[Hefei, March 13, 2026] Volkswagen Group is advancing its strategic transformation in China, rising up in the era of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) and consistently gearing its efforts toward market requirements and the needs of Chinese customers, as the delivery of new products and technologies accelerates. Today, the Volkswagen brand’s first fully connected all-electric full-size SUV, ID. UNYX 08, rolled off the production as planned. As an important step in Volkswagen Group’s “In China, for China” strategy, ID. UNYX 08 is the first production model jointly developed by Volkswagen and its Chinese partner XPENG, which progressed from the signing of the joint development agreement to series production in just 24 months. Built on authentic Volkswagen high-quality standards, the model is deeply integrated into the Chinese ecosystem, equipped with localized cutting-edge technologies such as the 800-volt ultra-fast charging technology and L2 advanced ADAS, as well as continuous evolution capabilities via over-the-air (OTA) updates. 

This year marks a key milestone in the accelerated delivery of Volkswagen Group’s strategic transformation, with around 20 locally developed new energy vehicles set to be introduced. Among them, the ID. UNYX 08 is scheduled to enter the market in the first half of the year. As these new models are introduced, the Group will further expand its presence in new market segments while continuing to advance its electrification and intelligent transformation. The ID. UNYX 08 is being gradually introduced into Volkswagen DSSO dealerships. Customers can book a test drive at these dealerships. 

Oliver Blume, Volkswagen Group CEO: “Three years ago, we launched our strong China strategy – and it is now coming into its own. The ID. UNYX 08 is the next impressive proof of this. The car was developed in China for China. With German engineering and local cutting-edge technology. Brought to market at breakneck speed – and at attractive prices. Vehicles like the ID. UNYX 08 are part of our ambition to become the global automotive tech driver”

Ralf Brandstätter, Volkswagen Group Board Member for China, said: “Our ‘In China, for China’ strategy is delivering results. With the ID. UNYX 08, we are launching the Group's largest electric vehicle offensive in China. On average, the Volkswagen Group is launching one new electric car every two weeks this year. That's ‘China Speed.’ The ID. UNYX 08 is the first Volkswagen model in a new generation of smart electric vehicles that will carry our strengths into the electric age. The car is fully tailored to Chinese customer needs, equipped with cutting-edge technology, and was developed locally in less than two years. This underscores the implementation strength of our partnership with XPENG.”

He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of XPENG, said: “With the ID. UNYX 08 entering series production, our cooperation with Volkswagen Group has delivered a tangible result. Built on mutual trust and close collaboration, this partnership allows both sides to combine our strengths and create long-term value. We look forward to continued cooperation and a win-win future.”

Dr. Robert Cisek, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand for China, said: “The ID. UNYX 08 – our first fully connected all-electric full-size SUV, is a direct result of listening to and rapidly responding to the trends of the Chinese market, achieved at China speed. It merges Volkswagen’s proven DNA for quality, safety and durability with robust local innovations forged through our joint efforts. As a new member of our ID. UNYX family, it leads our ICV offensive with tangible strengths. It is our first model based on an 800V SiC architecture, offering more than 700 km of range and super-fast charging. With L2 advanced ADAS and full over-the-air update capability, it delivers what Chinese customers truly need.”

Building Momentum for the Next Phase of Growth in China

Volkswagen Group is proactively advancing its transformation under the “In China, for China” strategy. Building on locally developed ICV technologies and a strong future-oriented product portfolio, the Group is actively competing in China’s dynamic new energy vehicle market. In 2025, Volkswagen Group’s electrification and intelligent transformation entered the “delivery mode,” as the results of its strategic transformation began to take shape. In 2026, this transformation will gain further momentum. At Auto China 2026, Volkswagen Group will showcase its revamped product and technology lineup for the ICV era.

To further advance the “In China, for China” strategy, Volkswagen Group continues to strengthen its local R&D capabilities in China. Through its local R&D center Volkswagen Group China Technological Company (VCTC) and software competence house CARIAD China, the Group is continuously enhancing its in-house development capabilities for core hardware and software technologies. The Group has established end-to-end capabilities in China covering the development and validation of new vehicle platforms and key technologies, regulatory approval and mass production readiness. At the same time, collaboration with local partners further improves development efficiency and the ability to respond to the needs of Chinese customers.

In 2023, Volkswagen Group entered a long-term strategic partnership with XPENG, focusing on product development and technological innovation to jointly develop two all-electric models. Following the ID. UNYX 08, the second model jointly developed by both parties will also enter the market this year.

Building on this solid foundation, VCTC, CARIAD China and XPENG have jointly developed Volkswagen Group’s first locally developed zonal electrical and electronic architecture — CEA (China Electronic Architecture). As the “smart brain” of the next-generation ICVs, CEA will support all powertrain types of Volkswagen brand models produced in China. The first model equipped with the CEA architecture is scheduled to enter the market this year.

Strong Product Strength for Chinese Customers

The ID. UNYX 08 is tailored specifically to the needs of the Chinese market. With body dimensions of 5,000 × 1,954 × 1,672 mm and an extra-long wheelbase of 3,030 mm, it delivers the largest size in its class, offering outstanding interior space. In terms of intelligent driving, the ID. UNYX 08 comes standard with the XPeng VLA full-scenario intelligent driving assistance system, delivering 1500 TOPS standard across all models – the highest intelligent computing power in its class, enabling L2 advanced ADAS capabilities. For the intelligent cockpit, it is the first Volkswagen brand model worldwide equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P intelligent cockpit chip across the lineup, supporting OTA updates to enable continuous feature and experience upgrades. In addition, the ID. UNYX 08 is also the first all-electric model of the Volkswagen brand worldwide based on the 800V high-voltage SiC platform, and features exclusive CATL batteries standard across all models. With a maximum range of over 700 km (CLTC), the combination of ultra-long range and ultra-fast charging provides users with greater peace of mind for electric mobility.

ID. UNYX 08

ID. UNYX 08

Meanwhile, the ID. UNYX 08 exceeds national requirements in 31 vehicle safety crash test indicators, providing a solid foundation for vehicle safety and reliability. 

During the development process of ID. UNYX 08, Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC) worked closely with XPENG. While integrating local innovations, VCTC led key development steps including product definition, technical validation and release, quality standards and driving dynamics tuning, ensuring the model upholds Volkswagen DNA of high quality, safety, while delivering the authentic Volkswagen driving experience.

Innovative production methods to achieve highest quality standards

Crafted on Volkswagen Group’s excellent automotive engineering expertise and Volkswagen Anhui’s advanced manufacturing system, the ID. UNYX 08 strictly follows the Group’s quality standards throughout the entire process of R&D, production and testing, while fully integrating cutting-edge automation and digital quality control technologies. 

Among these innovations, the manufacturing of the ID. UNYX 08 features Volkswagen Group’s first application of magnetic suspension nut feeder technology for chassis assembly. It enables zero-error bolt installation, strengthening the stability of EV-critical components including suspensions and battery packs and elevating chassis structural protection.

Before it rolls off the line, every ID. UNYX 08 undergoes exhaustive validation across 4,500 real-world functional scenarios and mandatory L2 advanced ADAS testing, guaranteeing the reliable quality and safety inherent to the Volkswagen brand.

Miroslav Khula, CEO of Volkswagen Anhui, said: “ID. UNYX 08 is a testament to Volkswagen Anhui’s manufacturing excellence and our commitment to Volkswagen’s benchmark quality DNA. Leveraging our advanced production systems and digital quality control capabilities, we turn global premium standards into tangible product excellence, crafting every vehicle with the precision and reliability that underpin Volkswagen’s electrification journey in China.”