One of Volkswagen’s Significant Announcements in 2023
Volkswagen, a German manufacturer, understands the importance of a gradual transition to fully electric vehicles. To achieve this, they have decided to continue producing certain models with conventional engines. These models have been highly successful in the past decade.
Thomas Schäfer, the executive director of Volkswagen, confirmed in the first quarter of 2023 that the internal combustion engines of some vehicles will be extended until the next decade. As part of this plan, Volkswagen is projected to release new generations of two SUVs and an estate. Let’s explore these models and their expected arrival dates at dealerships.
1) VW Passat
The Volkswagen Passat, known for its sedan version which has already been electrified with the new ID.7 in 2023, is currently available in its Estate version. The Estate offers a spacious boot with a load capacity of up to 1,780 liters. The base model, the Executive, is equipped with a 1.5 TSI gasoline engine or a 2.0 TDI diesel engine, delivering 150 horsepower. The price starts at €42,610.
The R Line variant of the Passat offers higher power figures, with up to 190 horsepower for gasoline units and 200 horsepower for diesel engines. In Spain, Volkswagen also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Passat. As mentioned by the CEO, Volkswagen plans to launch a new generation of the Passat Variant by the end of 2023.
2) Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan, another popular SUV, is also part of Volkswagen’s plan to continue offering models with combustion engines. Spy photos of the 2024 model have recently surfaced, indicating the upcoming release of a new generation. This latest generation will be available until the arrival of the fully electric model in 2026.
Currently, the Tiguan is offered in three versions: the basic Life, starting at €38,800, with a power output of up to 150 horsepower; the Urban Sport, which includes sporty additions; and the Tiguan R Line, equipped with the most advanced features such as a “Pro” Digital Cockpit instrument panel, sunroof, Matrix LED headlights, and “Valencia” 8.5J x 19 light alloy wheels.
3) VW T-Roc
The T-Roc, another SUV from Volkswagen, will mark the end of the combustion engine era for the company. It has been one of the best-performing vehicles in Europe, ranking among the top five in terms of units registered in Spain in 2022. However, its position has dropped outside the top 10 in the January-May 2023 period.
We are still awaiting the arrival of the second generation of the T-Roc. According to the CEO’s statements, the T-Roc will be the last production Volkswagen with a combustion engine in history. Its commercial life cycle will only end in 2032.
With the continuation of these three models, Volkswagen aims to maintain its traditional fleet for a few more years while gradually transitioning to a 100% electric factory in the second half of this decade. What are your thoughts on Volkswagen’s decision? Do you believe they should introduce a new generation for any other model, or is this the right approach?
Volkswagen has announced that they will continue producing certain models with conventional engines as part of their gradual transition to fully electric vehicles. Executive director Thomas Schäfer confirmed that internal combustion engines will be extended until the next decade. As part of this plan, Volkswagen is set to release new generations of two SUVs and an estate. The first model is the VW Passat, available in both sedan and estate versions. The estate version offers a spacious boot and comes with a 1.5 TSI gasoline engine or a 2.0 TDI diesel engine. The R Line variant offers higher power figures, and a plug-in hybrid version is also available. The new generation of the Passat Variant is expected to be launched by the end of 2023. The second model is the Volkswagen Tiguan, but no further details are provided about this model in the article.
Will the next generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan include any electric or hybrid options to align with the company’s transition to fully electric vehicles
There is no official information available about the next generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan and whether it will include electric or hybrid options. However, considering Volkswagen’s shift towards electric vehicles, it is possible that the company may introduce such options in the future to align with their transition. It would be best to stay updated with official announcements from Volkswagen for any information regarding the next generation Tiguan’s powertrain options.
How does Volkswagen’s announcement to continue producing certain models with conventional engines affect their PAA strategy?
Volkswagen’s announcement to continue producing certain models with conventional engines may impact their PAA strategy in a few ways:
1. PAA stands for “Powertrain, Modular Toolkit, and Battery Strategy,” which focuses on the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and transitioning to an electrified portfolio. By maintaining the production of conventional engine models, Volkswagen might be diverting resources and attention away from their EV strategy. This could slow down the development and introduction of new electric models.
2. The announcement might also result in a delay in reaching Volkswagen’s electrification goals. The company had set a target of selling around 1.5 million EVs annually by 2025. If resources and investments are diverted to conventional engine models instead, it may be challenging to achieve these targets.
3. From a branding perspective, the continuation of conventional engine models may create confusion among consumers who see Volkswagen as an automaker committed to electric mobility. This inconsistency in the product lineup might undermine Volkswagen’s reputation and positioning as a leader in the EV market.
4. On a positive note, the decision to produce certain models with conventional engines could cater to a segment of customers who are not yet ready to adopt electric vehicles fully. By maintaining these options, Volkswagen can still cater to the demand for traditional powertrain technology while gradually transitioning to an electric future.
Overall, Volkswagen’s announcement may have both positive and negative impacts on their PAA strategy. It will be interesting to see how the company balances their commitment to electric mobility while fulfilling the demand for conventional engine models.
2 comments
“I’m excited to see Volkswagen’s new models and last generations in 2023, but even more thrilling is the prospect of the end of combustion engines. A major step towards a greener future!”
“Volkswagen’s groundbreaking announcements for 2023 signals the company’s commitment towards a greener future. Excited to see their new models, final generations, and the end of combustion engines. Kudos to Volkswagen for leading the way in the automotive industry!”