Yahoo News VW Targets Plug-in-Hybrid Models to Offset EV Struggles in the U.S.
Volkswagen's CFO Arno Antlitz said the company plans to bring plug-in-hybrid models to the United States, as reported by Reuters.
The executive reportedly said VW aims to "double" its U.S. market share by 2030, and it's currently working on new projects.
To help offset struggling EV sales, VW thinks PHEVs could help growth; SUVs such as the redesigned Tiguan and larger Atlas are prime hybrid candidates.
Right now, if you walk into any Volkswagen dealer in the United States, you'll find gas-only or EV models but no hybrids. The German automaker wants that to change, as its CFO Arno Antlitz said VW plans to bring plug-in hybrids to America, according to a report by Reuters.
Antlitz reportedly made those comments yesterday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. They were part of the company's larger plan to "double" its U.S. market share by 2030. Reuters reports that VW currently owns 4 percent of the American market, so it's aiming for around 8 percent. Meanwhile, VW has faced myriad financial struggles this past year, including a cost-cutting initiative that nearly led to factory closures in Germany and consequently a spat with European union workers that has since been resolved.
On top of that, while many automakers are experiencing volatile EV sales, Volkswagen has been hit especially hard, with its ID.4 electric SUV only recently resuming production after a months-long stop-sale order due to faulty door handles. In an attempt to offset the lack of customer interest in its EVs, VW thinks PHEVs could help bridge the gap and grow sales. While Antlitz didn't go into detail on what plug-in models might reach our shores, we can make a few educated guesses.
The redesigned 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan has now been revealed, but while there have been hints about the plug-in-hybrid version eventually reaching our shores, no details have been confirmed. Still, the Tiguan is VW's bestselling U.S. model, so it's a prime candidate to see the PHEV variant come here. Of course, it remains to be seen how President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on goods imported into our country might affect that possibility.
The larger VW Atlas is built at the company's factory in Chatanooga, Tennessee, and it could also be a candidate for a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. VW CEO Thomas Schäfer last November said the company plans to sell a hybrid version of the mid-size Atlas as well as the Tiguan in North America, per a story by Edmunds, though it wasn't clear if he was referring to a traditional hybrid or a plug-in hybrid.
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