Volkswagen’s Zwickau facility has reached a major milestone this week with the production of its one millionth electric vehicle, marking a pivotal achievement in the company’s transition toward sustainable mobility.
The milestone vehicle, an ID.3 GTX Performance in Kings Red Metallic, is set to be delivered to a customer from Bavaria via the Transparent Factory in Dresden. The Zwickau plant, located in Saxony, has been at the forefront of Volkswagen’s electric transformation and now produces six fully electric models across the Volkswagen, Audi, and Cupra brands.
“Producing one million electric cars is a remarkable accomplishment by our dedicated team,” said Danny Auerswald, Plant Manager and Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH. “Despite the hurdles we’ve faced over the past few years, the workforce has consistently delivered high-quality vehicles on schedule. This success is something we can all be proud of.”
Zwickau was the first plant within the Volkswagen Group to switch entirely from combustion engines to electric vehicles, completing the transition in early 2022 with the launch of the ID.5. Since then, the plant has become a cornerstone of the Group’s electric mobility strategy. Nearly half of all Volkswagen Group electric vehicles registered globally originate from the Zwickau facility.
Uwe Kunstmann, Chairman of the General Works Council, praised the workers’ efforts, noting that “transformation is in our DNA.” He also pointed to future opportunities, particularly in the circular economy, which could position the plant as a pioneer once again.
The shift to electric began in earnest in November 2019 with the production of the ID.3, the first vehicle built on Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB). Over 2.3 million MEB-based vehicles have since been delivered worldwide. In 2024 alone, Zwickau produced more than 200,000 vehicles.
The plant, which has been operating under Volkswagen’s leadership since 1990, carries a long automotive history dating back to 1904. It once housed production of iconic models like the Trabant during the GDR era. The last combustion vehicle left the Zwickau assembly line in June 2020.
Beyond its role in EV manufacturing, Zwickau also contributes to the luxury segment by producing body components for the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. With a total investment of €1.2 billion for its electric transformation, the Zwickau plant represents one of the most ambitious factory conversions in the auto industry.
Looking ahead, Volkswagen says it’s exploring new strategic directions for the plant, particularly in the areas of sustainability and recycling, to ensure its competitiveness and secure future investments.