VW Wants to Be Top EV, Hybrid Brand by 2018
Volkswagen doesn’t want to just be the world’s largest automaker, it is also wants to become the largest electric vehicle and hybrid automaker in the world by 2018.
According to the German automaker’s CEO, Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen and its subsidiaries including Audi and Porsche, will offer a total of 14 electric and hybrid models by next year. Of course how quickly Volkswagen expands on that lineup with more production models will be dependent on how quickly the consumers embrace the technology and how many units it manages to sell.
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But if public demand does pick up, the Volkswagen Group promises to offer up to 40 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2018.
Recently, automakers such as GM and Tesla each announced plans for a 200-mile range electric vehicle that would be sold around the $30,000 price range. While Volkswagen hasn’t admitted as much, any automaker that is investing into EV technology is probably aiming for the same market.
“It is our customers who decide for themselves just how much e-mobility they want,” explained Winterkorn. “The electric vehicle cannot be a compromise on wheels, it must convince customers in every respect.”
[Source: Leftlane News]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Since when did VW behave like the big three Detroit losers(GM, Ford and Chrysler) have been routinely making false claims? Just a couple years ago, VW claimed to be No.1 automaker in 2018, but this year it admited the mission is impossible. Toyota has been the king of Hybrid for more than a decade, while current VW hybrid hasn't gotten close to the game yet. Very likely, in 2018, VW will not only be the top EV and Hybrid sellers, but also Toyota will begin to sell Hydrogen-powered cars. VW looks more like Detroit-type of loser than a real challenger.