VW Says ‘Nein’ to ID.7 in America – For Now

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Not even two months after detailing powertrain, battery size, and trim walk for the all-electric ID.7 sedan, Volkswagen has announced they are delaying its introduction.

Citing the handy catchall of ‘changing market dynamics’, VW sent a missive early this morning which spoke of the decision to put the ID.7 on ice in this market. Since the PR bumf indicated precisely zero indication as to the model’s new on-sale date stateside, it is technically correct to say the delay is indefinite. However, it is worth noting the ID.7 has been on sale across the pond since 2023 and has won a smattering of awards. Reading the tea leaves, it isn't a bad car.


This could be another canary in the coal mine that is EV sales in America, a segment whose take rate remain apace but not at the leaps and bounds of the last couple of years. Talking heads say EV sales in America rose a few percent in the first quarter of 2024 compared to this same time last year – but fell by a fifth compared to the Q4 of 2023. Anyone blessed with the gift of common sense knows this is largely thanks to the fact that early adopters have bought their fill of EVs; since sales cycles of vehicles isn’t what one would call short, it’ll be a spell before those same folks begin lining up again at dealers.


Meanwhile, electric vehicles can be a hard sell to everyone else, for a variety of reasons including but not limited to driving range and lack of public charging infrastructure. Your writer will defend to the death John Doe’s right to purchase or lease whatever vehicle they wish, whether that’s an EV for road trips or long box truck for running errands. It’s your money; get what you like.


But it won’t be a Volkswagen ID.7, at least not any time soon.


[Image: VW]


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Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • Jeff Arthur Dailey--If you really want to see a similarity between Chevy and Cadillac look at the 71 Chevy Caprice compared to the 71 Cadillac Deville more similar in looks than the 61s. Motor Trend even had an article comparing them and stating that you could buy a comparably equipped 71 Caprice and save thousands. The 1971 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala: Value-Priced, Cadillac ... YouTube · Rare Classic Cars & Automotive History 16 minutes, 53 seconds Feb 3, 2024
  • Buickman mostly cut and paste information. where is Jack Baruth when you need him?
  • ToolGuy In a perfect world (we don't have that), and a stable world (also no), one might expect the used EV pricing curve to follow the new EV pricing curve but with a lag. Overall that might be sort of what we are seeing but I will have to noodle on it more. (I know you can't wait.)
  • ToolGuy Ok after listening to the podcast (and re-listening to the relevant part while doing a painting job in the hot sun, won't make any significant pronouncements at this point) I was curious about the methodology. ¶ Here you go: "Methodology iSeeCars analyzed over 2.2 million 1- to 5-year-old used cars sold in May 2023 and 2024. The average listing prices of each car model were compared between the two time periods, and the differences were expressed as both a percentage difference from the 2023 price as well as a dollar difference. Heavy-duty vehicles, low-volume vehicles, vehicles discontinued as of the 2023 model year, and vehicles in production for fewer than four of the last five model years for each period were excluded from further analysis." ¶ So for any specific model, you have age and mileage and condition factoring in (think of the volume curve for 'new' models over the past 5 years). ¶ The overall averages have a -lot- of model mix going on. ¶ Random question: is the 'listing price' the listing price (likely) or the actual transaction price? (It matters if the listing prices were too optimistic a year ago, i.e., some of the 'drop' would represent more realism in the listing prices.)
  • Johnny ringo VinFast? The name sounds like some kind of a sports drink to me. The early reviews of their vehicles were absolutely terrible. The last vehicle I am going to buy is from a no-name company without any kind of reputation behind it. This reminds me of the Yugo-that was certainly successful.
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