VW Targets Performance Loss with 5-8% Fluctuation Goal
Volkswagen is making a late but calculated entry into China's fiercely competitive extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) market with its flagship six-seater SUV, the ID. ERA 9X. Developed by the SAIC-VW joint venture, the vehicle is aimed squarely at the premium segment dominated by domestic players like Li Auto's L9 and AITO's M9. The strategy centers on addressing a key consumer pain point: inconsistent performance.
To counter the common problem of EREVs performing poorly in low-battery states or extreme weather, Volkswagen engineered the ID. ERA 9X to maintain consistent power delivery. The company claims the performance difference between a full and depleted battery is narrowed to just 5% to 8%. Test data shows that at -30°C, the 0-100km/h acceleration is only 0.8 seconds slower on a low battery. At a high altitude of 3,650 meters, the difference is a mere 0.18 seconds. This is achieved through a combination of a 65.2kWh battery from CATL, providing over 400km of pure electric range, and a range extender based on the globally proven EA211 1.5T engine.
'Joint Venture 2.0' Tests German Standards on Chinese Tech
The ID. ERA 9X represents a critical test of Volkswagen's "In China, for China" strategy and a new "Joint Venture 2.0" model. This approach shifts from simply importing foreign technology to a model of co-creation, where the Chinese team leads product definition. The vehicle deeply integrates a local supply chain, using batteries from CATL and autonomous driving solutions from Momenta, while still being built to Volkswagen's rigid global engineering standards, which exceed 8,000 individual metrics.
This launch is a high-stakes experiment for Volkswagen, whose group-wide new energy vehicle (NEV) sales accounted for less than 4.5% of its total China deliveries in 2025. A successful rollout of the ID. ERA 9X could provide a viable blueprint for other legacy foreign automakers struggling to gain traction in China's EV market. The move is part of a broader offensive by VW, which briefly retook the position as China's top-selling car brand in February 2026, signaling its intent to aggressively defend its market share against domestic rivals.
Pre-Sales Begin March 30 in Crowded Premium Market
SAIC Volkswagen will begin accepting pre-orders for the ID. ERA 9X on March 30, with the official launch slated for mid-April. The company is entering a mature market where先行者 have already educated consumers, who are now shifting from novelty-seeking to demanding reliability and quality. The three-row SUV segment has become a battleground, with over a dozen automakers competing for market share.
The primary challenge for Volkswagen will be its slower product cycle. While Chinese rivals often iterate models within 12 months, VW's adherence to its global testing standards results in a 24-month development timeline. Whether the brand's reputation for quality and the ID. ERA 9X's specific technical advantages can overcome this speed disadvantage will be determined in the coming months. The vehicle's market performance will be a key signal for the future of all traditional joint ventures in China's new automotive era.
