Volkswagen Anhui has started series production of the all-electric ID.UNYX 08 in the Chinese city of Hefei, marking the first vehicle developed in collaboration with Xpeng, in which Volkswagen holds a minority stake.
The launch follows a partnership announced in 2023, when Volkswagen Group acquired around 5% of Xpeng and began jointly developing a new China-focused electronic architecture alongside its software unit Cariad. The platform, known as China Electronic Architecture (CEA), reached production readiness in January 2026.
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While the CEA platform is set to debut in the upcoming ID.UNYX 07, Volkswagen has moved ahead with production of the ID.UNYX 08, which is based on Xpeng’s Edward platform, also used in the Xpeng G9. The company said the SUV reached production readiness in just 24 months.
The ID.UNYX 08 measures five metres in length, 1.95 metres in width and 1.69 metres in height, with a wheelbase of 3.03 metres, making it slightly larger than the G9. The model is offered in multiple configurations, including rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants, with power outputs aligned closely with those of its Xpeng counterpart.
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The SUV is equipped with 800-volt architecture and Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems, and will support over-the-air software updates. Volkswagen has registered three variants of the model with Chinese regulators.
Ralf Brandstätter, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said the model reflects the company’s localization strategy. “With the ID.UNYX 08, we are launching the Group’s largest electric vehicle offensive in China,” Brandstätter said. “The car is fully tailored to Chinese customer needs, equipped with cutting-edge technology, and was developed locally in less than two years.”
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He Xiaopeng said the project demonstrates the progress of the partnership. “With the ID.UNYX 08 entering series production, our cooperation with Volkswagen Group has delivered a tangible result,” he said, adding that both companies aim to create long-term value through continued collaboration.
Volkswagen plans to introduce more than 20 new new energy vehicle (NEV) models in China this year, spanning battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and range-extender vehicles. By 2030, the group aims to launch a total of 50 NEV models in the market.