Volkswagen Still Struggling with Electric Motor Shortages

According to a report from German media Handelsblatt on January 25, 2024, Volkswagen is still struggling with a shortage of electric motors at its Kassel automotive parts factory. The electric vehicle factory in Zwickau has been producing at a reduced rate since last week.

This has affected the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 models and the Audi Q4 e-tron. The reduction in production is expected to continue at least throughout the following week. Production of the Enyaq at Skoda’s main factory continues to be suppressed due to the shortage of electric motors.

It has been known that this bottleneck is related to the new APP550 motor being produced at Volkswagen’s Kassel automotive parts factory. According to insiders, errors occurred while expanding the production plant there, producing fewer electric motors on-site than technically possible. It is known that the problem lies in the system that delivers the stator for the APP550.

This factory can only achieve about 30% of the technically promised capacity. The backdrop to the bottleneck is the replacement of the 150kW PSM, which was used in the rear axle of many Volkswagen Group models, with the new APP550. This not only outputs 210kW but also delivers a maximum torque of 550Nm (instead of the previous 310Nm). At the same time, the new electric motor is more efficient, increasing driving range.

The new motor is installed in the ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7 model series and in the Audi Q4 e-tron, Skoda Enyaq, and Cupra Tavascan.

Furthermore, the Volkswagen ID.3 and Skoda Enyaq production was halted in Zwickau and Dresden in December 2023 due to sluggish demand for electric vehicles. Due to weak demand, Volkswagen suspended electric vehicle production on the Zwickau line 1 for about two weeks in October.