It is the end of the iconic VW Golf, Tiguan SUV, T-Roc crossover and all petrol powered Volkswagens.
In a recent interview with the German publication, Automobilwoche, Volkswagen CEO, Thomas Schafer gave us a glimpse into the future of the Volkswagen brand and naturally, the discussion revolved around electric vehicles and how the zero-emission push signals the beginning of the end for ICE cars.
Moreover, later this year, Volkswagen intends to launch the next-generation Passat as a wagon only and Tiguan followed by a compact crossover for China in 2024, called the Tayron , along with a revamped T-Roc in 2025. Schafer says these will be the last of the ICE cars from the brand before it enters a new electric future.
Meanwhile, Thomas Schafer, Volkswagen CEO, stated, “T-Roc is the last new combustion engine in Europe that we see on the horizon. Of course, the others get even bigger product upgrades. But completely new vehicles are not in the plan after that, at least not so far. If the world develops completely differently than expected by 2026 or 2027, then we can also launch a completely new vehicle. I do not believe that. So far this is not planned.”
As for the Volkswagen Golf? Schafer says a “major product upgrade” will be introduced in 2024 to keep the model fresh and competitive until the end of the decade. However, he mentioned that there is no ICE variant planned despite the model getting refreshed which means it will definitely be an electric vehicle (EV).
Meanwhile Schafer mentioned that the Volkswagen Polo is likely getting axed globally as upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations will make it too expensive with a hybrid setup and stating that it would end up costing just about as much as the 2025 Volkswagen ID.2all, and that an ICE Polo simply would not make sense anymore.
Interestingly, while Volkswagen is entering a new electrified future, the brand will not forget its past and will continue to use the nameplates of its models moving forward, as a sort of homage to the ICE vehicles which we have loved for so long. The first example of this is the new ID. Tiguan crossover set to release in 2026.
Also as part of its ACCELERATE strategy, on its way to becoming a zero-emission, software-based mobility service provider, the company has reached a further milestone one year earlier than planned. To date, more than 600,000 ID. models based on the modular electric drive (MEB) platform have been delivered to customers around the world. The Volkswagen product range now comprises six ID. models.
The ID.3 was the first electric vehicle based on the MEB platform in 2019. Two and a half years after the launch of the first generation, the all-electric bestseller is now coming to the market with a comprehensive upgrade.
Schafer also said that the Golf name would live on as well in the form of an EV built on the MEB/MEB+ platform slated for after 2028. Volkswagen intends to sell only EVs in Europe from 2023 putting the brand ahead of the ban on new ICE car sales that may soon take effect in the EU.
