Volkswagen announces subscription model and online purchase of ID models

With its recently presented new company strategy under the working title "Accelerate," Volkswagen has announced not only the faster ramp-up of e-mobility but also an acceleration of digital sales and the forced development of data-based business models. This summer, the group aims to test a subscription model for the ID.3 in six German cities that are not yet finally determined. In the pilot projects, usage-based billing and additional functions such as navigation services would be offered for the first time, and their acceptance will be tested, according to the group at the Volkswagen brand's annual press conference. An important prerequisite for the success of the digital additional functions is that this summer, as the only volume manufacturer, they will also be able to play updates "Over-the-air" for the ID.3 and ID.4 every 12 weeks, according to their own view. Looking ahead, the company expects additional revenue in the triple-digit million-euro range during the usage phase over the coming years.

Keeping up with Tesla: ID purchases should also be online

They also aim to make progress in online sales this year. Starting this week, customers have the opportunity to prepare significant steps in purchasing their ID.3 and ID.4 online and complete the purchase process at a dealer on-site. Starting this summer, the entire purchase process of the ID. family, from configuration to the conclusion of a lease agreement, will be completed online. With this, they are one of the first manufacturers to offer their customers the complete digital purchase of electric vehicles in Germany, according to the Wolfsburg team.

Digital used car platform with online purchase starting this summer

Also in the summer, a digital marketplace for stock and used vehicles is set to launch in collaboration with dealers. Customers could then choose from a wide range of offerings and purchase their vehicles online, according to the sketch. Online sales will then be gradually rolled out to European markets. At the same time, the trade will always remain an integral part of the process, even in online sales, and the most important link to the customer, as the company tried to allay concerns.

Model offensive to gain momentum with ID.4

The first ID.4 will be handed over to customers in many European markets in March. Deliveries in Germany will begin on March 26. By the end of February, 23,500 orders had already been recorded across Europe for the vehicle. With the all-wheel-drive version ID.4 GTX, the coupe ID.5, and the ID.6 X/CROZ for the Chinese market, Volkswagen is stepping up further this year. In this way, MEB is to be scaled globally.

“With this, we are once again making it clear: The Volkswagen brand is the Modular Champion of the group. Already today, around 80 percent of the group's volume is based on Volkswagen technology,” announced Ralf Brandstätter.

Overall, Volkswagen plans to deliver around 300,000 vehicles based on MEB to customers this year. Additionally, there will be about 150,000 hybrids. They have had a good start: In the first two months of 2021, despite the corona-related restrictions in many markets worldwide, 15,500 BEVs were delivered - an increase of 51 percent compared to the same period last year. In Germany, there was even an increase of 143 percent. With 16,300 PHEVs delivered, the worldwide increase for hybrids was 174 percent, in Germany even 291 percent, Wolfsburg rejoiced.