Golf (VW)

On April 12, VW announced the start of production of the eighth generation of the Golf at its Wolfsburg plant.

One of the main changes of this generation of Golf is the introduction of the new plug-in hybrid options with an electric range exceeding 100 km and a combined range of about 1,000 km. These additions complement existing TSI, TDI, and eTSI mild hybrid drives, with the plug-in hybrids also featuring a DC quick-charging function.

The Golf is the most produced model at the plant, with over 20 million units. The Beetle is the second model with almost 12 million units and Tiguan on third place, with just under 3.5 million units produced.

(VW press release on April 12, 2024)

On March 13, Volkswagen Group announced its 2024 outlook. It prioritizes electromobility and digitalization while focusing on new vehicle launches, reducing costs, leveraging synergies within the Group, and strengthening regional positioning, notably in North America.

Strategic investment planning aims to enhance competitiveness, expand in attractive growth markets, and strengthen the product portfolio. Investments for 2025-2029 are capped at EUR 170 billion, mainly directed towards new products, regional growth, battery business, and hybridized combustion engines.

The launch of the all-electric premium platform PPE underscores Volkswagen's commitment to performance, flexibility, and scalability. The portfolio receives a significant upgrade in 2024, featuring popular models like Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Octavia, and Superb, often incorporating modern hybrid technology. New all-electric models include Porsche Macan Electric, Audi Q6 e-tron, VW ID.7, ID.7 Tourer, CUPRA Tavascan, and VW ID. Buzz, enriching the Group's offerings.

Over 30 new product launches are planned in 2024, facilitated by robust platforms and supported by strong operating business. The Group plans further investments in battery activities and regional strengthening. While the software division, CARIAD records an operating loss due to advance payments for future software architectures, it focuses on launching significant products like the Porsche Macan Electric and Audi Q6 e-tron.

Volkswagen Group's sustainability strategy drives one of the most ambitious e-offensives across all vehicle segments, aiming for balance sheet carbon neutrality at all production sites worldwide by 2040.

Based on Volkswagen press release

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on March 5, UK passenger car sales increased 14% to 84,886 units in February 2024.

Year-to-date sales increased 10.3% with 227,762 cars registered in the first 2 months of 2024.

February sales for VW increased 13.3% to 7,724 units (9.1% market share), BMW sales increased 65.5% to 5,911 units (7.0% share) while Ford sales decreased 14.7% to 5,845 units (6.9% share). Audi sales increased 11.8% to 5,176 units (6.1% share), Vauxhall sales decreased 13.2% to 4,784 units (5.6% share).

The best-selling cars in February 2024 were Ford Puma (2,535 units), VW Golf (2,203 units), VW T-Roc (1,986 units), Kia Sportage (1,948 units) and Audi A3 (1,835 units).

Compared to last February, gasoline-engine car sales increased 13.3% to 48,001 units (56.6% share), EV increased 21.8% to 14,991 units (17.7% share), HEV increased 12.1% to 10,801 units (12.7% share), PHEV increased 29.1% to 6,098 units (7.2% share), and diesel-engine car sales decreased 7.4% to 4,995 units (5.9% share).

In February , private car sales decreased 2.6% to 28,630 units (33.7% share), fleet sales increased 25.2% to 54,740 units (64.5% share), and businesses sales increased 15.5% to 1,516 units (1.8% share).

In February, the UK new car market has recorded its best February performance for two decades as registrations. It was the 19th month of consecutive growth. Fleets and businesses were responsible for the entirety of February’s increase. 

Sales of all vans to 3.5 tons increased 2.2% to 17,934 units, sales of trucks between 3.5 and 6.0 tons increased 53.4% to 523 units while sales of taxis increased 31% to 55 units in February.

(SMMT press releases from March 05, 2024) 1 / 2