Volkswagen Navarra will manufacture the T-Cross1, the new compact SUV of the Volkswagen brand. This was announced by Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Head of Volkswagen Production & Logistics today. Thus, the plant, which is producing the Polo since 1984, will build a second model for the first time in its history.
The new T-Cross will share its matrix with the Volkswagen Polo. With the production of a second model in the Spanish plant, the additional workload will raise production from currently 244,000 (2017) to around 350,000 units per year, depending on the evolution of the demand, and also the workforce is increasing by approximately 10 percent.
“With the production of the new T-Cross in Navarra we are again using the flexibility and advantages of our worldwide production network. That’s how we are increasing productivity and ensuring quality on the highest level – for our customers. This is possible due to a strong participation of the production already in the development phase of a car” says Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Head of Volkswagen Production & Logistics.
With the new T-Cross the Volkswagen brand extends its SUV model range in the fastest growing market segment in Europe. According to researches the compact SUV segment will approximately double during the next 10 years.
The Volkswagen Group has a committed investment of around 1 billion euros until 2019 to produce the Polo in Navarra, whose new generation was launched at the end of last year, and the new T-Cross.
Emilio Sáenz, President of the Navarra plant in Spain says: “We very much welcome the production of a second model in Navarra. We are very proud to contribute with our experience to manufacture the T-Cross, a SUV with advanced solutions and technologies from higher classes, which is going to satisfy the requirements and needs of our clients”.
The T-Cross, whose production is scheduled to start at the end of this year, expands the SUV offer by Volkswagen. T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg will now be the five SUV formats of the brand in Europe. The new T-Cross will also enrich the SUV range in China and South America.
Thanks to the MQB matrix, its innovative and spacious passenger compartment offers maximum flexibility and a range of assistance systems available in higher vehicle classes. It includes, as standard, the “Front Assist” (ambient traffic monitoring system) and “Lane Assist” (lane departure warning system). With a length of 4,107 mm, the T-Cross shows a charismatic appearance and offers a functional concept and maximum personalization.
