Volkswagen will begin on 12 November 2026 in Emden, Lower Saxony, Emden with series production of the ID. Tiguan. The electric SUV bears the name of the group’s best-selling model worldwide. The start of production is significant for the site: as Volkswagen grapples with cost-cutting, the plant’s long-term workload remains uncertain.
The ID. Tiguan is set to follow the model lines ID.4 and ID.5 in the manufacturer’s electric range. The new model will be built in Emden for Europe. Volkswagen will continue to offer the Tiguan with petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains alongside it; these vehicles for the European market are made at the Wolfsburgplant. Sharing a name therefore does not mean that both variants are built at the same site or on the same technical platform.
Pre-orders for the electric Tiguan opened in Germany and other European countries on 13 October 2026. Volkswagen has announced a starting price of €42,695 and plans to launch the model in early 2027. According to the company, more than 8.3 million Tiguans have been produced since 2007. It will only become clear after its market launch whether the new vehicle can match that success.
Production is starting in Emden at a time of economic uncertainty. According to news agency dpa-AFX, the plant is one of four sites for which Volkswagen cannot guarantee a competitive allocation of work in the years from 2031 to 2034. The group is reportedly examining alternative uses. The launch of the new model does not amount to a specific decision on the future of the Emden plant.
Around 7,700 people work in Emden, where only electric cars are built. According to NDR, about 780 ID.4 and ID.7 vehicles are currently made there each day. The local works council is reportedly expecting similar production figures once Tiguan manufacturing has ramped up. This is the employees’ representatives’ expectation, not a guaranteed production volume.
For Volkswagen, the new model serves two purposes: the group is using an established name for its electric range while also replacing older electric model lines. For employees, however, what matters is how long the plant will remain in operation and the scale of its workload. A new production contract and a long-term guarantee for a site are two different things.
According to Volkswagen, the ID. Tiguan is based on the electric platform MEB+. Versions with different battery sizes and powertrains are planned. The ranges quoted by the manufacturer depend on the specific version. Alongside the technical specifications, demand after the market launch will be the main factor determining the model’s economic significance.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).