Production of the Volkswagen ID.3 begins at Volkswagen's Transparent Factory

The Transparent Factory in Dresden has begun series production of the electric ID.3. This makes it the second production site for the car and already the fourth site in the world producing Volkswagen models based on the Modular Electric Drive Toolkit (MEB).

At the same time, Volkswagen is opening a new chapter in the Saxon capital. Over the coming years, the former 'Centre of Future Mobility' will steadily transform into the 'Home of the ID'.

The Transparent Factory is already the fourth site in the world producing Volkswagen electric cars based on the Modular Electric Drive Toolkit. The first site, the Zwickau plant, kicked off MEB production. At the end of 2020, the Chinese sites in Anting and Foshan also started production of MEB vehicles.

Together, these four plants have a maximum production capacity of more than 900,000 vehicles a year. The next sites in Emden, Hanover and Chattanooga are also preparing for MEB production. In addition to production, this will create new or expanded areas of business. There are currently 380 employees working at Volkswagen's Dresden site.

In future, significantly more vehicles will be handed over to customers in the Transparent Factory. To that end, a second delivery point was recently set up in the factory - which is unique in the automobile industry. The number of vehicle handovers to customers is expected to increase from 1,301 in 2019 and 3,296 in 2020 to more than 5,000 vehicles in 2021. The goal is around 9,700 deliveries a year by 2022.

The Functional Testing station in Dresden is being further expanded. It is an integral part of the worldwide network of testing stations for the overall vehicle development. Its focal points are the testing of assistance systems, mobile online services, engines and chassis.

In the Technical Vehicle Service, used vehicles will be inspected and repaired. Electric vehicles will also be prepared for delivery at the Transparent Factory. The goal is to deliver vehicles produced in Dresden primarily in Dresden.

Moreover, the topic of Production 4.0 will be driven forward in the Transparent Factory. The guiding principle is the automation and digitalisation of complex operations within assembly and logistics. Specifically, the factory will act as a planned pilot plant in the Company for the development and application of new technologies in real series processes.

At the beginning of 2021, the production area of the Transparent Factory was converted in preparation for production of the ID.3. The 'marriage' station, one of seven on the production line, where the body and chassis are bolted together, was adapted for new assembly tools including the installation of a system where the panoramic roof is fitted, plus gripping devices for installing the cockpit and seat system.