When Volkswagen (VWAGY) The German automaker introduced the ID series for electric cars in 2020, and said the ID stands for “smart design, identity and future technologies”.
The ID Series is Volkswagen’s first range of electric vehicles built from the ground up to be electric.
Serial defect
The series has done well for the company. ID.4, ID.5 and ID.3 were Volkswagen’s best-selling battery electric vehicles for the first half of 2022.
The ID series is said to have run into some difficulties, with Volkswagen reportedly recalling about 10,000 units of ID.3 and ID.4 electric models worldwide.
The recall was first reported by nextmove, a German electric car rental company, which said there was a “serial defect” in the ID.3 and ID.4 cells and that “due to a manufacturing defect, an increased self-discharge may occur.”
Dealers will contact customers and replace defective battery modules if necessary.
A Volkswagen spokesperson said the company would issue a statement regarding the recall.
Battery Parts Joint Venture
In April, Volkswagen recalled more than 200,000 ID.3 and ID.4 models to install workable software.
The company recently said that it is offering customers in select regions the opportunity to schedule a personal experience drive of an ID.4 SUV with the guidance of Alexa and Amazon. (AMZN) Voice controlled virtual assistant.
Separately, Volkswagen on September 26 announced a $2.9 billion battery parts joint venture with Belgian materials company Umicore with the goal of producing battery materials for 2.2 million fully electric vehicles annually by the end of the decade.
The two companies said PowerCo, the new battery company of the Volkswagen Group, and Umicore “will collaborate on sustainable and responsible raw material sourcing.”
Production is scheduled to begin in 2025 at Volkswagen’s first battery plant in Salzgitter, Germany. Volkswagen has said it wants at least 70% of its European revenue from electric cars by 2030.
