On March 16th, Volkswagen launched the Volkswagen ID.2 all concept car, which costs less than 25,000 euros, and plans to launch 10 new electric vehicle models by 2026.
The Volkswagen ID.2 all is positioned as a pure electric A-class hatchback, based on the Volkswagen MEB Entry front-wheel-drive platform and will be launched in Europe in 2025. At that time, many media interpreted it as a pure electric version of the Golf model.
Thomas Schaefer, head of the Volkswagen brand, said in an interview with Automobilwoche that Volkswagen does not plan to develop a new generation of gasoline-powered versions of its legendary Golf model, marking the end of this series of models that originated in 1974, and also indicating the brand’s determination in the new energy transformation.
He said that the Golf 8 currently in production will be the last gasoline-powered version of this hatchback, and a series of updates are expected next year. Schaefer said that the automaker plans to retain the Golf name in future electric vehicle models, but the earliest possible release date is 2028.
“In this way, this car can be driven until 2030. Then we have to see how this segment develops. If the world’s development and expectations are completely different by 2026 or 2027, we may develop a completely new mode of transportation, but I don’t think so. At least not until now.”
The Volkswagen brand under the Volkswagen Group plans to make 80% of its European sales of electric vehicles by 2030, and 55% of its sales in North America, while the group’s goal is to reach 50% of global electric vehicle sales by then, although it looks difficult.
