After availability disrupted the compact market with the GolfVW was reissued the following year in the city car category. Polo was released in 1975. This, in turn, makes a car characterized by well-known German quality available to as many people as possible. For almost 50 years, 6 generations have succeeded each other. For undeniable success. Almost 50 years, but never 50 years. Because the ax has officially fallen: Production of the Polo 6 will end in the second half of 2024. A few months before that, the model can celebrate its half-century of existence. Not here, by any means, as Polos will continue to be built and sold in South Africa.

Electrification and Euro 7

We know the explanation of what we want to call hecatomb among affordable cars especially found in electrification. Europe decided to lead us forward forced march is 100% electric. The development of these cars is very expensive for manufacturers. It is extremely important for them to make a choice, and the models that offer the lowest rate of return are systematically the first to fall. But electrification isn’t really the first culprit. The real culprit is the Euro7 standard, which is expected to enter into force in July 2025. It will introduce even stricter emissions standards. Again assuming a large investment on the part of the manufacturers to adapt the engines. As a result, small cars just won’t pay off any more completely.

And that’s not all…

Added to this entry into force, this time in 2026, of new safety standards. Which would require a complete overhaul of the front end of the cars. It starts to do a lot. Nevertheless, let’s briefly note that standards have long been contested by manufacturers and are increasingly contested. First, because the final decision took a long time. Which leaves too little time for engineers to adapt. Then because their actual ecological contribution would be negligible. Therefore, we are beginning to imagine a “2035-style” scenario in which Europe withdraws from Euro7. In this case, Polo would be “dead for nothing”.

Replacement

If VW leaves the category of affordable city cars, the brand still has projects to take the field. But in a different way. The replacement of the Polo will actually be electric city car, including the ID.2all concept gave us a taste a few weeks ago. The exterior is actually very similar to the current Polo. The serial version of the car could also be called ID.Polo.

It will enter the market in 2025. VW is already promising a base price of less than €25,000. she will be produced at the SEAT plant in Martorella, near Barcelona. Good news for the site, but bad for VW’s Pamplona plant. Polo is currently in operation, along with T-Cross and Taigo. For this manufacturing company, this amounts to a “deficit” of about 100,000 cars per year, so the unions did not forget to express their concern. We understand them…