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Series production of Škoda’s new all-electric entry model, the Epiq, has begun at the Volkswagen Navarra plant in Pamplona, Spain. As part of the Electric Urban Car Family from the Volkswagen Brand Group Core (BGC), this marks an important step in strengthening synergies within the BGC: all four models from CUPRA, Volkswagen and Škoda will be produced at plants in Spain. After the current-generation Superb, the new Epiq is the second model in Škoda’s present European portfolio to be built outside Škoda Auto’s Czech plants, and the first Škoda model ever to be produced in Spain. This allows Škoda Auto to retain its own production capacity for other high-demand models. As a strategic cornerstone, the Epiq brings electric mobility to the dynamic entry-level segment and gives customers even greater freedom of choice. It is the brand’s first car built on the new MEB+ platform and its first model to fully embody the Modern Solid design language. Alongside the Peaq, the Epiq will play a key role in doubling the brand’s electric portfolio this year.

The SEAT & CUPRA plant in Martorell starts production of the CUPRA Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo, leading a new era for mobility as it is ready to electrify Europe from Spain.

​Joost Kessels has been appointed as Chief Development Officer, effective August 1, 2026. He will further strengthen SEAT & CUPRA’s role within the Group’s electrification strategy. His main challenge in this newly created position will be the consolidation of the success of the launch of the CUPRA Raval together with the Electric Urban Car Family as well as SEAT & CUPRA’s recently assigned mandate for the technical development of the Group’s electric MEB21 platform. These new responsibilities will be taken over gradually by the team in Martorell by the end of the decade.

The GTI for a new era: 50 years after the debut of the first GTI, Volkswagen is now presenting the first all-electric model with the world-famous badge – the completely newly developed ID. Polo GTI with an output of 166 kW (226 PS). It is a powerful and highly agile compact sports car that passes the 100 km/h mark from a standstill in 6.8 seconds – but at the same time is suitable for everyday driving. Like with the first GTI in 1976, the drive power of the new ID. Polo GTI is also transferred to the wheels via the front axle – a maximum of 290 Newton-metres that is available at lightning speed. This power is perfectly proportioned thanks to the electronically controlled front differential lock equipped as standard. The world premiere of the ID. Polo GTI took place today, Friday, at the 24h race at the Nürburgring. Pre-sales are scheduled to start in Germany this autumn at a price of just under 39,000 euros.

At the SEAT & CUPRA battery system assembly plant, every battery goes on an electrifying trip: from the assembly of its components to its installation in the car it will power

The TRATON GROUP successfully placed its debut Green Bond on the capital market with a volume of €500 million, a maturity of 5.5 years, and a fixed coupon of 3.875%.

The Audi Group performed solidly in the first quarter of 2026, a period marked by geopolitical and economic turbulence. Despite the global decline in the automotive market, the company increased its deliveries in Germany and Europe. While deliveries of battery-electric vehicles declined slightly overall, partly due to changes in subsidy policies, Audi-brand plug-in hybrids saw year-on-year growth of approximately 160 percent. In the first three months of the year, revenue reached 14.2 billion euros, operating profit rose to 588 million euros, and net cash flow stood at 883 million euros.

The Brand Group Core (BGC), the organizational entity combining the volume brands of the Volkswagen Group, closed the first quarter of 2026 with an operating result of 1.54 billion euros. Sales ran at 34.9 billion euros, and the operating margin was 4.4%. Compared with the prior-year period, unit sales rose moderately to 1.23 million vehicles. The development of results across all the brands of the Brand Group Core was buoyed by optimized product costs and consistent cost management. The negative impact of lower volumes in China and the USA was compensated for – bearing witness to sustained progress with efficiency measures.

As expected, the TRATON GROUP got off to a slow start to 2026, yet anticipates improved business performance in the coming quarters due to an increase in incoming orders and confirms its full-year forecast. While unit sales dropped by 6% to 68,600 vehicles (3M 2025: 73,000 vehicles) in the first quarter of 2026, as reported, the decline in sales revenue was more moderate, decreasing by 4% to €10.2 billion (3M 2025: €10.6 billion). With a share of 22% (3M 2025: 21%) of total sales revenue, the Vehicle Services business contributed positively to business performance. Incoming orders rose significantly by 18% to 87,800 vehicles (3M 2025: 74,300 vehicles) in the first quarter. As a result, the book-to-bill ratio increased to 1.3 (1.0).

Audi continues to gain speed in China. At the Auto China motor show in Beijing, the company is showcasing a comprehensive model portfolio that is more closely tailored than ever to the needs of Chinese customers. One highlight is the premiere of the electric AUDI E7X – the second production model developed for China by the AUDI brand. The four rings are also expanding their model initiative with the locally produced Audi A6L and Audi A6L e-tron, equipped with technologies designed specifically for the Chinese market. With its two partners, FAW and SAIC, and two strong brands, Audi is addressing diverse target groups. The four rings deliver “Vorsprung durch Technik” and premium products across different drive types, while the sister brand AUDI focuses on connected electric vehicles for highly tech-savvy customers. As part of the deepening collaboration between Audi and SAIC, the two partners have signed a strategic agreement to develop a new generation of AUDI models for China.