Volkswagen US dealers question if the new ID.7 EV can compete amid delays
For those of you waiting to get your hands on Volkswagen’s new all-electric ID.7 sedan, you will have to wait (at least) a little longer. VW is delaying the ID.7 launch in the US as dealers express caution.
VW delays US-bound ID.7 as dealer concerns arise
Volkswagen opened orders for its new flagship ID.7 electric sedan last August in Europe, with prices starting around $62,000 (€56,995).
Although the new EV was scheduled to launch in the US and Canada in the next few months, VW pushed back the release indefinitely last week. VW has yet to set a date for its rollout, but its dealers in the US seem okay with it.
John Luciano, a VW Nation Dealer Advisory Council member and owner of Street Volkswagen in Texas, said the ID.7 was a key part of the discussion at its recent meeting.
“We brought up a little bit of caution behind it,” Luciano said, according to Automotive News. Meanwhile, Luciano explained that most VW dealers support the ID.7 delay.
“Are we sure this is a good idea?” He added, “We didn’t know an exact pricing, but [it’s] definitely a $50,000 to $60,000 car, without incentives. Is there any chance of it being competitive? And we felt like [it’s] not.”
Still pretty much a sedan and likely an expensive one
Although VW dealers expected the new EV to be similar to the ID Space Vizzion concept, shown in 2018, the ID.7 is “still pretty much a sedan,” according to Luciano.
At 195.3″ long, 73.3″ wide, and 60.5″ tall, the ID.7 is similar in size to Volkswagen’s discontinued Passat (194″ long x 73″ wide x 59″ tall). Meanwhile, the ID.7 Tourer, recently launched in Europe, is closer to the concept dealers were looking for.
The ID.7s design gives the electric sedan a bigger back seat with more head and shoulder room, but the hatchback opens it up further.
Other VW dealers have expressed similar concerns about the ID.7 in the US. “I just don’t think an expensive electric sedan is in the cards for most Americans right now,” said Anthony Scala, who co-owns three VW dealerships (City Auto Group) in Chicago.
Unlike the new ID Buzz EV minivan, managers are not seeing strong demand for the ID.7. Volkswagen’s ID Buzz is set to hit the US market by the end of the year.
Scala, like Luciano, liked the ID.7 but thought the price tag, starting at around $60,000, was too high. “North of $50,000 for a sedan that doesn’t have the star logo, the ring logo or the BMW logo,” he added, “It’s a non-starter.”
Another major hurdle for VW is that the ID.7 is built in Germany, meaning it does not qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit.
Perhaps, more importantly, is the timing. If VW launched the ID.7 as planned, Luciano said big incentives would be needed to move inventory.
Despite wanting more models, “We need models that will actually get out into the market and work,” Luciano explained. “But that wasn’t going to work with no incentives.”
Electrek’s Take
Volkswagen delaying the ID.7 could work out in its favor. However, that’s only if the automaker can adjust prices or features to attract buyers.
Otherwise, VW could risk falling further behind with an outdated, more expensive model. With most automakers revealing plans to launch low-cost EVs in the US, the ID. 7’s expensive starting price could hinder sales.
Sedans are not selling in the US like other global auto markets, as SUVs and trucks continue gaining market share.
What do you guys think about Volkswagen delaying the US-bound ID.7? Are VW dealers right? Is it the right move? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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Germany is about to become home to Europe’s largest battery storage system – a massive 1 gigawatt (GW) / 4 gigawatt-hour (GWh) project in Jänschwalde, Brandenburg.
LEAG Clean Power GmbH and Fluence Energy GmbH, a subsidiary of US-based Fluence Energy (NASDAQ: FLNC), are teaming up to build the “GigaBattery Jänschwalde 1000.” The four-hour system will use Fluence’s Smartstack technology, its latest large-scale energy storage solution.
Once complete, Europe’s largest battery storage project will play a key role in stabilizing Germany’s grid and storing renewable power for when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. It’s designed to deliver essential grid services, support energy trading, and boost energy security as the country phases out fossil fuels.
LEAG’s broader “GigawattFactory” plan combines solar and wind farms with flexible power plants and large-scale batteries across Germany’s Lusatian energy region. “By constructing gigascale storage facilities, we’re addressing one of the biggest challenges of the energy transition: ensuring constant power regardless of the availability of renewable energies,” said Adi Roesch, CEO of the LEAG Group.
Fluence CEO Julian Nebreda described the project as a “milestone for the energy future of Germany and Europe,” adding that it demonstrates how collaboration and cutting-edge technology can “transform the foundation of our economy and our everyday lives.”
The German government recently reaffirmed the importance of storage in building a secure and affordable clean power system. With this 4 GWh giant, LEAG and Fluence are implementing that priority in one of Europe’s most coal-heavy regions.
Read more: Battery boom: 5.6 GW of US energy storage added in Q2
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![The Genesis GV90 is shaping up to be a real stunner [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Genesis-GV90-ultra-luxury-SUV.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The GV90 will be the brand’s largest, most luxurious SUV yet. With its official debut coming up, a production version of the Genesis GV90 was spotted in public for the first time, offering a closer look at the stunning SUV.
The Genesis GV90 is a stunning flagship SUV
Genesis vehicles already have a unique design that’s hard to miss. The big Creste Grille, Two-Line Quad Lamps, and smooth character lines offer a refined, luxurious look, but Genesis is planning to take it to the next level with the GV90.
The GV90 is an “ultra-luxe, state-of-the-art SUV,” according to Genesis. It will be the luxury brand’s new flagship vehicle and first full-size electric SUV.
We got our first look at the flagship SUV last March after Genesis unveiled the Neolun concept at the New York Auto Show.
The GV90 has been spotted out in public several times now, even flashing high-end features like coach doors and adaptive air suspension, but now, we are finally getting our first look at the production version in real life.
A new video from HealerTV shows the production version of the Genesis GV90 in action. Although it’s still covered in camo, you can see a few slight design changes from the concept shown last year.
The headlights and grille appear closer in design to its current vehicles, but other than that, the GV90 looks essentially the same up front as the Neolun concept.
Since it’s still covered, it’s hard to see where the headlights are connected at this point. From the side and rear, the GV90 looks identical to the concept.
Genesis has yet to announce an official launch date, but the GV90 could debut by the end of the year with sales expected to kick off in mid-2026.
The flagship SUV is rumoured to be the first vehicle to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which it claims will “provide 50% improvement in driving range” compared to its current EVs. It will also serve as a tech beacon, featuring Hyundai’s most advanced connectivity and safety tech.
We will learn official prices and final specs soon, but one thing is for sure: it won’t be cheap. The Genesis GV90 is expected to start at around $100,000, but higher trims could cost significantly more with added features and options.
Genesis is also introducing its first hybrid, the GV80, next year, followed by its first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) based on the GV70. The EREV is expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027. There’s also an off-road SUV in the works, which will likely arrive as a 2027 model.
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