Tag Archives: VW

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VW Polo will be manufactured in South Africa

Four decades have passed since Volkswagen started production of its B-segment supermini car, the VW Polo, in Spain. However, from now on this model for the European market will be produced in South Africa.

The VW Polo was introduced in 1975 and over time became one of the German manufacturer’s best-selling cars, with over 8 million cars produced in the Spanish factory. The growing pressure to produce electric cars forced Volkswagen to transfer the production of this model to another contingent. Two new affordable electric cars that Volkswagen plans to launch by 2026 will be produced in Spain. It will be the Volkswagen ID.2 X and Škoda Epiq, based on the MEB Entry platform.

Thus, VW plans to invest more than one billion euros in order to adapt the production plant to new electric models. However, the workers employed in this factory are asking what will happen until the moment when the production of electric cars starts. We are talking about a period of less than two years. Forecasts say that the factory will produce 1/4 million vehicles this year and only 150,000 units in 2025.

The new VW ID.2 will be produced at the Martorello plant and will hit the market at the end of 2025, while its SUV version will be built in Navarre and will have to undergo a transformation to adapt to these new small electric cars.

Source: Volkswagen

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SEAT is still alive

In the last few years, many thought that Seat was dead, but the Spanish brand managed to show that it is still alive and ready to give its best. The year 2023 was the best in the history of this manufacturer, and the first indicators show that the year 2024 could be more successful.

The year 2019 was really bad for Seat, and the beginning of the pandemic made it look like the manufacturer would not get away. At that time, Volkswagen decided not to pay so much attention to this manufacturer, which ultimately turned out to be a good move for Seat. From 33 million euros in 2022, the operating profit reached 625 million euros in the following year.

The beginning of 2024 shows that this year could also be successful, because the sales results in the first five months are above expectations. In the first five months, Seat delivered 121,169 new vehicles in Europe, which is a growth of 10.3 percent compared to last year when 109,827 vehicles were delivered. Also, according to the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Seat sold 4,385 cars in May, which is 21.1% more than in the same month of 2023. This is the best result in the VW group.

These results were supported by the fact that customers, due to the increase in the price of electric cars, are still buying ICE vehicles. Seat has five models in its fleet (Ibiza, Arona, Ateca, Leon and Tarraco), none of which are all-electric. The Ibiza, Arona and Ateca are the best-selling models, and only the Leon and Tarraco come with hybrid versions.

Current models with refreshed editions remain on the market for at least the next four years, but the question of electrification remains open.

Source: Seat

News

VW is developing a new EV that will cost up to 20,000 euros

Demand for electric cars is on the rise, but rising prices could affect demand in the near future, so manufacturers are scrambling to prepare in advance and offer cheaper options. VW has decided to launch a new EV at an affordable price of around 20,000 euros by 2027.

For now, there is no official information about the car, but the teaser reveals that it is a futuristic-looking hatchback, which will only be available to European customers. “Generations of people associate the strong brands of the Volkswagen Group with their first car, as well as with affordable mobility. As a group with strong brands, we continue this social responsibility. That is why I am very pleased that we will launch a future-oriented project. It is the entry of electric mobility from Europe for Europe,” said Oliver Blume, director of the Volkswagen Group.

It should be noted that Volkswagen has been thinking about offering compact and affordable electric vehicles for some time. “For electromobility to become widespread, attractive vehicles are needed, especially in the entry-level segment. Our brand promises that electromobility is for everyone. Despite the attractive price, our electric cars will set standards in the entry-level segment in terms of technology, design, quality and user experience,” said brand director Thomas Schäfer.

Volkswagen is currently developing several electric city cars, which will reach the market by the end of next year. All of them will be produced in Spain and will cost less than 25,000 euros.

Source: Volkswagen