Volkswagen Pre-Booking Their All-New, All-Electric ID.

Originally rolled out at the 2016 Paris Auto Show, the all-electric Volkswagen ID. concept is taking another step toward reality on May 8th with a Pre-Launch press conference live from Berlin.

The company seemingly appears to be taking a page from its main EV competitor Tesla by attempting to generate interest by showing off the car a bit early, taking preorders and offering a (likely pricier) Launch Edition to start.

This strategy works for Tesla and their diehard followers (Elonians? Muskivittes? Muskateers?), but can VW generate the same level of interest and enthusiasm for the ID.?

While the ID., which in concept form looks a little like a futuristic VW Golf, isn’t expected to go on sale in the U.S.A, it is an important step toward the company’s planned ‘EV future’.

The ID. kicks off Volkswagen’s all-new, EV specific, MEB Platform which the company hopes to expand into 300 all-electric model offerings by 2030.

Here in the states we can expect an all-electric Volkswagen crossover (what else?) sometime around 2022 which, according to Car and Driver, will follow the same design philosophy as the VW I.D Crozz Concept.

Or course, VW has built EVs before, notably the e-Golf, but that car is basically a compromise built off of the existing Golf chassis. Because of this the e-Golf is not as engaging to drive as the standard Golf, nor does it have the range to keep up with the more recent contenders like the Chevrolet Bolt, or the updated Nissan Leaf.

Although, in their press release VW doesn’t specifically that say they’ll be showing off the car uncovered, we’d hope that is the plan, especially if they are try to entice people to pre-book.

Jürgen Stackmann, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for Sales, Marketing & After Sales, will provide information on the pre-booking modalities and product details.

Whether you plan on buying, or just want to check out the future of Volkswagen, you can catch the Pre-Launch Conference right here on RPM News Weekly.

Follow the press conference here on May 08, 2019, 7:00 am ET.