CUPRA has begun series production of its first 100 percent electric car, the CUPRA Born, at the Zwickau plant in Germany. Production of this new electric vehicle (EV) marks the start of a new era for the brand, which recently announced its electric offensive with the ambition to become a fully electric brand by 2030.
CEO Wayne Griffiths and the company’s Board Members visited Europe’s largest electric vehicle plant to mark the start of production of the new model. They were welcomed by Stefan Loth, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Saxony and former head of the Martorell plant.
Wayne Griffiths, CUPRA CEO, said: “With its emotional design and electric sportiness, the CUPRA Born is the impulse of the company’s transformation and the start of CUPRA’s electric offensive.
“Producing our first 100 percent electric model in Europe’s largest electric vehicle factory will provide valuable lessons as we look to build electric vehicles in Martorell from 2025 onwards. Our ambition is to produce more than 500,000 urban electric vehicles per year in Spain for different Group brands.”
The CUPRA Born is a key part of CUPRA’s international expansion. With this new vehicle, the company aims to increase the CUPRA mix to 20 percent of the company’s overall sales and to reach new international markets, especially in markets with strong demand for electric vehicles.
CUPRA will coincide the opening of its order books for Born with the launch of its new agency model, a new distribution strategy for a different customer relationship. Customers will also have the option to lease the CUPRA Born through a subscription model.
The Zwickau plant, where the CUPRA Born is being made, is the Volkswagen Group’s first production plant for 100 percent electric vehicles and is considered the largest and most efficient electric vehicle factory in Europe.
This plant has a daily output of up to 1,400 vehicles, with an annual production capacity of around 330,000 electric cars. In addition to the CUPRA Born, four other models including the Volkswagen ID.3, the Volkswagen ID.4, the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, are produced at the plant.
Stefan Loth, Volkswagen Saxony chairman of the board of management, said: ”It is an honour to produce a car as special as the CUPRA Born in Zwickau. We have a team experienced in the production of electric vehicles.
“The Born becomes the fifth model based on the MEB platform to be produced at this plant. In addition, this vehicle will be produced using renewable energies under the net CO2-neutral concept.”
The CUPRA Born is the brand’s first model to follow a net CO2-neutral concept, whereby energy from renewable sources is used in the supply chain. The model also features bucket seats made from sustainable materials sourced from the Mediterranean Sea.
By doing this, the new CUPRA Born will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and meeting European targets. Thanks to the collaboration with SEAQUAL INITIATIVE, the brand will also contribute to the circular economy and to the care of the Mediterranean and its environment.
