manager magazin: Mr. Malorny, VW is selling its electric model ID.3 in Germany for 40,000 euros and in China for half; other manufacturers set prices similarly. Are we being ripped off as customers?
Christian Malorny: No, neither in Europe nor in China is money made at such prices. On the contrary. Car manufacturers will lose money with such prices in China.
Then why don’t they charge more?
Look at the sales figures. VW is still the strongest combustion engine brand in China. But the competition for electric cars there is currently merciless. So far, the Europeans have had no chance there. Especially not at these market prices.
VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer has announced that he will offer the ID.2 planned for 2025/26 for a competitive price of 25,000 euros. Is this doable?
Yes, such prices are theoretically possible; also for other European manufacturers. But this only works if you have full access to the value chain and therefore control over costs, from raw materials to sales. Some Chinese manufacturers have set up such a system.