VW Anhui reportedly plans no new models for 2027-2028 as ID. UNYX sales fall short

• Volkswagen Anhui had considered launching a crossover in 2028, but that project has also been put on hold.
• An internal document shows a 2027 sales target of 128,000 vehicles for the ID. UNYX series, compared with just 11,360 sold in the first 9 months of this year.

Volkswagen Anhui reportedly has no new models planned for 2027 or 2028 as sales of its ID. UNYX series fall short of expectations, adding pressure to the German automaker's EV transition in China.

The Chinese EV joint venture had expected much stronger demand for the ID. UNYX series than has materialized and remains unprofitable, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing 2 people familiar with the matter.

Management had believed the existing lineup would be sufficient to establish the brand and drive sales through 2028, according to 1 of the people.

The company had considered introducing a crossover in 2028, but that project has also been put on hold, according to Reuters.

Volkswagen China told Reuters it was focused on expanding and optimizing Volkswagen Anhui's dealer network to reach more customers and achieve sustainable growth, but declined to comment on questions about product strategy.

The company also said Volkswagen Anhui was in the midst of a product offensive, with 4 models on sale and a product pipeline extending beyond this year.

Volkswagen China said it would introduce 30 new energy vehicle (NEV) models in China through 2029, including products from Volkswagen Anhui, while refreshing the ID. UNYX series to keep it competitive.

The response did not specify whether Volkswagen Anhui would add any all-new models in 2027 or 2028. Refreshes of existing models and additions to the lineup are distinct elements of its future product plans.

An internal document dated late October and reviewed by Reuters showed Volkswagen Anhui plans to produce 33,000 ID. UNYX vehicles this year and has set a sales target of 128,000 for 2027.

By comparison, the ID. UNYX series recorded sales of 11,360 vehicles from January through September this year, according to data from consultancy ThinkerCar cited by Reuters.

Volkswagen Anhui's current ID. UNYX lineup comprises the all-electric ID. UNYX 06 SUV, ID. UNYX 07 sedan, ID. UNYX 08 SUV and ID. UNYX 09 sedan.

The ID. UNYX 08, jointly developed with Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV), went on sale in April, but sales since its launch have fallen far short of targets, Reuters previously reported.

Volkswagen Anhui has sought to attract customers through rapid model refreshes and price cuts. In September, it updated the ID. UNYX 08 about 5 months after its roll-out, offering a limited-time starting price 17.4% below its April launch price.

In October, the company updated the ID. UNYX 06 and ID. UNYX 07, adding LiDAR-based driver assistance and lowering entry prices. It subsequently launched the ID. UNYX 09, its second model jointly developed with Xpeng.

Its sales network is also expanding. Volkswagen Anhui reached an agreement with FAW-Volkswagen in April allowing selected FAW-Volkswagen dealers to display and sell Volkswagen Anhui models through a "store-in-store" format.

Volkswagen Anhui was established in 2017 as a joint venture between Volkswagen and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC). Volkswagen increased its stake to 75% in late 2020.