Volkswagen set to rival Tesla X from 2021 with new electric EV

The Germany-based automotive manufacturer, Volkswagen, is set to develop a fully electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) for China from 2021 as it seeks to compete with Tesla’s Model X, according to Reuters.

The new vehicle is the latest move in the automotive firm’s aggressive growth strategy in China, with electric cars granted preferential treatment by authorities.

VW chief executive, Herbert Diess, commented: “We plan to produce more than 22mn electric cars in the next 10 years.”

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Diess also confirmed that approximately half of VW’s engineers were working towards products destined for China.

It is expected that the ID ROOMZ will be the flagship electric car launched by the company in the Asian country, with its concept car capable of a “level 4 autonomous driving.”

Volkswagen head of e-mobility, Thomas Ulbrich, revealed that the automotive manufacturer will begin production of 33 electric vehicles by the middle of 2023 and will use the firm’s modular electric car (MEB) platform to develop the vehicles for Skoda, Audi, Seat and VW brands.