ICE Versions Of Volkswagen Golf To Be Sold Side-By-Side With ID. Golf EV
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Volkswagen is jumping on the multi-energy bandwagon with plans to offer its next ninth-generation Mark IX Golf with both internal combustion and all-electric versions, according to Britain’s AutoCar. The plan is to sell identical models of the Golf, but with the choice of either powertrains, all to offer customers the choice, rather than forcing them into one specific propulsion type.
While we stopped getting the standard Golf stateside after VW discontinued the previous Mark VII from slow sales and SUV popularity, the Wolfsburg automaker continued selling the sportier and high-performance GTI and Golf R. And this new multi-energy approach has the potential to even effect those models we do get.
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Volkswagen Will Relocate ICE Golf Production Back To Puebla, Mexico
Currently, Volkswagen produces the current Mark VIII Golf solely in Wolfsburg, Germany, after relocating all of its assembly back to its home turf. This includes the Golf GTI and the Golf R. Previously, VW produced a several generations of the Golf at its iconic Puebla, Mexico location for North and South American-specific market cars.
However, given the recent changes with the political economy, such as the Trump Administration’s recent tariffs, VW may reportedly move Golf assembly back to Mexico entirely for the internal combustion engine models. This is apparently to help keep production costs from spiraling out of control.
For the all-electric ID. Golf on the other hand, VW plans to manufacture that model in Germany.
That said, there’s a possibility the next-gen Golf could return to the States with production being moved to Puebla. However, this is just simply speculation on our end, considering the proximity of Mexico to the United States, which would help reduce importation and federalization compliance costs.
Volkswagen still produces the global Jetta in Puebla.
The Golf Could Be Sold In ICE, Hybrid, PHEV, And EV Variants
Originally, VW had planned to discontinue any form of the ICE-powered Golf and replace it with the all-electric ID. Golf. But due to a lukewarm EV market, lingering concerns for charging and range anxiety, and continuously high costs of entry, Volkswagen, like many other automakers, shifted its product strategy back to featuring internal combustion power.
Speaking to press during Volkswagen Group’s annual product and investor conference, CEO Oliver Blume said full electrification is still the automaker’s ultimatum. But its lineup transition is still hugely dependent on the market in their respective global regions.
He also acknowledged Europe’s hard push to essentially ban the sales of ICE-powered vehicles by 2035. While he acknowledges and plans to honor that goal, he’s still hoping and planning for some flexibility.
Although specific details of the new next-gen Golf weren’t shared, VW execs did say its product planners and engineers are still hard at work, researching and developing the model.
The company also didn’t spare any specifics on how this new multi-energy approach will effect the Golf GTI and the Golf R. But they did suggest the all-electric ID. Golf could potentially get its own GTI and R versions. There was no word or indication if those potential electric GTI and R versions would replace the current internal combustion-powered models.
Source: AutoCarUK
