Volkswagen AG has reportedly delayed the launch of its new ID.4 models from the next-generation Trinity EV project to the early 2030s. This decision is part of a broader reshuffling of plans for the delayed program, according to Reuters. The project, initially slated for a 2026 launch, was postponed due to software complications at the Cariad subsidiary, which has been facing challenges.
To address the delay, Volkswagen has developed a new version of its existing MEB platform and plans to release an updated ID.4 model in 2026. Volkswagen was initially set to release the new ID.4 and another electric SUV under the Trinity project using the SSP platform, designed by former CEO Herbert Diess to unify the group’s EV platforms.
According to Reuters, an internal document presented to the board revealed executives’ decision to delay the release of a larger vehicle on the SSP platform, opting to push back the launch of the new ID.4 and SUV to the early 2030s. However, an electric Golf on the SSP platform is still expected to debut later this decade. While Reuters couldn’t verify the document, Handelsblatt reported that Volkswagen is delaying new models due to weak electric car demand and cost-cutting efforts.
Trinity, one of several projects initiated under Diess, has been restructured by his successor Oliver Blume, aiming to simplify Volkswagen’s production network for the electric transition. Recently, the company acknowledged the need for substantial cost reductions and a decrease in production capacity to improve margins. This shift in strategy underscores the evolving landscape of the electric vehicle market, where factors like demand, technology, and cost optimization play a significant role in shaping the future of automotive innovation.
