Volkswagen to Launch Two Hybrids in North America in Coming Years
Volkswagen currently has two electric vehicles in its North American portfolio—the ID.4 crossover that’s been the target of numerous recalls and the ID. Buzz minivan that sells for a high price—but no hybrid model, which doesn't help. However, things are about to change, maybe not now but definitely later this decade.
Car and Driver is reporting that the German automaker plans to launch two hybrid vehicles in the U.S. and Canada over the next few years. These will be conventional hybrids rather than plug-in hybrids.
- Also: 2023 Volkswagen Jetta: A Comfortable Sedan With Hybrid-Like Efficiency
- Also: Volkswagen Wants a Plug-in Hybrid in North America
The news was confirmed by Volkswagen of America President and CEO Kjell Gruner during a media roundtable at the New York Auto Show.
"We believe for this market, with the consumers here, that full hybrids are the right solution," he said before arguing that plug-in hybrid tech “adds a lot of weight and also a lot of material cost."
All signs point to the Tiguan and Atlas being the two vehicles to get the hybrid treatment as Volkswagen wants to focus on volume models. That being said, Gruner suggested that they won’t come over from Europe and will instead be manufactured on our shores.
Remember, the Atlas is assembled in Tennessee, but our Tiguan rolls out of a factory in Mexico (like the Taos and Jetta). Barring any changes, the latter would be affected by the new 25-percent U.S. tariffs. Nevertheless, it's probably the one we'll see first since the new generation has just debuted. In the case of the Atlas, a hybrid variant would likely arrive after the model’s redesign in about two or three years' time.
The last hybrid sold by Volkswagen in Canada was the 2016 Jetta Turbo Hybrid.
