Volkswagen has issued conflicting statements regarding the future of ID.3 production. Deputy Works Council Chairman Jürgen Mahnkopf said the model would remain at the Zwickau plant until at least the end of 2027. However, Volkswagen Sachsen spokesperson Christian Sommer denied the claim, confirming that production is still scheduled to move to Wolfsburg in 2027
Under Volkswagen’s 2024 ‘Christmas Peace’ agreement, Zwickau was originally set to retain only production of the Audi Q4 e-tron, with other models moved elsewhere. The automaker later revised those plans, confirming long-term production of the Cupra Born in Saxony while keeping the ID.3 at the plant in the near term.
The announcements have created uncertainty among Zwickau workers about the plant’s production future.
Volkswagen had initially planned to increase ID.3 production at its Wolfsburg plant alongside Zwickau before completely shifting production to its main factory in 2027. However, Mahnkopf claimed that only the ID.3 GTI would be manufactured in Wolfsburg for now, while regular ID.3 production would continue in Zwickau. The arrangement would help offset declining production volumes of the Audi Q4 e-tron and maintain a wider range of models at the Saxony plant. However, Volkswagen’s latest denial suggests that Zwickau could eventually be left producing just two models.
The December 2024 collective bargaining agreement had already outlined significant production changes for Zwickau. Under the original plan, the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born were to move to Wolfsburg in 2026 alongside their respective facelifts. Meanwhile, production of the ID.5 was set to end, while the ID.4 would be consolidated at the Emden plant, which already manufactures part of the model’s output. This would leave Zwickau focusing solely on the Audi Q4 e-tron and its Sportback version.
The outlook for Volkswagen’s Zwickau plant has improved slightly over the past two years. Although production of the ID.4 and ID.5 is scheduled to end this year, plans to relocate the Cupra Born to Wolfsburg have reportedly been cancelled, while the ID.3’s production transfer has been postponed. Wolfsburg had already been equipped to manufacture the ID.3 as an additional production option, but lower-than-expected demand meant the facility was never required to handle additional volumes. A complete transfer of ID.3 production is now expected to take place next year.
Zwickau currently has an annual production capacity of 300,000 electric vehicles.
Despite retaining its multi-brand status following the decision on the Cupra Born, the plant’s approximately 8,000 employees face further restructuring. With production expected to be limited to just two models, Volkswagen may reduce operations from two assembly lines to one. Furthermore, Zwickau is among four German production sites facing an uncertain future, with the possibility that all Volkswagen vehicle production at the facility could end after 2031.
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