As Tesla ramps up for a potential game-changer with its €25,000 electric vehicle, Volkswagen isn’t just sitting in the passenger seat. The storied German automaker, whose name translates to “the people’s car,” is gearing up to take the electric vehicle (EV) race across the finish line with a competitively priced contender of its own.

Volkswagen has set its sights on rolling out an electric car with a sticker price that matches Tesla’s prospective offering. The company plans to reveal a production version in 2025, making a strategic play to secure a significant chunk of the EV market.

But VW’s vision extends beyond European borders. The American market is crucial to the brand’s success, and even amid a slowdown in EV trends, Volkswagen is plotting a robust expansion of its electric lineup stateside.

At a recent Reuters conference in Detroit, Reinhard Fischer, senior vice president and head of strategy at VW Group of America, outlined the company’s bold plan: an electric vehicle under $35,000 for the U.S. market within the next three to four years. “We are not scaling back plans for EVs in the U.S. market,” Fischer affirmed.

This isn’t just any electric vehicle. VW’s approach is calculated, with production slated for North America—possibly at its existing plants in Puebla, Mexico, or Chattanooga, Tennessee, the latter of which already produces the ID.4 electric crossover.

Adding to its ambitious blueprint, Volkswagen is prepping to set up shop on a 1,100-acre site outside Columbia, South Carolina, for its electric Scout brand, further cementing its commitment to the EV market.

Battery production is also on the agenda. Volkswagen aims to keep it local by assembling batteries in North America. Partnering with PowerCo SE, plans are underway for a battery factory in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, set to break ground in 2024 and become operational by 2027.

If the stars align for Volkswagen’s strategic launch, this new EV could be cruising down American roads with a federal tax incentive of up to $7,500, sweetening the deal for consumers.

For now, Volkswagen’s most affordable electric bet is the Chattanooga-produced ID.4 crossover SUV, with a starting price tag of $38,995 before incentives. Eager to extend its EV portfolio, the automaker is also gearing up to introduce the ID.7 sedan to dealerships in 2024.

For investors and enthusiasts in the electric car sector, Volkswagen’s maneuver is a textbook example of competitive strategy. It highlights the importance of innovation, strategic positioning, and a keen understanding of market incentives. As the EV race accelerates, Volkswagen’s plans to deliver a Tesla rival underscores the shifting gears of automotive industry giants, revving up for a future driven by electric power.