In an interview with the German publication Automobilwoche, Thomas Schaefer, CEO of Volkswagen, talked about the future of the company from Wolfsburg. The electrification of the model range has obviously been considered, a red thread as well, the end of thermal engines in Europe in 2035.

Volkswagen is focused on the release of its future electric cars, and to that end, according to Thomas Schaefer, Volkswagen has almost completed production of cars with internal combustion engines. At least in Europe.

What about the future of the Volkswagen Golf?

Volkswagen’s latest hot hatches are due to arrive in Europe in the next two to three years, with the new Tiguan and new Passat (which should only be available as a station wagon) starting production in a few months. In 2024, the manufacturer should release a new compact crossover for the Chinese market, and in 2025, a new generation of T-Roc will come to the fore.

According to Thomas Schaefer, these will be the last models with a new generation heat engine: “The T-Roc will be the last new model equipped with an internal combustion engine in Europe. Of course, other models will benefit from updates and restyling, but real new thermal vehicles or new generations of already existing models are not planned after the launch of the second generation T-Roc.”.

So, Therefore, the future Volkswagen Golf must be 100% electric. But before that, a serious restyling is planned for 2024, thanks to which the car will be at a decent technological level by the end of the decade. So far, the ninth generation with gasoline and diesel engines is not planned, but the managers do not rule it out completely: “If by 2026 or 2027, the world is not going to develop as expected, then we will be able to launch a completely new car. I don’t believe that. Currently not planned”– explains the head of Volkswagen.

A strategy that is gradually being implemented

In addition, Thomas Schaefer hinted that the end of the Polo is near, particularly due to the upcoming Euro 7 regulations. The development costs to meet these new standards will be too high for customers, as price increase for thermal city cars by 3,000-4,000 euros. So in 2025, the Polo could cost as much as the new Volkswagen ID.2, which will be launched by then.

A compact electric crossover will also be built near Wolfsburg and will appear in 2026. It may also be called ID. Tiguan. Indeed, Volkswagen intends to keep some of its iconic names, such as the Golf and Tiguan, because these designations have global resonance today and will be a marketing tool that will allow the manufacturer to sell even more electric cars.

The Volkswagen executive also said that an electric Golf on the MEB / MEB + platform is not planned and that it will only see the light of day on the future SSP platform, i.e. after 2028. Remember that the manufacturer intends to sell only electric cars in Europe from 2033two years before the famous ban recently adopted by the European Union.