Volkswagen begins mass production of ID. Polo and Cupra Raval in Spain

Volkswagen has launched series production of two low‑cost electric compact cars – the VW ID. Polo and the Cupra Raval – at its Seat plant in Martorell, near Barcelona. The start was marked by a ceremony attended by VW CEO Oliver Blume, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Seat‑Cupra CEO Markus Haupt and VW board member Thomas Schäfer. The models are built on the MEB‑Entry (MEB‑Small) platform with front‑wheel drive and a lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery, a configuration chosen to keep prices down. The ID. Polo’s base price is just under €25,000 and the Raval about €1,000 more, with higher‑spec versions initially above €30,000. Production capacity at Martorell is expected to reach up to 70,000 vehicles this year, roughly 40,000 of them the Cupra Raval, with first deliveries slated for summer. Volkswagen is investing several billion euros in the Spanish facilities, including a €3 billion plant upgrade in Martorell, a battery plant in Sevilla and state subsidies of around €400 million. The rollout is part of the group’s “urban electric vehicle family” aimed at delivering affordable EVs for the mass market, defending market share against Chinese competitors and establishing Spain as a European hub for electrified mobility.