Volkswagen will launch two hybrid models in North America
Volkswagen currently has two electric vehicles in its North American range: the ID.4 crossover, which has been the subject of numerous recalls, and the ID. Buzz van, but no hybrid model, which doesn't help. But things are about to change... later this decade.
Car and Driver reports that the German automaker will launch two hybrid vehicles in the USA and Canada over the next few years. These will be conventional, non-plug-in hybrids.
The news was confirmed by Volkswagen North America's President and CEO, Kjell Gruner, during a media roundtable at the New York Auto Show.
“We think that, for this market, with consumers here, regular hybrids are the right solution,” he said. According to him, plug-in hybrids “add a lot of weight and material costs”. Demand is also lower.
From what emerged from the meeting, the Tiguan and Atlas would be the two vehicles to receive the hybrid treatment, as Volkswagen wishes to bank on its best sellers. On the other hand, Gruner hinted that they will not be imported from Europe, but rather manufactured on our continent.
Remember that the Atlas is assembled in Tennessee, but our Tiguan comes from Mexico (like the Taos and Jetta). Unless something changes, the latter would be targeted by the 25% U.S. tariffs. Nevertheless, it's probably the one we'll see first, since the new generation has just been born. In the case of the Atlas, we'll probably see it after the renewal in two or three years' time.
The last hybrid model marketed by Volkswagen in our country was the 2016 Jetta Hybrid.
