As the automotive industry moves toward electrification, Volkswagen Group may be reviewing its plans. The German giant is considering extending production of several combustion-powered models beyond 2033.
Volkswagen's commitment to become an all-electric brand from 2033 dates back to October 2022. However, this 2033 deadline only applies to Europe. In other regions of the world, such as China or North America, Volkswagen has not yet planned to abandon combustion. But the target set by the German brand could well change. This is what our colleagues at Handelsblatt report.
Change of strategy at Volkswagen?
According to the German media, Volkswagen and Audi are considering extending the production cycle of several flagship models. The Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan and A3 are apparently affected. Some combustion vehicles from the brand with an anthology could even benefit from unscheduled updates. Enough to allow them to remain on the market until 2035, the deadline set by the European Union.
Unofficially, the German group justifies this change of direction by an electric market "that is struggling to take off". But no official information has been communicated. In 2024, sales of electric vehicles at Volkswagen declined. The manufacturer sold "only" 383,100 units, or 7.9% of total sales. However, the Wolfsburg firm has set itself an ambitious goal of increasing this share to 70% by 2030.
What is clear is that car manufacturers are waiting for signals from Brussels to know in which direction to go. It is said behind the scenes that the European Commission could reverse its decision and finally authorize plug-in hybrids beyond 2035.
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