[RobertS]

VW has delayed its timeline for ID.3 deliveries for September. This largely part to VW's issues with the ID.3's software.

Volkswagen Has Bungled The Launch Of Its Most Important Car In Decades

There was a shakeup at the very top of Volkswagen this week, with Volkswagen Group chairman Herbert Diess stripped of his role as chairman of the Volkswagen brand. Yesterday, we learned a little more why.

jalopnik.com

The problems are the same as they were when we first got wind in February that something might be amiss: The car’s software, which Volkswagen still hasn’t completely figured out despite throwing likely billions of dollars into electric car development.

From the WSJ:

The ID.3’s internet connection is meant to allow owners to update the car’s systems wirelessly without having to make a pit stop at a dealership. Tesla already does this, but Volkswagen’s new army of software engineers has so far failed to establish a robust link between the car and the company’s cloud-based applications that it has been developing with Microsoft Corp.

There was also, of course, the pandemic, though software seems like one area of work that could’ve been continued at home.

“The last few months working under the difficult conditions of the pandemic have been a big challenge for the entire ID.3 team. That makes the imminent market launch of the ID.3 all the more important,” said Thomas Ulbrich, board member of the Volkswagen brand in charge of electric vehicle development, in a statement.

 

[RobertS]

Volkswagen has confirmed that ID.3 deliveries will start in early September.

The final timetable for the start of Volkswagen’s ID. family has been set: Binding orders for the 30,000 models making up the limited 1st Edition of the ID. 3 can be placed from June 17 in most European countries. As a token of thanks for their loyalty to the brand, Volkswagen is offering all pre-bookers wishing to take possession of their ID.3 1st as quickly as possible membership the 1st Mover Club. Delivery of the ID.3 1st to “First Movers” begins in early September.

“The Volkswagen brand’s large-scale electric offensive is literally taking to the road with the ID.3. This car underscores our mission to provide locally emission-free mobility fit for everyday use and affordable for all”, Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of the Volkswagen brand, said.

Membership of the exclusive ID.3 1st Mover Club
ID.3 pre-bookers can choose between two different options: The first is delivery of their ID.3 1st in early September, combined with membership of the exclusive ID.3 1st Mover Club. This membership includes various customer benefits – and a software update for two outstanding digital functions at the beginning of next year. At market launch in September, the App Connect function and the distance feature in the head-up display will not yet have been activated.

ID.3 pre-bookers with a little more patience can choose the second option when signing the purchase agreement for their ID.3 1st – with a delivery date in the fourth quarter of 2020. When the keys are handed over to the customer, this later version will be equipped with all functions.

Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Sales, commented: “Finally, our ID.3 pre-bookers have been given the long-awaited green light for emission-free driving pleasure. As a token of thanks for their loyalty to the brand and a gesture of appreciation for their patience during the long wait until ordering kicked off, we are offering all pre-bookers wishing to take possession of their ID.3 1st in September membership of the ID.3 1st Mover Club.”

By opening this community, Volkswagen is providing for an exchange of experience among all “ID.3 1st Movers” – and also establishing a direct line to Volkswagen. It will not only be possible to engage direct with customer enquiries, but will also enable Volkswagen to collect feedback on everyday experiences along with comments from ID.3 first drivers for use in further development. “To say thank you, all 1st Movers who are leasing their vehicles will not pay any leasing rates for the first three months”, Jürgen Stackmann said.

The general ordering system for ID.3 models begins four weeks later – and pre-bookers have the exclusive opportunity to join the 1st Mover Club until then.

Thomas Ulbrich, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for E-mobility, added: “The last few months working under the difficult conditions of the pandemic have been a big challenge for the entire ID.3 team. That makes the imminent market launch of the ID.3 all the more important. Locally emission-free driving, the highest quality standards and a thrilling drive experience – that is the new ID.3.”

ID.3 1st deliveries begin in early September

The final timetable for the start of Volkswagen’s ID. family has been set: Binding orders for the 30,000 models making up the limited 1st Edition of the ID. 3 can be placed from June 17 in most European countries. As a token of thanks for their loyalty to the brand, Volkswagen is offering all...

www.volkswagen-newsroom.com