Volkswagen seeks to counter rivals with budget EV model

However good this thing is otherwise, "ID Everyone" is a horrible slogan for a new car. I wouldn't mind some manufacturer agreeing to not buy/sell your sexual history, creating radios which aren't vulnerable to remote controlling the car via buffer overflows, and otherwise treating cars like physical goods you own and can rely opon instead of hooks into your personal life.

Their marketing people have been detoxing from their cocaine binges recently, so the air is out

https://apnews.com/article/china-volkswagen-executive-deport...

The significant part of that story is there's no claim he used cocaine or recreational drugs "on the job" in China ...

  A senior executive for Volkswagen in China has been deported for allegedly using cocaine and marijuana while on vacation in Thailand, according to Chinese authorities and German media reports.

  Germany’s top-selling Bild newspaper [..] reported he tested positive for drug use after returning from a holiday in Thailand.

  Drug use is an administrative offense in China punishable by a 10- to 15-day detention and a fine of up to 2,000 yuan ($280).

  Thailand legalized marijuana in 2022 but Chinese authorities have warned that use of the drug overseas is equivalent to using it at home and subject to the same penalties.

Going to Thailand for weekend parties is a big thing in the China white dude expat scene.