VW says new entry-level electric car to be built in Portugal
Volkswagen will build its 20,000-euro ($21,636.00) electric car launching in Europe in 2027 at its plant in Palmela, Portugal, its brand chief said on Monday.
Volkswagen has revealed that it will manufacture its first electric model in the ID.1 range in Portugal, at the Autoeuropa plant in Palmela. The launch of the vehicle, called ID.Every1, is scheduled for 2027, with a starting price of around 20,000 euros and a minimum range of 250 kilometers. According to Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen’s CEO, this car symbolizes the company’s commitment to affordable electric mobility.
The Portuguese government praised the decision, describing it as a “major step forward” for the country’s economy. The Minister for the Economy, Pedro Reis, pointed out that the manufacture of the new model guarantees the continuity of the factory in Setúbal and strengthens the network of national suppliers. The government also acknowledged AICEP’s contribution to attracting this investiment.
Thomas Gunther, CEO of Autoeuropa, celebrated the achievement as a turning point in the electrification of production. The initiative includes investments of hundreds of millions of euros to upgrade the plant, including implementing new production processes and the automation of battery assembly, which strengthens the automotive sector in Portugal.
In 2024, Autoeuropa had a turnover of around 3.8 billion euros, a workforce of 4,842, and a production of 236,100 vehicles. The industrial unit accounted for 4% of the country’s exports and contributed 1.3% to the national GDP in 2023, solidifying its position as a pillar of Portugal’s economy.
