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Hybrid Volkswagens not here for a while yet

Friday, 26 March 2021

Volkswagen’s local distributor, European Motor Distributors (EMD), has confirmed that hybrid versions of the popular Golf and Tiguan models won’t be here for another few years at least.

Speaking at the launch of the eighth-generation Golf and facelifted Tiguan, Volkswagen product manager Jordan Haines said that while discussions with VW headquarters are ongoing, supplies of plug-in and mild hybrid Golfs and Tiguans are being prioritised for larger markets like Europe.

This is partly due to the current semiconductor chip shortage but also the fact that New Zealand is a small market that is easily pushed down the priorities list.

The eighth generation of Golf has just launched but we won’t be getting electrified versions for at least another two years.
The eighth generation of Golf has just launched but we won’t be getting electrified versions for at least another two years.

Haines said that the new Clean Car Standard helps give us a foothold, particularly as the company is looking to separate New Zealand from Australia in its import process.

**READ MORE:

Don’t expect the electric ID.4 SUV to land here until 2023 either.
Don’t expect the electric ID.4 SUV to land here until 2023 either.

* VW gives the auto industry's old guard hope

* Hyundai reveals all-new Ioniq 5 SUV

* Volkswagen confirms plug-in hybrid Golf, Tiguan and T-Roc coming

* Honda Europe to electrify everything by 2023

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EMD is supportive of the standard and with the all-electric ID range as well as the electrified Golfs and Tiguans waiting in the wings, Volkswagen will be positioned well for the changes set for 2023.

That’s proving to be an important date as VW is aiming to have the ID.4 SUV here by then, as well as the aforementioned hybrids.

As for the ID.3, don’t hold out hope. Hatchbacks simply don’t sell well here, stalwarts like the Golf shift mainly based on the brand power.

Around 10,000 Kiwis own a Golf, according to VW’s internal database, while the brand expects to sell 750 new units by the end of 2021. Once upon a time, 1000 Golfs per year left dealerships but that was before Covid. Compare that to an expected 1100 Tiguans for 2021, depending on supply.