Report: Weak demand for electric vehicles, Volkswagen's next-generation flagship electric vehicle Trinity production delayed until 2032

On August 12th, Eastern Time, according to media reports, Volkswagen Group's important model Trinity electric vehicle is facing a significant production delay. The compact SUV with high range, originally planned to be launched in 2026, is now expected to be delayed until the end of 2032. The Trinity model is key to Volkswagen Group's next generation electric vehicle product line, symbolizing the company's ambition in the electric vehicle field. However, other models including the successor to ID.4 and another electric SUV have also encountered production delays. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume stated that the company has halted plans to build a separate factory for the Trinity model, opting instead to integrate its production into existing facilities at the Wolfsburg main plant. Media reports citing sources familiar with the matter indicate that the reasons for this delay involve software issues and adjustments in market demand. With current soft demand in the electric vehicle market, Volkswagen needs to address this challenge by cutting costs. Delaying the release will allow the company to utilize existing vehicle platforms for a longer period, thereby reducing investment costs. The Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) is at the core of Volkswagen's electric vehicle strategy, aiming to provide standardized technological foundations for the next generation of electric vehicles and achieve higher levels of autonomous driving capabilities. Despite challenges in SSP development, Volkswagen is overcoming software hurdles through collaborations with other companies such as Rivian. The delay in Trinity's release is not the first adjustment Volkswagen has made to its electric vehicle plans. In the past, the company has also adjusted the release schedules of Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche E-Macan due to software issues and delays. Analysts point out that the delay in Trinity's release is a significant setback for Volkswagen's electric vehicle ambitions, and the company needs to work hard to get back on track and achieve its future mobility goals