On January 1, the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture announced that it would launch the Volkswagen ID. series in China. The Chinese automaker, JMEV, surpassed 130,000 electric vehicle sales in 2024, representing a significant 23.8% annual increase and cementing its position as the leading joint venture in China’s electric vehicle market. The current lineup on the official website features the ID.3 Good Version, ID.4 X Good Version, and ID.6 X available for purchase. The sequence presented roughly 105,223 and 70,029 units in 2023 and 2022, respectively, for comparison purposes.
In China, the Volkswagen ID.3 Good Edition is available in five trim levels, with a price range of 129,888 to 147,888 yuan ($17,800-$20,300), catering to diverse consumer preferences. All trim levels feature rear-wheel drive, driven by an advanced 125 kW (168 horsepower) and 310 Newton-meters powerful electric motor, paired with high-capacity ternary lithium-ion batteries that enable a remarkable 450-kilometer cruising range on a single charge, as certified by the CLTC testing standard. The speed limit is 160 km per hour.
The ID.4 X Good version made its official debut in July 2024, offering a range of trim options priced from 159,888 to 211,888 yuan, equivalent to approximately $21,900 to $29,000 USD. Powered by a rear-mounted, perpetual magnet synchronous motor, the vehicle delivers either 125 kW (168 horsepower) and 310 Newton meters in its base guise or 170 kW (228 horsepower) and 310 Newton meters in its high-performance configuration. The ternary lithium battery packs provide CLTC-certified pure electric driving ranges of 425 kilometres and 601 kilometres, respectively.
The Volkswagen ID.6 X is a spacious seven-seat pure electric SUV offered in four trim levels, priced between 259,888 and 329,388 yuan (approximately $35,600 to $45,100 USD). The Rear-Wheel Drive variant is equipped with a rear-mounted everlasting magnet synchronous motor delivering 132 kW (177 horsepower) and 310 Newton-meters of torque, or 150 kW (201 horsepower) and the same 310 Newton-meters, depending on the configuration. The All-Wheel Drive model features an 80 kW (107 horsepower) front-end asynchronous motor producing 162 Newton-meters of torque. Typical commercial lithium-ion battery packs exhibit a CLTC (charge-limited trickle charge) cruising range spanning approximately 460-617 kilometers.
Trying forward
In 2024, SAIC-Volkswagen reported a significant milestone with over 1.2 million vehicles sold, with the Volkswagen brand leading the charge at more than 1.14 million units, securing its position as the top-selling joint venture in China by sales volume. SAIC-Volkswagen has announced that it has signed a new agreement with both parties committing to expand their strategic partnership to 2040, effective from earlier in November 2024.
By 2030, SAIC-Volkswagen aims to introduce 18 fresh models, with 15 being specifically tailored for the Chinese market. By 2026, our strategic collaboration aims to successfully introduce three innovative products: a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sedan, a high-performance electric range extender (EREV) SUV targeting the premium market, and a fully electric SUV catering to diverse customer needs.
Supply: SAIC-Volkswagen
