VW plans: Electric convertible from Osnabrück?

The convertible is dead – long live the convertible: Although the segment of open cars is shrinking drastically, the VW group wants to stick to it. Herbert Diess had already sketched an ID.3 convertible, which is unlikely to come to fruition in that form. However, it is certain that the "niche location" in Osnabrück, once the main Karmann site, is likely to build an electric convertible in the future. According to the platform "automobilwoche.de," the chances for this are good.

The factory, where the T-Roc convertible is currently produced, is considered by Diess to be "very competent as a niche convertible site." And the VW boss seems to be planning to maintain this major VW heritage:

"The next possibility must, of course, be an electric convertible. There are considerations at Volkswagen, there are considerations at Audi."

By December 9, 2021, the completion of the investment planning at VW for the next five years is also expected. According to the report, Diess said he is confident that Osnabrück will apply for production of our electric convertible. "I am very confident about that." In the previous planning round, Lower Saxony's Prime Minister and VW Supervisory Board member Stephan Weil had already hinted that there could be perspectives for e-mobility in Osnabrück, which is important to give the location a long-term perspective.

Currently, Emden and Hannover are being upgraded for e-mobility following Zwickau. As early as March, VW planned to move parts of Arteon production from Emden to Osnabrück to create more capacity for e-mobility in northern Germany, especially since the Arteon is produced in relatively modest numbers for VW.

Diess also commented, according to „automobilwoche.de“, on a possible opening of the new software division Cariad to partners from the supplier industry such as Bosch, Continental, or ZF. While participation of external partners is currently not foreseen, it is "principally conceivable in the future." This means that the software architecture of suppliers and OEMs could be interconnected even earlier and better in the future.

What does this mean?

VW seems to want to remain loyal to the convertible – at least with a Volkswagen or Audi model. And since large numbers are not to be expected due to the convertible slump, this would be the chance to continue operating the former Karmann factory in Osnabrück: because they are familiar with convertibles and small series there.