American drivers will have to wait a bit longer for a home-grown ID.4
Photo: Volkswagen
It’s a well-known fact that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic put a dent in the auto industry this year, with production grinding to a halt as factories closed down. Though the pandemic is far from over, Volkswagen has restarted production and is preparing to release a new batch of vehicles onto the market. Among them is VW’s ID.4 electric SUV, which will hit dealerships later this year. Production in North America will begin sometime in 2022.
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VW’s ID.4 in America
The VW ID.4 is the automaker’s most anticipated vehicle. Aside from a few well-circulated teaser images, a full reveal and detailing of the SUV has yet to occur. Despite this, VW still expects to deliver the ID.4 later this year. That schedule includes a 2020 American release but will be limited to imported units at this time.
Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will be the future site of ID.4 production. However, the plant still needs to complete a lengthy expansion and conversion process to be able to produce the EVs. These updates include an extension of the existing body shop, the installation of new manufacturing machinery, and the construction of a battery pack assembly building.
According to a report from The Chattanooga Times Free Press, VW is currently receiving shipments of equipment needed for the expansion. The battery building is nearly complete, and the hiring process for the ID.4 assembly line has begun. VW claimed last year that 1,000 new jobs would be created in Chattanooga to help expand the plant.
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VW’s ID.4 is expected to hit U.S. dealerships later this year, and be produced in Tennessee sometime in 2022.
Daniel DiManna hails from little Sylvania, Ohio. A graduate of Lourdes University with a degree in Fine Arts (which has thus far proven about as useful as a wet paper towel), Daniel’s hobbies/passions include film history, reading, fiction/non-fiction writing, sculpting, gaining weight, and adding more toys, posters, books, model kits, DVD’s, screen-used props, and other ephemera to his already shamefully monumental collection of Godzilla/movie monster memorabilia. His life goals include a return trip to Japan, getting a podcast off the ground, finishing his novel, and yes, buying even more monster toys. See more articles by Daniel.
