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Volkswagen offers a significant discount on its 2023 ID.4 model as it gears up for new electric vehicles, while Polestar adjusts the Polestar 3's pricing before its market debut, stirring discussions about the market demand.
Volkswagen Offers $13,000 Discount on ID.4 EVs, Clearing Way for New Models
Volkswagen is running a fire sale, offering $13,000 off the 2023 ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus with a new lease deal as it prepares to launch new EVs, as per Electrek. The Volkswagen ID.4 was the fourth best-selling EV in the United States last year, with sales increasing 84% from 2022.
With a starting price of $38,995, the ID.4 is already among the most affordable electric SUVs in the United States. The Standard Range model, powered by a 62 kWh battery, has a range of up to 209 miles. The ID.4 Pro has a larger 82 kWh battery that provides a range of up to 275 miles.
The ID.4 is powered by a rear electric motor that produces 201 horsepower. The AWD ID.4 Pro models, which include a front axle, have up to 295 horsepower and 255 miles of range.
This year, Volkswagen announced that "most" 2023 and 2024 ID.4 models will be eligible for the full $7,500 EV tax credit. Only ID.4 models with US-made SK On battery components will be eligible.
Electrek reported in December 2022 that some 2023 ID.4 models use LG battery components due to a previous supply agreement. SK and LG Chem offer batteries for the RWD ID.4 models, including the 82 kWh battery pack. Meanwhile, SK batteries power the AWD and standard 62 kWh ID.4s.
Volkswagen has announced its latest lease offer, which includes a $13,000 discount on the 2023 ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus.
Only ID.4 models equipped with SK batteries qualify. The 2024 models with LG batteries are not included. Check the window sticker to see which battery is installed in the ID.4.
The announcement comes as Volkswagen prepares to make room for new electric models. VW has announced a longer-range ID.4 model for 2024 (read our review) and two new EVs, the ID.7 and ID Buzz.
Starting at $54,445, the new lease deal could reduce the starting price of the ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus to $41,445. That is less than the ID.4 S and the ID.4 Pro. Earlier today, it was reported that VW is sticking to its EV game plan in the United States, with plans to introduce a larger electric SUV in the coming years.
Polestar 3 Sees Price Cut Before Launch, Sparking Demand Questions
Polestar lowered the price of the Polestar 3 electric SUV in the United States before it went on sale, as per Teslarati, raising concerns about demand for the automaker's latest addition.
The Swedish automaker has announced that the Polestar 3 Long-Range Dual Motor Performance SUV's entry-level configuration will start at $73,400 and come standard with the company's Pilot Pack.
The Pilot Pack includes Pilot Assist driver assistance features, Park Assist Pilot, Lane Change Assist, and a Head-Up display. However, the vehicle will have more features at a higher cost, with each add-on raising the price slightly.
The Long Range Dual Motor with Pilot Pack and Plus Pack starts at an MSRP of $78,900.
The Plus Pack includes a 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system with 25 speakers and a subwoofer specifically designed for the Polestar 3. It also features bio-attributed MicroTech or animal welfare wool seats, 21-inch Plus wheels, and heated rear seats.
The Long Range Dual Motor with Pilot Pack, Plus Pack, and Performance Pack, which include upgraded wheels and a software performance upgrade that boosts horsepower to 517 and 0-60 MPH acceleration to 4.6 seconds, are now priced at $84,900.
Polestar 3 production will begin in South Carolina in the middle of this year, and the vehicle should be delivered to customers in Q2, as it is already being built in Chengdu, China.
Polestar struggled early in its presence in the EV sector, to the point that Volvo, its majority stakeholder (48 percent ownership), is ready to quit.
The company missed its reduced delivery targets for 2023 but reported growth over the previous year. It also says that some of its vehicles, including the Polestar 4, have been "well received" in the Chinese market.
Volvo is simply questioning whether Polestar is a good investment at this time. While the company is still in the early stages of its EV product roadmap, it may be time to divest from its majority stakeholder.
Photo: Erik Mclean/Unsplash
