Volkswagen Aims to Slash New Car Development Times
German automaker Volkswagen (VW) is making efforts to reduce the development times of its new cars from 54 months to just 36 months. The move comes as the company seeks to keep up with the faster pace of development of its Chinese rivals. VW’s technical boss, Kai Grunitz, announced this initiative at the recent Munich Motor Show, stating that the upcoming Volkswagen ID 2 is one of three pilot models working towards the shorter 36-month development cycle. The company aims to have the ID 2 on the road by the end of 2025.
Grunitz acknowledged that Chinese competitors have been successful in achieving shorter development times and expressed confidence in VW’s ability to do the same. He emphasized the need for new simulation tools and validation methods to support the accelerated development process. This includes reducing on-road validations, test cycles, and cold-weather testing. However, Grunitz also acknowledged that shorter development cycles come with inherent risks, as it becomes difficult to predict the outcome of the process. Nonetheless, he believes that VW can adopt a more agile approach, similar to its Chinese competitors, and find solutions as challenges arise.
Grunitz specifically mentioned BYD, a Chinese competitor known for building quality cars within shorter timeframes, as a company he respects. He praised BYD’s platform strategy, low costs, and excellent battery technology. In an effort to improve efficiency, VW plans to collaborate more closely with suppliers and integrate their technology and ideas into its models. This shift marks a departure from VW’s previous approach of developing everything in-house. Grunitz stated that the company is now focused on developing interfaces with input from suppliers.
The VW technical boss also addressed concerns regarding the quality of cars developed within shorter timeframes. He acknowledged the well-publicized problems with the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen ID 3, both of which were developed using the longer 54-month cycle. Grunitz assured customers that VW would not release cars with numerous faults. He emphasized the challenge of reducing test cycles while maintaining the expected quality standards.
To further streamline the development process, VW intends to carry forward around 70-80% of a model between generations and make only 20% changes to introduce new features and functions. This approach aims to strike a balance between continuity and innovation.
Overall, VW’s decision to reduce development times reflects the need to adapt to the rapidly evolving automotive industry. By shortening the cycle, the company hopes to keep pace with Chinese competitors who have demonstrated success in delivering quality cars within shorter timeframes. The shift also requires VW to adopt new simulation tools, validation methods, and closer collaboration with suppliers. While there are risks associated with shorter development cycles, VW is confident in its ability to find solutions as challenges arise. By implementing these changes, VW aims to deliver cars that meet customer expectations in terms of quality and innovation.
In conclusion, Volkswagen’s decision to slash new car development times is a strategic move to compete with its Chinese rivals. The company aims to reduce the cycle from 54 months to 36 months, allowing it to bring new models to market more quickly. To achieve this, VW plans to develop new simulation tools, validation methods, and closer collaborations with suppliers. While there are inherent risks, VW is confident in its ability to overcome challenges and deliver cars that meet customer expectations. By streamlining the development process, VW hopes to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive industry.