large SUV, won’t be hitting the roads until 2031—three years later than planned.

Challenges Ahead for Volkswagen

Volkswagen is grappling with hurdles in ramping up its current electric vehicle (EV) sales. The first half of the year saw a slight decrease in sales figures, suggesting that the delay in next-generation models could exacerbate the situation.

Sources reveal that the Volkswagen Group Board of Management made the decision to delay the SSP-based models on July 2, though an official statement has yet to be released.

Software Development Issues

One of the primary reasons for the postponement is ongoing software development challenges. The E3 2.0 software architecture for the SSP platform, being developed by VW’s software subsidiary Cariad, is reportedly behind schedule.

In a recent move to address these software woes, Volkswagen announced a $5 billion partnership with Rivian. This collaboration indicates that software might indeed be a significant bottleneck. Additionally, there are rumors that the SSP platform will initially use an "Adapted E/E Architecture" before fully integrating the Volkswagen-Rivian developed software by early 2030.

Extended Use of Current Platforms

Due to the delays, Volkswagen will continue to rely on its existing platforms longer than initially planned:

• MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix)
• New MEB+ Platform
• MEB-Small announced in 2021
• Premium Platform Electric (PPE)

The original aim was to have SSP replace almost all these existing platforms with various versions of SSP and unified battery cells by 2025. However, those plans have now been postponed.

Conclusion

Volkswagen is facing significant challenges in its journey towards electrification. The delays in launching the ID.Golf and the T-Sport due to software issues and development setbacks underscore the complexities involved in transitioning to new technology platforms. As Volkswagen continues to grapple with these issues, it will have to rely on its existing platforms to maintain market presence. Keep following @automotivefyi for the latest updates on this evolving story.