Volkswagen Jetta CKD 14

A report has emerged that Volkswagen is considering cutting 40 models from the lineup across its various car brands by 2025. German online daily Handelsblatt, quoted in a Reuters report, said that VW is planning to implement a new strategy that will see those vehicles replaced with electric cars, and developments in ride-hailing and automated driving.

Reportedly calling for an investment amounting to billions of euros, VW will see its conventionally powered vehicles, notably the diesel engines which have caused it much anguish over the past year, replaced over the next decade with hybrids and full-electric vehicles. According to an unnamed company spokesperson, “a decision on how many models will be phased out or ceased has not been taken yet.”

Wolfsburg has mulled such a move before – last year, Bloomberg reported that the group found it could save up to €1.5 billion (RM6.9 billion) simply by cutting the number of variants and trim options offered by the Volkswagen brand alone. Now, it appears it will expand the initiative to its other brands as well.

The VW Group currently produces around 340 models and variants across its portfolio, which apart from the main Volkswagen brand also includes Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti.

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