Dieselgate has forgotten, Merkel accompanies the launch of the production of the Volkswagen ID.3

With the debut production of ID.3, Volkswagen is fully engaged in the world of all-electric vehicles. The zero-emission model will be produced in a newly renovated plant. German Chancellor Angela Merkel went on the spot to inaugurate the production, encouraging the manufacturer's initiative.

If Volkswagen reacts following the Dieselgate, the elected also seeks to silence criticism against him.

ID.3, a turning point for Volkswagen

On Monday, 4 November, Angela Merkel visited the Volkswagen factory in Zwickau, east of Saxony. Completely renovated, the establishment has started the production of the new ID.3, the fully electric compact of the German manufacturer. More than 35,000 customers have already ordered this model with prices starting just under 30,000 euros. "  This will mark a paradigm shift in mobility never seen in the history of the automobile,  " said the woman, saying that Germany will make "  great efforts  " to encourage the country to turn to the electric car.

The group aims to sell 22 million electric vehicles by 2028. Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said in a speech that ID.3 will make "  an important contribution to the breakthrough of electric mobility". At the Zwickau plant, Thomas Ulbrich, a member of the board, explains: "  The start of production of ID.3 marks a new era for Volkswagen, an experience comparable to the first Beetle or the first Golf. Herbert Diess adds: "  The question is not whether the electric car will win, but how fast this transition will be in the different markets. ". The Zwickau plant, in which Volkswagen is investing 1.2 billion euros, must be able to produce 330,000 electric vehicles each year starting in 2021.

Difficult deadlines for the "  Deutsche Qualität  "

Whether for Volkswagen or Angela Merkel, the inauguration of the Zwickau plant also has political significance.

The trial of the Dieselgate opened at the end of September, a few days after the Brunswick prosecutor's office requested the dismissal of Herbert Diess. The manufacturer, which will have by 2022 of eight factories producing electric vehicles, must make forget this episode highly publicized. Angela Merkel chooses to encourage the group, the price of the conversion to the electric that can damage its financial balance sheet. Volkswagen has already allocated 30 billion euros to develop its range.

Judged too lax for the car industry and its conversion to clean vehicles, the German Chancellor must also face criticism. His arrival at the Volkswagen plant is one of his answers. She said on November 3 that Germany would have one million charging points by 2030, reports Reuters. She also added staying open to hydrogen technology, and said she is studying the creation of an "  environmental bonus  ". It would in principle be equivalent to the conversion premium financed by the German Government and the car manufacturers.

Source: Bloomberg.