A modern and elegant electric Volkswagen (VWAGY) The sedan won't be hitting U.S. shores anytime soon as demand for electric vehicles in the United States declines in favor of gas-electric hybrid technology.
Related: Younger buyers willing to sacrifice privacy for cheap, modern Chinese cars
volkswagen
according to a Volkswagen advertisement on May 22The German automobile giant is indefinitely delaying the launch in the United States and Canada of one of its most anticipated models: the electric ID.7, without offering a deadline for its arrival on the continent.
Volkswagen's ID.7, a model that has been on sale in Europe since 2023, is set to replace the Passat and Arteon midsize sedans. In its brief statement, Volkswagen alludes to “current market conditions” as the reason for the delay.
“Volkswagen is committed to making market-driven decisions while listening to our customers,” the statement read. “As market dynamics continue to change, Volkswagen is delaying the introduction of the ID.7 sedan in the United States and Canada.”
Although VW is delaying the launch of its midsize electric sedan in the United States, the automaker mentioned that it is prepared to launch the Microbus-inspired ID.Buzz in the fourth quarter of 2024 and stated that it is still “committed to mobility electric,” pointing to recent improvements to its Tennessee-built ID.4 crossover SUV due in 2024.
VW's gateway to hybrids:
MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images/Getty Images
News of the ID.7's indefinite delay comes as Volkswagen attempts to respond to changing market demands in the United States.
in a recent interview with Automotive NewsPablo Di Si, CEO of the VW Group of America, said recent conversations with dealers showed there were positive reactions to plug-in hybrids, as well as a pushback against electric vehicles from consumers.
“The sentiment is ICE, plug-in hybrids are picking up,” Di Si said. “There is some concern, some consumer opposition to electric vehicles, particularly in the charging infrastructure. Nothing that alters the long-term vision, I would say. “This transition of having more infrastructure and more renewable energy will be key for more people to convert to electric vehicles because the range of vehicles improves every day.”
Di Si did not specifically reveal which models will be arriving soon, but confirmed that the brand is working to bring hybrid vehicles to its US dealerships.
“Merchants are asking for it. Consumers are asking for it,” he told Auto News. “We have very good news internally, in terms of our product portfolio. I won't discuss it today. But we have good news that I would like to share first with the team and then with the distributors.”
More automotive:
- Maserati executive defends use of car feature drivers hate
- Feds skeptical about safety of popular driver-assist tech
- Young People Who Like Loud Cars Are Probably Psychopaths, Study Suggests
Related: Americans are postponing buying a new vehicle at historic rates
Although Volkswagen does not sell plug-in cars or series hybrids in the United States, it does in other markets, including its home continent; a critical fact that can save the automaker billions in development costs.
In his interview with AutoNews, Di Si noted that Volkswagen recently launched a plug-in hybrid version of the popular Tiguan crossover SUV in Europe and can easily use such technology in any model it wants to sell as a hybrid in the United States.
“We are moving forward. Fast,” Di Si said. “We don't need to start from scratch. We have an incredible product in Germany, in Europe, with a Tiguan plug-in hybrid. We launched it three or four weeks ago. It has 100 kilometers of electric range on the European highway cycle.”
“But it's good technology, a very nice car. It will just transfer that kind of technology to us.”
Volkswagen, which is listed on OTC markets such as (VWAGY ) It is selling for $15.04 per share, up 1.93% at the time of writing.
Related: A veteran fund manager picks his favorite stocks for 2024
