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Volkswagen Will Offer Hybrid Versions of All Future Models; Considers All-Electric Option
23 September 2007
Automobilwoche. Volkswagen plans to offer full- or mild-hybrid versions of all its new models, according to Ulrich Hackenberg, head of product development at VW.
Mercedes-Benz has also committed to hybrids across its future model range.
Hackenberg said that the rear-engined up! city car concept introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show (earlier post) could offer both a full- and mild-hybrid option when it launches in 2011. VW is also considering an all-electric drive version.
Hackenberg also said that VW would add more BlueMotion models to its portfolio. Furthermore, technology currently only available to BlueMotion versions will be implemented across the entire fleet to reduce overall fuel consumption.
In a separate interview with auto motor und sport, VW marketing head Michael Kern said that the company wants to overtake Toyota in terms of sales and profit margins. The automaker plans to launch 12 new models in the next three years, and increase its presence in the US, Russia and India.
According to Kern, VW wants to sell more than 6 million vehicles in the current year. VW sales are growing strongly in Brazil and China.
September 23, 2007 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: realarms | September 23, 2007 at 04:33 PM
I remember hearing Toyota say this before.
Until they said they weren't going to follow through with it.
Posted by: GreyFlcn | September 23, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Well, learning from the spectacular sale success of the Prius, a hybrid-only design from the start, in comparison to other spun-off hybrid from established non-hybrid models which weren't selling well at all, would it make more market sense to start offering models optimized for a hybrid drive train from the blueprint stage?
This will confer a distinct "eco-status symbol" to the owner, well worthy of the extra price premium, similar to someone upgrading from a Chevrolet to a Cadillac, or from a Toyota to a Lexus, or from a Honda to a Accura, or from a Ford to a Lincoln, or from a Volkswagen to a Porche...
This may be the reason that Toyota decided to establish a distinct Prius brand or make with many pure hybrid models to choose from, as opposed to Scion or Lexus, instead of offering a hybrid option for every Toyota, Scion, or Lexus model.
Posted by: Roger Pham | September 23, 2007 at 09:19 PM
EUROPEAN CARS IN INDIA SPECIALLY THE DIESEL VERSIONS COST THREE TIMES THE KOREANS, INDIAN OR THE JAPANESE VERSIONS. THE QUALITY DIFFERENCE IS VERY NARROW HENCE THEY CAN NEVER OVERTAKE TOYOTO IN NEAR FUTURE.
Posted by: NIRMALSINH WALA | September 23, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Very ambitious, but who knows what they're planning? Offer a hybrid for everything? Nothing wrong with that.
Posted by: Elliot | September 23, 2007 at 11:42 PM
All VWs with a hybrid option? Is this just about the biggest automotive turnaround in recent years?
Their chief engineer was very recently quoted as saying that hybrid technology just doesn't reduce fuel consumption and "is a r ape of the laws of physics"!
Posted by: clett | September 24, 2007 at 01:32 AM
VW cost always 3-5.000Eur more then others
why do we buy them, because its a VW
a Toyota is not a VW, its only Toyota ...
if VW reduces the price for theirs cars for only 1500 Eur, no one would buy Fiat, Peugeot, Renault, Koreans ... anymore
its a Image thing, if you have a german car
and if it is a VW, BMW or Mercedes then you have a higher status (at least in europe) ...
Posted by: itsme | September 24, 2007 at 03:56 AM
Ironic.
Posted by: jack | September 24, 2007 at 10:25 AM
1 000 000+ Toyota hybrids sold is generating dreams and 10 millions Toyota/year is doing even more.
Do doubt that VW can produce hybrids and PHEVs in the near future.
More competition is healthy for the consumers.
Posted by: Harvey D | September 24, 2007 at 11:37 AM
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I wonder how VW wants to overtake Toyota in both revenue and units sold (this info is from a different news source). WIth the emerging markets, it's quite likely that the number of units sold by VW will increase (also when their plans to cut retail prices come true) but I wonder why they assume that Toyota won't grow beyond their current 10 M-units/year rate. Besides, the other news article also mentioned, that it takes toyota about 50-75% of the time to build a singe unit (car) than it takes VW...
Anyway, delivering Micro-, Mini- and Mild Hybrids to the mass market will definitely have a major impact (more than making a few "show off" full hybrids) on GHG emissions in the future (once a significant portion of the fleet has been replaced).