2025 will be a quiet year for Volkswagen in terms of new electric vehicles (EVs).
Despite its investment in electrification, the German automaker has no new EV launches planned.
Instead, Volkswagen will rely on selling its existing models, like the ID.7 sedan, which debuted in late 2023.
German auto industry analyst Matthias Schmidt told Bloomberg that this pause in new launches poses a significant challenge for Volkswagen: "Over the next year or so, Volkswagen will be forced to sell old technology to new customers. It will be difficult."
Volkswagen is also facing headwinds in several of its key markets.
In Europe, reduced government subsidies in countries like Germany have dampened demand for electric vehicles.
Challenges in China
Meanwhile, in China, a critical market for Volkswagen’s long-term EV strategy, the automaker is losing ground to local competitors offering cheaper and more dynamic options. Even premium models such as the Audi Q8 e-tron and Porsche Taycan have struggled to gain traction in China’s rapidly evolving market.
To address its challenges in China, Volkswagen has partnered with Xpeng to develop a new electrical and electronic architecture that will serve as the foundation for its EV lineup in the country. The first models from this collaboration, including a mid-range SUV, are expected to debut in 2026.
Volkswagen aims to increase its annual sales in China from 2.93 million vehicles in 2022 to 4 million by 2030.
Future Models
Despite the lack of new EV launches in 2025, Volkswagen emphasizes the importance of maintaining a diverse range of offerings in its portfolio.
"Introducing new models is one solution. But it is equally important to maintain the breadth of our model programs," said Volkswagen spokesperson Stefan Voswinkel.
In the United States, Volkswagen is preparing for the introduction of the Scout Terra and Traveler, electric SUVs and pickup trucks designed to appeal to American buyers. These vehicles will be sold directly to customers, bypassing traditional dealerships, though production won’t begin until 2027.
In Europe, Volkswagen’s next big release will be the ID.2, a compact electric vehicle expected to hit the market in 2026.
