Volkswagen’s first model built on its China Electrical Architecture (CEA) platform, the ID.UNYX 07, is set to enter series production at the end of this year, underscoring the German automaker’s push to localise development and speed up product cycles in its largest market.
Frank Han, chief executive of CARIAD China, said at the WNAT-CES 2025 conference that production of the all-electric sedan will begin at Volkswagen Anhui on Dec. 31. The CEA platform, unlike Volkswagen’s global MEB architecture, was designed from the outset specifically for China and developed jointly by Volkswagen China Technology Company, CARIAD China, CARIZON, Xpeng and other partners.
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“The full development chain from architecture to complete vehicle integration was led by the China team and took just 18 months,” Han said, highlighting a significant acceleration for a group traditionally known for longer development timelines.
The ID.UNYX 07 has already completed regulatory filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and is scheduled to launch in 2026. Positioned as a mid-size pure-electric sedan, it measures 4,853 mm in length with a 2,826 mm wheelbase, offering more interior space than the existing ID.UNYX 06. It will initially be offered with a rear-mounted 170-kilowatt motor and a 59.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery supplied by Gotion, delivering a CLTC-rated range of 558 km. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive version is planned at a later stage.
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On intelligent driving, the model will be based on Horizon Robotics’ J6M platform and support L2+ assisted driving functions, according to CARIZON. Volkswagen’s China joint ventures are prioritising high-frequency use cases such as highway navigation and memory parking, rather than pursuing fully self-developed autonomous systems.
The launch comes as competition intensifies among joint-venture new energy vehicles in China. Sales data compiled by Yiche show models such as Toyota’s bZ3X and Nissan’s N7 gaining traction, while Volkswagen’s existing ID models have lagged behind. Market expectations are that the ID.UNYX 07 will be priced around 150,000 yuan ($21,200) or lower, testing whether the CEA platform can deliver meaningful cost reductions while keeping pace with increasingly localised Chinese rivals.
