Volkswagen plans to build the Trinity model in Zwickau

Volkswagen's plans to build the Trinity model in Zwickau have met with a positive response in Saxony. René Utoff, acting head of Volkswagen Saxony's central works council, spoke of a "right signal for the Saxon locations" on Friday. "The SSP platform brings a future-proof perspective to Zwickau." He pointed out that, according to current plans, the thermal management system for the platform will also be built in Saxony: at the Chemnitz engine plant. "In this way, the Group is strengthening the production network in the region. Now we still need a viable perspective for Dresden."

For the Zwickau site - the e-car pioneer at Volkswagen - negative news had recently accumulated. Because of a weakening demand for electric cars, Volkswagen is cutting jobs there. Initially, there is talk of around 270 employees with fixed-term contracts who will have to leave. In addition, the company has terminated the company agreement on three-shift operation and production will be throttled in the next two weeks.

Now Volkswagen has called off the construction of a new plant in Wolfsburg and wants to build the new Trinity model planned there in a few years in Zwickau. There is talk of 2028 as the start. It is to be the first model on the new SSP platform, which will succeed the current platforms for electric cars in the VW Group. According to a spokesperson, the Zwickau plant will thus be the first to use the new platform. The aim now is to optimally align the site in economically difficult times. According to the information, the successor to the Audi Q4 e-tron will also be built in Zwickau like the previous model.

The decision shows VW's sense of responsibility for the Saxon location, said Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) at the request of dpa. "The works council and plant management have negotiated intensively and convinced the board." The deputy chairwoman of the works council at the Zwickau vehicle plant, Kristin Oder, also spoke of a vote of confidence with regard to the successor version of the Q4 e-tron. "The Group trusts our team in Zwickau to successfully master important start-ups in the Group, even under adverse conditions, as was recently the case with Corona."