August 14, 2025 • 11 mins
Volkswagen is a global car giant, operating in a rapidly changing world. As technology evolves, new competitors emerge and global trade changes, Volkswagen has set itself a goal over the next decade of being the driver of global automotive tech.
David Tan, Product Manager at Volkswagen Group Australia, talks to Sean Aylmer about the future of Volkswagen, and the role EVs will play.
Volkswagen is a supporter of Fear & Greed. Sean Aylmer test drove a Volkswagen ID.4 Pro for this story.
Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to the Fear and Greed Business Interview. I'm Suan Almer.
Volkswagen is a global car giant operating in a rapidly
changing world as technology evolves, new competitors emerged, and global
trade changes. Volkswagen has set itself a goal over the
next decade of being the driver of global automotive tech
and a key part of this is, of course electric vehicles.
(00:26):
Volkswagen is a great supporter of Fear and Greed and
I've had the pleasure of driving one of the new
vehicles for a couple of weeks to see what it's like.
David Tanzy, product manager of Volkswagen Group Australia. David, welcome
back to Fear and Greed.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
At a very high level, what's the global vision and
how do evs electric vehicles fit into it.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
So the global vision, I guess for Volkswagen is we
really want to be at the forefront of electric vehicles.
We want to make sure we bring the best products
that we can for customers and talking on a local level,
we really just kind of want to make sure that
that is the key thing that we want to do.
As roubles in Australia we want to package an EV
(01:07):
at the right price with the right spec for our customers,
and that's definitely can be seen with the recent IEY
Form five that we just launched priced under fifty sixty
thousand rp.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Okay, does Volkswagen want to ultimately be primarily an EV
and I'm not talking this year or next year, but
longer term? Is it about being an EV company as
much as a nice and internal combustion engine company.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, so we have Volkswagen there is a future where
we do see EV's definitely being part of the majority of
our portfolio. But we do we really make sure that
the products that are brought to Australia, especially EV's in
the future, for example, that they are definitely price correctly
(01:52):
and have the right tech and the right range and
the whole package that's needed.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, well, do you think pricing will They're not expensive cars,
to be perfectly honest, but they're not cheap cars either.
Do you think there will increasingly be cheaper evs in
the future.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Yeah, so as years go on, you know, costs for
for let's say, tech or batteries and stuff like that,
we'll definitely see a positive change in there. But yeah,
in the future. That's definitely something that hopefully will be
the case. So that you know, for Volkswagen, we can
bring the right cars the right price, right, so that, yeah,
(02:32):
we can do well in Australia.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Yeah, say, talking about the right cars, you're launching the
ID for Pro, the ID five GTX here in Australia.
Were do I mean, I've been driving an ID for
proyor right. It's just fun. Yeah, Like at the end
of the day, I'm not a car guy, so I
can't tell you, but I get in. It sticks to
the right, acceleration is great, and it's fun. That's kind
(02:55):
of the best way I can describe driving it. And
I know Michael Thompson, my co host, he's been d
in the ID five g t X. He's guyting to
me about how much you love that car. Where do
they fit in Volkswagen's existing vehicle portfolio now.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Yeah, so the VOLKSAG ninety four and five. We're very
proud of this product. It is the first electric vehicle
that we've I guess in the SUV segment that we're
bringing to Australia. So yeah, it's a long I guess
a wait, a really long awaited time that we really
wanted to bring this car in and yeah, it fits
really nicely between let's say, really well with the tig
(03:35):
One for example, which is our ice car. But this
is a BEV I guess alternative, like as you as
you can, as you can.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Say, what are you hoping for in terms of not
all sales, but like what do you want people to
think about it when they go for a driving it.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, definitely fun, right, definitely comfy and very livable. That's
that's the main, I guess, key thing that we want
to say. It's it's the main message we want to say.
It's it's still a Volkswagon, but it happens to be electric.
So that's that's that's the concept that we want to see, right. So, yeah,
the quality is built in Germany, has great tech, has
(04:10):
great quality, and that's that's that's the key element that
we want to strive for.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Yeah, it's interesting you say that it's still a Volkswagen,
so you're not the only manufacturer. We say the same thing.
And the thing about I mean, the one I'm driving
it is still a Volkswagen. It still looks like Volkswagen.
Still it doesn't quite have the same sound of some
of the older Volkswagen. To be perfectly honest, it'll look
quite yeah, yeah, yeah, but that whole sense that it
is still a Volkswagen is important.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yes, yes, one hundred percent is important because that's what
our customers are are really I guess looking for, right
They want that brand identity, they want a Volkswagen, and
this has come into play. That's that's what we want
to give you. And we're going to make it even
more exciting making an electric vehicle, making it progressive and
(04:56):
futuristic and fun at the same time.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Okay, so in terms, it's all right for me to
talk about how much I love driving the car, right,
but at the end of the day, it's someone going
to buy it. I like the idea that you've established
partnerships such as with Ampoles to support customers switching to evs.
Tell us how that Ampole one works and if there
are any others in the offering.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, So we do have a partnership with Ampole, and
I guess the main thing is they're one of the
largest in the country, right, So yeah, at this stage,
how we've partnered with them to actually do for our
first cars that arrived in Australia, we did a charging offer,
so a charge offer where one of the first customers
(05:39):
are able to receive a standard installation and also a
charger included with the car for frend. So yeah, that's
kind of one of the I guess key things that
we've already done and that's incentivizing I guess all the
customers who really want one to get even more value
from there.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So yeah, yeah, yeah, and his partnership's kind of one
of your sales methods going forward.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Partnerships. We definitely are open and we do look to
make sure that what we offer to the customers something
that is very valuable and that's something that we see
in Airpole and yeah, and as they grow their their
am charge network, it's just going to make it a
lot more easy and accessible for Volkslangen.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Customers the Australian market. I'm interested in how you see
Volkswagen's EV sitting in the market because it is a
crowded market and there are many many Chinese manufacturers coming
into Australia which we never hear before in the IC market.
Where does Volkswagen fit in all this?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, So, Volkswagen, we want to be still the I
guess the mass premium manufacturer, we still want to provide
really quality vehicles. And yeah, like you said, it's a
very competitive market at the moment, and that's the key
thing is we need to make sure that we package
and respect the right cars at the right price to
(07:02):
make sure that it becomes it still states competitive. So yeah,
that's I guess one of the key things that we
really need to focus on as we as we go
into the future.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
And do you get a sense that the Australian market
is particularly different to other markets, be they German or
Asian markets?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah, so in Australia it is. Australian buyers are very
are very let's say, they're very unique in a sense
where we ben Yeah, yeah, you know, we Austrained buyers
are very unique in a sense where they actually want
value and they want a really nicely spect car for
a good price. And normally, let's say in other markets,
(07:43):
let's say for this German market, they're they're very I
guess independent in terms of how they structure their their
portfolio and how they spect the cars. Right, But in
Australia we need to make sure that everything is aligned
perfectly in terms of specting price.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
So when you talk about specs in the voles made
in evs, what are the things that you've got that
Australians really want.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yeah, so ID four pro right, the Intravenant in our
id range is really really well inspect is one of
the most competitive in the market. We've got a large
battery eighty two killer what our we've got Matrix LD's
massage seats, you've got a glass roof, panoramic glass roof. Right,
you've got a massive screen top point nineteen screen. So
(08:27):
it's very highly spect and at a price of under
sixty k RP that there is value. So that's that's
the thing. Right, So I think a lot of customers go, hey,
that car. It's once they test drive it, for example,
they'll they'll see the value in the car. Yeah, there's
a lot of a lot of great specs in ninety
(08:48):
ninety range at the moment.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yeah. The thing I really noticed about I mean, I
said it was said, it's a fun car, but it's big.
The interior is big, and I think that's an EV thing.
It's not just a Volkswagen.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Once you get in, there's so much room.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yeah, Yeah, there's plenty of room. So in the rear seats,
for example, you can see three people real comfy right
because for example, the battery is it's the bottom of
the car, so that battery system is at the bottom,
which which in turns make the car very stable when
you're driving. And there's no transmission tunnel, so there's a
flat floor in the back. So everyone's comfy with their
(09:24):
with their sharing the room in terms of their feet
and everything.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
So my boys piece, So I have two boys who
are six foot seven and they actually have to they're
wary when they're get into cars because of the headroom
and they've got gaps between their head and the roof,
which they love. And if my kids are happy, David,
I'm happy exactly. So final question with the future of
EVS and the future Volkswagon in Australia.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, so future in Volkswagen in Australia and EVS, we
definitely want to make sure that we bring the cars
that Germany do offer as best we can, and you know,
whatever products that's globally released in Germany will all evaluate
and make sure that if it's viable for our market,
we'll want it. So that's the main thing. So yeah,
(10:10):
seeing all the new cars coming out from Volkswagen. Let's say,
for example, the ID DOT, every idea, every one, it's
called concept. It's the concept of having a very let's say,
price pointed and affordable electric mobility solution. Right. So the
globally they're really pushing that and if we can in
(10:33):
the future have something like that in Australia, we're all
We're all for it.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Fantastic David, thank you for talking to Fear and Greed.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Awesome, Thanks, thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
That is David Tanned, product manager at Volkswagen Group Australia.
A supporter of this podcast. This is the Fear and
Greed Business Interview. Join us every morning for the full
episode of Fear and Greed, a business news you can use.
I'm Sean al Enjoy your day.
Welcome to the Fear and Greed Business Interview. I'm Suan Almer.
Volkswagen is a global car giant operating in a rapidly
changing world as technology evolves, new competitors emerged, and global
trade changes. Volkswagen has set itself a goal over the
next decade of being the driver of global automotive tech
and a key part of this is, of course electric vehicles.
(00:26):
Volkswagen is a great supporter of Fear and Greed and
I've had the pleasure of driving one of the new
vehicles for a couple of weeks to see what it's like.
David Tanzy, product manager of Volkswagen Group Australia. David, welcome
back to Fear and Greed.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
At a very high level, what's the global vision and
how do evs electric vehicles fit into it.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
So the global vision, I guess for Volkswagen is we
really want to be at the forefront of electric vehicles.
We want to make sure we bring the best products
that we can for customers and talking on a local level,
we really just kind of want to make sure that
that is the key thing that we want to do.
As roubles in Australia we want to package an EV
(01:07):
at the right price with the right spec for our customers,
and that's definitely can be seen with the recent IEY
Form five that we just launched priced under fifty sixty
thousand rp.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Okay, does Volkswagen want to ultimately be primarily an EV
and I'm not talking this year or next year, but
longer term? Is it about being an EV company as
much as a nice and internal combustion engine company.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, so we have Volkswagen there is a future where
we do see EV's definitely being part of the majority of
our portfolio. But we do we really make sure that
the products that are brought to Australia, especially EV's in
the future, for example, that they are definitely price correctly
(01:52):
and have the right tech and the right range and
the whole package that's needed.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, well, do you think pricing will They're not expensive cars,
to be perfectly honest, but they're not cheap cars either.
Do you think there will increasingly be cheaper evs in
the future.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Yeah, so as years go on, you know, costs for
for let's say, tech or batteries and stuff like that,
we'll definitely see a positive change in there. But yeah,
in the future. That's definitely something that hopefully will be
the case. So that you know, for Volkswagen, we can
bring the right cars the right price, right, so that, yeah,
(02:32):
we can do well in Australia.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Yeah, say, talking about the right cars, you're launching the
ID for Pro, the ID five GTX here in Australia.
Were do I mean, I've been driving an ID for
proyor right. It's just fun. Yeah, Like at the end
of the day, I'm not a car guy, so I
can't tell you, but I get in. It sticks to
the right, acceleration is great, and it's fun. That's kind
(02:55):
of the best way I can describe driving it. And
I know Michael Thompson, my co host, he's been d
in the ID five g t X. He's guyting to
me about how much you love that car. Where do
they fit in Volkswagen's existing vehicle portfolio now.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Yeah, so the VOLKSAG ninety four and five. We're very
proud of this product. It is the first electric vehicle
that we've I guess in the SUV segment that we're
bringing to Australia. So yeah, it's a long I guess
a wait, a really long awaited time that we really
wanted to bring this car in and yeah, it fits
really nicely between let's say, really well with the tig
(03:35):
One for example, which is our ice car. But this
is a BEV I guess alternative, like as you as
you can, as you can.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Say, what are you hoping for in terms of not
all sales, but like what do you want people to
think about it when they go for a driving it.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Yeah, definitely fun, right, definitely comfy and very livable. That's
that's the main, I guess, key thing that we want
to say. It's it's the main message we want to say.
It's it's still a Volkswagon, but it happens to be electric.
So that's that's that's the concept that we want to see, right. So, yeah,
the quality is built in Germany, has great tech, has
(04:10):
great quality, and that's that's that's the key element that
we want to strive for.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Yeah, it's interesting you say that it's still a Volkswagen,
so you're not the only manufacturer. We say the same thing.
And the thing about I mean, the one I'm driving
it is still a Volkswagen. It still looks like Volkswagen.
Still it doesn't quite have the same sound of some
of the older Volkswagen. To be perfectly honest, it'll look
quite yeah, yeah, yeah, but that whole sense that it
is still a Volkswagen is important.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Yes, yes, one hundred percent is important because that's what
our customers are are really I guess looking for, right
They want that brand identity, they want a Volkswagen, and
this has come into play. That's that's what we want
to give you. And we're going to make it even
more exciting making an electric vehicle, making it progressive and
(04:56):
futuristic and fun at the same time.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Okay, so in terms, it's all right for me to
talk about how much I love driving the car, right,
but at the end of the day, it's someone going
to buy it. I like the idea that you've established
partnerships such as with Ampoles to support customers switching to evs.
Tell us how that Ampole one works and if there
are any others in the offering.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah, So we do have a partnership with Ampole, and
I guess the main thing is they're one of the
largest in the country, right, So yeah, at this stage,
how we've partnered with them to actually do for our
first cars that arrived in Australia, we did a charging offer,
so a charge offer where one of the first customers
(05:39):
are able to receive a standard installation and also a
charger included with the car for frend. So yeah, that's
kind of one of the I guess key things that
we've already done and that's incentivizing I guess all the
customers who really want one to get even more value
from there.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So yeah, yeah, yeah, and his partnership's kind of one
of your sales methods going forward.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Partnerships. We definitely are open and we do look to
make sure that what we offer to the customers something
that is very valuable and that's something that we see
in Airpole and yeah, and as they grow their their
am charge network, it's just going to make it a
lot more easy and accessible for Volkslangen.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Customers the Australian market. I'm interested in how you see
Volkswagen's EV sitting in the market because it is a
crowded market and there are many many Chinese manufacturers coming
into Australia which we never hear before in the IC market.
Where does Volkswagen fit in all this?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, So, Volkswagen, we want to be still the I
guess the mass premium manufacturer, we still want to provide
really quality vehicles. And yeah, like you said, it's a
very competitive market at the moment, and that's the key
thing is we need to make sure that we package
and respect the right cars at the right price to
(07:02):
make sure that it becomes it still states competitive. So yeah,
that's I guess one of the key things that we
really need to focus on as we as we go
into the future.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
And do you get a sense that the Australian market
is particularly different to other markets, be they German or
Asian markets?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah, so in Australia it is. Australian buyers are very
are very let's say, they're very unique in a sense
where we ben Yeah, yeah, you know, we Austrained buyers
are very unique in a sense where they actually want
value and they want a really nicely spect car for
a good price. And normally, let's say in other markets,
(07:43):
let's say for this German market, they're they're very I
guess independent in terms of how they structure their their
portfolio and how they spect the cars. Right, But in
Australia we need to make sure that everything is aligned
perfectly in terms of specting price.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
So when you talk about specs in the voles made
in evs, what are the things that you've got that
Australians really want.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yeah, so ID four pro right, the Intravenant in our
id range is really really well inspect is one of
the most competitive in the market. We've got a large
battery eighty two killer what our we've got Matrix LD's
massage seats, you've got a glass roof, panoramic glass roof. Right,
you've got a massive screen top point nineteen screen. So
(08:27):
it's very highly spect and at a price of under
sixty k RP that there is value. So that's that's
the thing. Right, So I think a lot of customers go, hey,
that car. It's once they test drive it, for example,
they'll they'll see the value in the car. Yeah, there's
a lot of a lot of great specs in ninety
(08:48):
ninety range at the moment.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yeah. The thing I really noticed about I mean, I
said it was said, it's a fun car, but it's big.
The interior is big, and I think that's an EV thing.
It's not just a Volkswagen.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Once you get in, there's so much room.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yeah, Yeah, there's plenty of room. So in the rear seats,
for example, you can see three people real comfy right
because for example, the battery is it's the bottom of
the car, so that battery system is at the bottom,
which which in turns make the car very stable when
you're driving. And there's no transmission tunnel, so there's a
flat floor in the back. So everyone's comfy with their
(09:24):
with their sharing the room in terms of their feet
and everything.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
So my boys piece, So I have two boys who
are six foot seven and they actually have to they're
wary when they're get into cars because of the headroom
and they've got gaps between their head and the roof,
which they love. And if my kids are happy, David,
I'm happy exactly. So final question with the future of
EVS and the future Volkswagon in Australia.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
Yeah, so future in Volkswagen in Australia and EVS, we
definitely want to make sure that we bring the cars
that Germany do offer as best we can, and you know,
whatever products that's globally released in Germany will all evaluate
and make sure that if it's viable for our market,
we'll want it. So that's the main thing. So yeah,
(10:10):
seeing all the new cars coming out from Volkswagen. Let's say,
for example, the ID DOT, every idea, every one, it's
called concept. It's the concept of having a very let's say,
price pointed and affordable electric mobility solution. Right. So the
globally they're really pushing that and if we can in
(10:33):
the future have something like that in Australia, we're all
We're all for it.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Fantastic David, thank you for talking to Fear and Greed.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Awesome, Thanks, thanks so much.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
That is David Tanned, product manager at Volkswagen Group Australia.
A supporter of this podcast. This is the Fear and
Greed Business Interview. Join us every morning for the full
episode of Fear and Greed, a business news you can use.
I'm Sean al Enjoy your day.
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