Hot! Volkswagen: What's Next

[Shellshock]

Likely means you sit with your knees against the ceiling.

Its strange that they didnt test that

 

[Design FIRST]

Likely means you sit with your knees against the ceiling.

The ID.POLO should probably be just fine for folks no taller than 185cm.

 

[Rolf]

If you see Thomas (1.89m, 6ft 2 and half inches) sitting in the back he has just enough legroom and headroom so it is par for a 4.05m long car.

The ID. Polo still has a basic FWD chassis like any hatch with McPherson front strut and tortion beam rear axle with passive dampers and no active dampers as option. The boot is massive at 440ltr and has a very deep under floor which can be removed. A real genius feature for people who want more practicality carrying loads like plants in the boot.

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[Gor134]

Excellent styling. Sharp, crisp, and flared lines. Good proportions.

 

[KiwiRob]

It amazes me that the Polo,has an interior which feels much more premium than much more expensive cars from the premium brands.

This is how car interiors should look like. Physical HVAC, and physical buttons for the mirrors.

Take a look at the interior of the yellow car, the difference in spec is stark, its very spec dependent.

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[Rolf]

This is what VW needs to do to be able to become really competitive worldwide with their electric platforms, bring some of the Chinese specific models like the new ID. Unyx 09 and Aura models etc.

Volkswagen eyes Chinese-market cars for Europe to boost competitiveness
German giant outlines plans to cut complexity and boost competitiveness globally after profits slide

Volkswagen could build and sell some of its advanced new China-only models, such as the sleek new ID Unyx 09 saloon, in Europe as part of efforts to accelerate its transformation plan and boost its competitiveness.

Speaking after the release of the Volkswagen Group’s first-quarter financial results, in which the firm’s operating profit fell by 14% to €2.5 billion (£2.2bn), CEO Oliver Blume said the firm had made “tangible progress” in its transformation plan despite numerous global headwinds – but added that “we need to step up our transformation plan”.

To achieve that, Blume outlined a series of measures including “significantly cutting the number of models from about 150 currently and reducing the number of variants”. He didn’t go into specifics over which models might be cut, but the reduction is expected to hit “double-digit” percentages. He added: “We will focus on these projects that make a tangible difference for our customers.”

Other measures detailed as part of the transformation plan including a more focused approach to technology, reducing governance complexity at group level, increasing efficiencies and “right-sizing” production capacity to around nine million cars per year.

Adapting the group’s production strategy is considered vital to allowing it to compete against Chinese rivals operating highly streamlined production networks, especially as those firms start to build European factories.

Blume described closing plants as “the worst, most costly” option and said the Volkswagen Group was looking at how to utilise capacity on other projects. The initial focus is on taking on work from the defence industry, but Blume said he was open to the company building Chinese models – whether Volkswagen-derived ones or those from joint-venture partners – in its European plants.

The firm has just introduced a new China-only Compact Main Platform (CMP) that has been co-developed with Chinese firm Xpeng, which features an advanced electrical architecture and is designed to underpin a range of EVs developed specifically for China and built locally.

The first models using that platform were launched at the Beijing motor show recently, including the Volkswagen ID Aura T6 SUV and the striking ID Unyx 09 saloon. Blume hinted that those models could eventually be exported to markets such as South America, Asia, the Middle East and India.

He added: “It's too early to decide if we want to localise a Chinese platform in Germany, but if we would do it, our priority would be to take one of our own platforms first.

"This year we are ramping up the CMP platform, which is planned for 2027 in China. This work has to be done first, and then we could think about options in Europe and check which products could be the right ones.

“We are getting right now the feedback and response from the market for our first new product in China. Then we will decide, depending on the success we have in China, which models would fit in Europe, especially in segments where we are not present with our current portfolio in Europe.”

Blume said a “second step” could be to offer European production capacity for some of its Chinese joint-venture partners, which include MG owner SAIC and FAW, calling it a potential “clever solution to reduce [spare] capacities".

The Volkswagen Group’s push to introduce China-only platforms is part of a major push to regain standing in the region. Once the dominant player in the market, it has faced a stiff challenge from Chinese brands lately, with its sales in the country in the opening quarter of 2026 falling 20% year on year.

Blume said that “having a strong footprint” in China meant the Volkswagen Group's Western operations could benefit from “innovation, speed and practices”. He called the Chinese ecosystem “a blueprint in terms of architecture, including for our Rivian [software] joint venture in the Western world.”

Overall, deliveries in the first quarter of 2026 were down 4.0% year on year to 2.0 million vehicles, mostly due to declining sales in the US and China. The group sold 200,000 electric cars, down 7.7% year on year.

Volkswagen could bring this handsome saloon – and other Chinese-market cars – to Europe | Autocar

German giant outlines plans to cut complexity and boost competitiveness globally after profits slide

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[Merc1]

The German car industry is really resilient. Tough as nails and won’t give up, unlike say Detroit. I just wish VW would take the US market seriously.

M

 

[Merc1]

Such an interesting car, especially for a VW.

M

 

[Design FIRST]

I just wish VW would take the US market seriously.

M

They do, however in a diminished, reduced manner. Commercial vehicles (Traton), Scout, the cooperation with Rivian and exclusively ICE/Hybrid Chattanooga-assembled VW brand vehicles will be heavily prioritized. Volkswagen AG is in the process of executing a monumental strategic shift. China, the European economic area (EU+UK+Norway), India and Central-and South America will be the markets in which expansion is being targetted. The U.S. has become more of a "Carry on-with reduced effort, resources and entrepreneurial risk" affair.

 

[Merc1]

They do, however in a diminished, reduced manner. Commercial vehicles (Traton), Scout, the cooperation with Rivian and exclusively ICE/Hybrid Chattanooga-assembled VW brand vehicles will be heavily prioritized. Volkswagen AG is in the process of executing a monumental strategic shift. China, the European economic area (EU+UK+Norway), India and Central-and South America will be the markets in which expansion is being targetted. The U.S. has become more of a "Carry on-with reduced effort, resources and entrepreneurial risk" affair.

What you’re describing pertaining to the US market tho, isn’t really them taking the USA seriously. The ID Buzz could have been a major hit but it was overpriced and a terrible EV.



M

 

[Design FIRST]

The ID Buzz could have been a major hit but it was overpriced and a terrible EV.



M

Precisely this.

But also an issue that has become highly politicized. Recent frictions between POTUS Trump and German Chancellor Merz exemplify this. Although "issues" have existed considerably longer.

 

[lukeswiss]

What you’re describing pertaining to the US market tho, isn’t really them taking the USA seriously. The ID Buzz could have been a major hit but it was overpriced and a terrible EV.



M

Probably needed more range for the US market - but that must be coming. The US market already gets a nicer interior that we don’t. I hope the coming facelift gets us some nicer interior combinations. The new Polo gives me hope.

 

[Rolf]

Out of all the German brands VW are the ones in my opinion that have made a total turnaround, listened to their customers and brought back the good things of past models back into the next EV models. I am really excited for their future, the upcoming Golf 9 and ID Golf will be fascinating vehicles that can do well worldwide

 

[Design FIRST]

Out of all the German brands VW are the ones in my opinion that have made a total turnaround, listened to their customers and brought back the good things of past models back into the next EV models. I am really excited for their future, the upcoming Golf 9 and ID Golf will be fascinating vehicles that can do well worldwide

Yes, the Volkswagen as well as the BMW brands currently appear the most receptive German brands. One could add the quasi-German Skoda brand as well.

 

[Esp5]

This is what VW needs to do to be able to become really competitive worldwide with their electric platforms, bring some of the Chinese specific models like the new ID. Unyx 09 and Aura models etc.

Volkswagen eyes Chinese-market cars for Europe to boost competitiveness
German giant outlines plans to cut complexity and boost competitiveness globally after profits slide

Volkswagen could build and sell some of its advanced new China-only models, such as the sleek new ID Unyx 09 saloon, in Europe as part of efforts to accelerate its transformation plan and boost its competitiveness.

Speaking after the release of the Volkswagen Group’s first-quarter financial results, in which the firm’s operating profit fell by 14% to €2.5 billion (£2.2bn), CEO Oliver Blume said the firm had made “tangible progress” in its transformation plan despite numerous global headwinds – but added that “we need to step up our transformation plan”.

To achieve that, Blume outlined a series of measures including “significantly cutting the number of models from about 150 currently and reducing the number of variants”. He didn’t go into specifics over which models might be cut, but the reduction is expected to hit “double-digit” percentages. He added: “We will focus on these projects that make a tangible difference for our customers.”

Other measures detailed as part of the transformation plan including a more focused approach to technology, reducing governance complexity at group level, increasing efficiencies and “right-sizing” production capacity to around nine million cars per year.

Adapting the group’s production strategy is considered vital to allowing it to compete against Chinese rivals operating highly streamlined production networks, especially as those firms start to build European factories.

Blume described closing plants as “the worst, most costly” option and said the Volkswagen Group was looking at how to utilise capacity on other projects. The initial focus is on taking on work from the defence industry, but Blume said he was open to the company building Chinese models – whether Volkswagen-derived ones or those from joint-venture partners – in its European plants.

The firm has just introduced a new China-only Compact Main Platform (CMP) that has been co-developed with Chinese firm Xpeng, which features an advanced electrical architecture and is designed to underpin a range of EVs developed specifically for China and built locally.

The first models using that platform were launched at the Beijing motor show recently, including the Volkswagen ID Aura T6 SUV and the striking ID Unyx 09 saloon. Blume hinted that those models could eventually be exported to markets such as South America, Asia, the Middle East and India.

He added: “It's too early to decide if we want to localise a Chinese platform in Germany, but if we would do it, our priority would be to take one of our own platforms first.

"This year we are ramping up the CMP platform, which is planned for 2027 in China. This work has to be done first, and then we could think about options in Europe and check which products could be the right ones.

“We are getting right now the feedback and response from the market for our first new product in China. Then we will decide, depending on the success we have in China, which models would fit in Europe, especially in segments where we are not present with our current portfolio in Europe.”

Blume said a “second step” could be to offer European production capacity for some of its Chinese joint-venture partners, which include MG owner SAIC and FAW, calling it a potential “clever solution to reduce [spare] capacities".

The Volkswagen Group’s push to introduce China-only platforms is part of a major push to regain standing in the region. Once the dominant player in the market, it has faced a stiff challenge from Chinese brands lately, with its sales in the country in the opening quarter of 2026 falling 20% year on year.

Blume said that “having a strong footprint” in China meant the Volkswagen Group's Western operations could benefit from “innovation, speed and practices”. He called the Chinese ecosystem “a blueprint in terms of architecture, including for our Rivian [software] joint venture in the Western world.”

Overall, deliveries in the first quarter of 2026 were down 4.0% year on year to 2.0 million vehicles, mostly due to declining sales in the US and China. The group sold 200,000 electric cars, down 7.7% year on year.

Volkswagen could bring this handsome saloon – and other Chinese-market cars – to Europe | Autocar

German giant outlines plans to cut complexity and boost competitiveness globally after profits slide

www.autocar.co.uk

A wise decision, if you ask me. The high quality of Chinese cars isn't limited to China; they'll be everywhere in Europe, even though they won't be THAT cheap. Bringing these sedans and SUVs VW there, in my opinion, will only be beneficial, as they'll be slightly more premium VW models, but as competitive as any other. It's not the first time VW has aimed high with models, and these seem to be the ideal ones in terms of innovation.

We shouldn't forget the fact that it's a 50/50 partnership with Xpeng (I think), so the profits won't be the same, but everything else involved outweighs the benefits.

 

[Giannis]

vw is back

Exactly my thought.

Isn't it amazing what nice cars we can have, when manufacturers just listen to people and do not let designers draw their nightmares?

 

[Design FIRST]

The POTUS hiking tariffs from 15% to 25% ? Well, this kind of makes me a bit empathetic towards enthusiastic VW brand fans in the U.S. Possible outcome ? Chattanooga assembled rudimentary old tech Atlas and Scout REEVs. That may be about it regarding model assortment. The presently close software cooperation with Rivian ? Very crucial currently, but should push come to shove, VAG will focus more on Chinese partners Xpeng, SAIC, FAW and seek cooperation with perhaps BYD and/or Xiaomi. And should VW attempt to pitch EVs in the U.S., chances are high that they will be obsolete rewarmed leftover MEB and PPE architectures.

 

[Jonathan19]

Golf Post in thread 'VW Golf R 25th Anniversary'

Saturday at 7:17 AM

We have a secret to tell you.
Save the date: 05.05.2026, 11:00.

Volkswagen R / VWR on Instagram: "We have a secret to tell you. 👀 Save the date: 05.05.2026, 12:00. #PerformanceWeShare"

1,537 likes, 35 comments - volkswagen_r on May 2, 2026: "We have a secret to tell you. 👀 Save the date: 05.05.2026, 12:00. #PerformanceWeShare".

www.instagram.com

• Jonathan19

• 
• 

 

[Rolf]

Golf Post in thread 'VW Golf R 25th Anniversary'

Saturday at 7:17 AM

We have a secret to tell you.
Save the date: 05.05.2026, 11:00.

Volkswagen R / VWR on Instagram: "We have a secret to tell you. 👀 Save the date: 05.05.2026, 12:00. #PerformanceWeShare"

1,537 likes, 35 comments - volkswagen_r on May 2, 2026: "We have a secret to tell you. 👀 Save the date: 05.05.2026, 12:00. #PerformanceWeShare".

www.instagram.com

• Jonathan19

• 
• 

I hope this will be the Demon RS3 powered Golf R.

 

[Jonathan19]

I hope this will be the Demon RS3 powered Golf R.

Judging by the teaser, it looks like something really extreme and still in camouflage... Perhaps a concept featuring the 5-cylinder engine to hint at the arrival of the R 25th Anniversary.