The Volkswagen Group has long enjoyed a privileged position in the Chinese market, but the days of dominance are slowly coming to an end for them, as well as for some other European manufacturers.
The rise of Chinese manufacturers of affordable, tech-packed vehicles is hitting the pockets of traditional brands hard, forcing them to reshape their strategies. In response, Volkswagen's Audi sub-brand in China is teaming up with SAIC for a localized brand without the distinctive four circles (though it's still called AUDI), and Volkswagen has teamed up with Xpeng to create the ID. Unyx 08, which visually goes its own way and doesn't tie into the global offering.
The ID. Unyx 08 is a large electric SUV designed exclusively for the Chinese market and built on a dedicated EV platform, measuring 5.000 mm in length and with a wheelbase of 3.030 mm. The model will be available with one or two electric motors, with the most powerful version developing just under 500 horsepower. The electric motors will draw electrons from a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack manufactured by CATL, which is said to be sufficient for a range of up to 700 km according to the Chinese CLTC standard, and also allows for ultra-fast charging on an 800-volt architecture.
The exterior design represents a fresh start for Volkswagen – the VW badges are almost invisible, and design features include sharply pointed headlights, hidden door handles and premium details such as frameless doors and a wolf pattern in the rear light. The ID. Unyx 08 is not the only SUV that Volkswagen is planning exclusively for the Chinese market – far from it. The German giant is planning as many as 30 electric models that it plans to offer in China by the end of the decade under the “In China, for China” initiative.
There are not many official details yet, but everything suggests that Volkswagen is betting on a completely localized offering in China, different from its global models. If the model does reach production, it will send a clear message: traditional brands must adapt to the rapid development led by domestic competitors and electrification.
