After 40 years, Volkswagen is not constructing Polo fashions in Europe. VW has ended Polo manufacturing in Europe because it shifts focus to smaller, extra inexpensive EVs.
VW Polo manufacturing ends in Europe after 40 years
Volkswagen has been constructing Polo fashions in Pamplona, Spain, since 1984. Over 8.4 million Polos have been constructed on the Pamplona plant as considered one of Europe’s top-selling vehicles.
In accordance with the newest DataForce (through Automotive Information) figures, Volkswagen’s Polo was Europe’s eighth top-selling small automobile, with over 90,100 fashions offered this yr by way of August 2024.
Nevertheless, Volkswagen is getting ready to introduce a collection of smaller, extra inexpensive EVs, which will probably be constructed on the facility. The Pamplona plant is scheduled to start producing two small electrical SUVs in 2026.
The brand new electrical SUVs will probably be powered by a modified model of Volkswagen’s MEB platform, underpinning its present ID collection, together with the ID.4.
We received our first take a look at the small SUV final yr after Volkswagen unveiled the ID.2all idea. The ID.2all will sit beneath the ID.3 with beginning costs below 25,000 euros ($27,500).
Smaller, extra inexpensive EVs en route
CEO Thomas Shafer mentioned the ID.2all previews “the place we need to take the model.” The electrical SUV is anticipated to stand up to 279 miles (450 km) WLTP driving vary.
Volkswagen blended iconic design components from legends just like the Golf and Beetle with a contemporary improve to face out within the electrical period.
Head designer Andreas Mindt claims the ID.2 appears to be like “even higher” than the idea proven final yr as design work on the manufacturing mannequin wraps up. Mindt mentioned the low-cost electrical SUV “offers a preview of the brand new design language of Volkswagen.”
After revealing the inside for the primary time final December, Mindt said, “The way forward for Volkswagen interiors has arrived.”
Volkswagen claims the ID.2 will function a beneficiant storage quantity of as much as 47 cubic toes (1,330 liters). Mindt mentioned it’s uncommon to search out a lot cupboard space in a small automobile.
One of many coolest inside options is the brand new rotary knob, which lets you choose from totally different driving modes impressed by the Golf and Beetle. By turning the knob, you possibly can select between “Traditional,” which pulls from the Beetle period, or “Classic” modes, which is able to carry you again to the Golf period.
Final month, Volkswagen’s low-cost EV was noticed for the primary time out testing forward of its official debut.
Mindt additionally teased a barely larger ID.2all SUV mannequin, which is anticipated to launch shortly after the ID.2 in 2026.
Though VW ended Polo manufacturing in Europe, the mannequin will nonetheless be offered within the area. Nevertheless, manufacturing has been moved to its Kariega, South Africa plant. Volkswagen may also proceed constructing T-Cross and Taigo fashions in Spain, the corporate confirmed.
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