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Volkswagen Group Reportedly Planning To Phase Out Over 40 Models By 2025

Volkswagen wants to become a world leader in green transport solutions by 2025. We already were aware of their intentions on this, as the corporation said it wanted to build and sell numerous electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Volkswagen Group brands on a board 1 photo
Photo: Wikipedia user Peter0221
However, a report has recently emerged and claims the Volkswagen Group will not introduce the new plug-in hybrid cars and electric models out of the blue (pun indented), but will remove some of its conventional vehicles while launching the Eco-friendly alternatives.

According to Automotive News, German business newspaper Handelsblatt reported that over 40 models will be eliminated from the Volkswagen Group portfolio.

While removing 40 cars from a single brand would be a lot, remember we are talking about Europe's biggest automaker, and that the Volkswagen Group is composed out of many brands.

If we look at the VW Group, we can observe that the corporation owns eight car brands. Among them, the 40 automobiles that are supposed to be eliminated over the years and not get a direct replacement do not seem like such a big number.

At this point, we must consider the fact that Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Porsche are amongst the eight car brands owned by the Volkswagen Group, so these automakers will not have as many models to cut from their ranges.

Which means that Seat, Skoda, Audi, and the main Volkswagen brand will do most of the cutting, if not all. The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle division might also ditch some of its models, if needed.

At this point, we must note that the Volkswagen Group currently makes around 340 models across its portfolio, so the room to cut 40 variations is present. The reason for ditching around 40 models would be linked both to the Dieselgate scandal, and to its new Eco-friendly plans. However, no official voice from Volkswagen has confirmed the figure presented by the German newspaper.

Instead, a Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed to Automotive News that the Group plans to discontinue some models, but a number has not been decided yet. The corporation must also decide whether to phase out some cars and cease making others, depending on sales expectations and costs.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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