The firm is currently undergoing a wide-reaching cost-cutting initiative: Volkswagen brand boss Thomas Schäfer is reported to have announced a three-year programme to save €10 billion (£8.6bn), with measures including job cuts.
It followed Schäfer’s July proclamations that “the roof is on fire” and that the brand was “letting the costs run too high in many areas”.
This could indicate a need to streamline existing development programmes with a focus on cost efficiency.
The Volkswagen Group has form for sharing platforms with other firms: Ford is using its MEB EV platform for the new Explorer and an adjacent model, tipped to revive the Capri name.
The next Twingo, on the other hand, is tipped to become a production car by 2026, priced below €20,000 or €100 (£85) per month.
Key to this low cost will be the focus on efficiency (Renault claims the Twingo will yield 6.2mpkWh), rather than a large battery.
The use of the Renault Group’s Ampr Small platform (previously called CMF-BEV) should help to further reduce its price, with economies of scale provided by its use under the upcoming Renault 5, Renault 4 and Nissan Micra.