VW: ID.3 production also in Dresden

The Transparent Factory in Dresden, part of the Volkswagen Group, has commenced the series production of the fully electric ID.3, making it the second production site for the ID.3 alongside Zwickau. Globally, a model based on the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) is being launched at the fourth location. At the same time, the group announced the transformation of the previous "Center of Future Mobility" over the coming years into the "Home of ID.," which is expected to serve as a beacon of the Volkswagen brand in Germany, offering customers and visitors insights into the model family. This includes consulting and test drives, viewing the production, co-building the ID.3, modern event formats, and ultimately, the handover of electric vehicles. Another focus of the strategic realignment is the expansion into a research and innovation site aimed at driving innovative projects in small series for later use at high-volume production sites within the brand.

“In parallel, we are ramping up volume production at the electric car plant in Zwickau and at our two Chinese MEB plants week by week,” explained Thomas Ulbrich, Board Member for E-Mobility at the Volkswagen brand.

For Danny Auerswald, plant manager of the Transparent Factory, Dresden's production plays an important role within the brand. Here, visitors, customers, and guests are expected to come into direct contact with the mobility of tomorrow.

“We are a production site, visitor magnet, event location, testing laboratory, and delivery center—all in one. With the production start of the ID.3, we are giving the go-ahead for our strategic realignment,” believes Auerswald.

Since its opening in 2001, the Transparent Factory has produced the premium sedan Phaeton (84,235 units, 2001-2016), the Bentley Flying Spur (2,186 units, 2005/2006 and 2013/2014), and since 2017, the e-Golf (50,401 units). With the launch of the e-Golf, further development into the "Center of Future Mobility" also took place. Additionally, the so-called Functional Test Station in Dresden is being further expanded. It is an integral part of the worldwide network of test stations for complete vehicle development, focusing on the testing of assistance systems, mobile online services, engines, and chassis. Furthermore, the topic of Production 4.0 is being advanced in the Transparent Factory, meaning the automation and digitization of complex work steps within assembly and logistics. The factory acts as a planned pilot plant within the company for the development and application of new technologies in real production processes.