Volkswagen Golf, Polo, Passat set to die in all-electric markets

Famous VW nameplates make way for ID models only in markets that only sell electric cars

Some of Volkswagen’s most iconic nameplates are set to disappear in markets that only allow sales of electric cars, Volkswagen’s boss of sales and marketing, Jurgen Stackmann, has revealed.

With the UK set to ban cars with internal combustion engines, possibly as early as 2030, Auto Express asked Stackmann if the Golf still had a future alongside Volkswagen’s all-electric ID. family? “Probably not,” was his reply.

Between now and then, Stackmann did confirm that he expected a ninth generation of Golf to be launched. “I am convinced that you will see Golf 9 coming,” he said “As Golf and probably with the boundaries that we have now introduced. 

“I think Golf will have a lot of interesting technologies until the boundary of full electric. The fully electric ID goes into the ID family and that decision is of a divide within the family. 

“So for full electric, we want to have optimised platforms doing just electric and they will be called ID. for the future.”

Currently Golf 8 models are expected to be made available with mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid electrification, while full electrification is reserved for Volkswagen’s forthcoming ID. models, starting with the Golf-sized ID.3 due later this year.

Although the Golf will cease to exist in markets that only permit the sale of fully-electric vehicles, there was hope for Golf in other places around the world. “Golf will remain as a strong effort of the brand in many places and I believe in Europe as well, but in many places outside Europe where they probably don’t have the capacity to go full electric so fast.” said Stackmann. “So I’m convinced that we will see a parallel run of Golf 9 and ID. next generation.”

“What technology Golf 9 will bring we will see. It will again be leading edge as we are now seeing with Golf 8 - whenever we come with next generation Golf it will be a mark for the rest of the industry to beat for the next five or six years to come.”

However, in a UK where you can only buy electric vehicles, Stackmann was asked whether you’d be able to buy a Golf? “Probably not,” he said. “Because you would probably be a very happy ID.3 owner and we’d be very happy as well.”

Since its launch in 1974, over 35 million Volkswagen Golfs have been bought, with the eighth generation car launching in the UK this year. In 2019 it was the UK’s second best-selling car with close to 59,000 models finding homes.

Do you think there should be an electric Golf? Let us know in the comments below...

Editor-in-chief

Steve Fowler has been editor-in-chief of Auto Express since 2011 and is responsible for all editorial content across the website and magazine. He has previously edited What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming in 2025 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2025 and beyond

From electric cars to supercars, this is our list of all the best new cars coming in 2025 and beyond
8 Dec 2023
Best used hatchbacks 2024
Best used hatchbacks - header image
Best cars & vans

Best used hatchbacks 2024

Hatchbacks offer great practicality, low running costs and comfort – these are the best used hatchbacks currently on the UK market
6 Dec 2023
Best home EV chargers 2023
Best home EV charger 2023 - header
Product group tests

Best home EV chargers 2023

We test the top ways to charge your electric or plug-in hybrid car at home
6 Dec 2023
Best electric car charging stations 2024: UK's top charger networks rated by EV owners
Best EV charging stations 2024
Features

Best electric car charging stations 2024: UK's top charger networks rated by EV owners

The bad, the good and the outstanding; you rank the major players in the expanding UK charging network
6 Dec 2023

Most Popular

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023
‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking
Road tests

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake may be 8 years old but it just got a whole lot cheaper!
7 Dec 2023