Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • German EV charging points, power sales to jump by 2030, research report says
      Ford Evos ext.jpg
      Ford damps speculation that China-market Evos will replace Mondeo, Fusion in Europe, U.S.
      Stellantis Bloomberg web_0.jpg
      U.S. indicts two Stellantis managers from Italy on emissions fraud charges
      NUteslaprotest.jpg
      Tesla disquiet in China mounts after driver protest in Shanghai
    • German EV charging points, power sales to jump by 2030, research report says
      Ford Evos ext.jpg
      Ford damps speculation that China-market Evos will replace Mondeo, Fusion in Europe, U.S.
      BMW headquarters
      BMW's Q1 earnings boosted by China demand, higher prices
      Polestar goes for gold with final run of debut model
    • The cockpit of the future: Science fiction or a road map to profit?
      Faurecia foresees robust Q2 growth on strong China demand
      8STELLANTIS-MAIN_i.jpg
      U.S. judge denies Stellantis supplier bid to compel chip supply for Jeep plant
      AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE PODCAST: April 15, 2021 | CLEPA exec explains why supplier bullishness is on the rise
    • Ford Evos ext.jpg
      Ford damps speculation that China-market Evos will replace Mondeo, Fusion in Europe, U.S.
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Nissan X-Trail (2021)
      Nissan delays Europe launch of X-Trail
      view gallery
      15 photos
      Mercedes EQB
    • Car exhasut Berlin.jpg
      German automakers react positively to weaker Euro 7 regulations
      Audi's plant in Gyor, Hungary, VW Group's biggest engine factory, built 1.6 million engines in 2020.
      VW brand will phase out combustion engines, CEO says
      The sales rollout of the ID4 is starting in Europe, the U.S. and China
      The UK's conflicting stance on EVs
      Valeo joins Bosch, GM, others in pledge for carbon neutrality
    • Europe sales surge 63% in March as market slowly recovers
      With Opel profitable again, CEO looks to international expansion
      Spain offers EV subsidies
      Stellantis brands dominated van sales in EU in 2020, figures show
    • Photo of Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos
      Alfa Romeo to get new design boss as brand heads for latest turnaround
      Song Chang-hyeon will lead Hyundai's new Transportation-as-a-Service division.
      Hyundai names chief for new mobility division
      VW Diess.jpg
      How Tesla's Musk tried and failed to tempt VW's Diess to run EV maker
      Volvo CFO Bjorn Annwall
      Volvo promotes Europe boss Annwall to finance chief
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Mobility
    • Segment Analysis
    • Latest Launches
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • Path out of chip shortage: New capacity, new thinking -- and patience
      Apple, Nio, other auto newcomers get creative to avoid Tesla's 'production hell'
      Photo illustration for cloud computing
      How Amazon, Google are transforming the auto industry
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
    • Opel CEO explains what's next for the brand after 'challenging' 2020
      Ford of Europe plans more changes to reposition business for EV-focused future
      Renault CEO bets on 'winning horses' for turnaround
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
    • German EV charging points, power sales to jump by 2030, research report says
      Why Polestar's CEO is baffled by current state of the EV sector
      bcg.jpg
      EVs to account for more than half of light vehicles sold globally by 2026, BCG projects
      Genesis G80.jpg
      Genesis says first EV will have sporty acceleration and a generous range
    • Volvo XC90 with DiDi autonomous test car
      Volvo will provide cars for Didi's self-driving test fleet
      BlueCruise-MAIN_i.jpg
      Ford answers Tesla's Autopilot with 'BlueCruise' hands-free system
      How a U.S. tech firm aims to save 1 million lives
      WeRide robotaxi fleet in China
      Nissan-backed startup to test driverless vehicles
    • Smart EQ ForTwo electric being charged
      Minicars race toward electric future
      EVs make huge gains helped by incentives, tougher CO2 rules
      EVs, surging SUVs to hit Europe's biggest segment
      Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
    • Mercedes EQS to offer hands-off self-driving tech
      Ferrari shunned electrification until it launched the SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid in 2019.
      Ferrari brings forward launch of first EV
      Mercedes EQS camouflaged
      Mercedes enters new era with flagship sedan going electric
      The Audi Q4 e-tron quattro has a prominent grille, big wheels and defined wheel arches. Shown is the Audi Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron quattro.
      Audi attacks EV mass market with Q4 e-tron
    • The cockpit of the future: Science fiction or a road map to profit?
      Vitesco's optimism about EV shift grows as spinoff nears completion
      How GKN is transforming to gain from e-powertrain shift
      Marelli CEO expects e-powertrains to provide long-term boost
    • Europe sales by model, February: Tesla, Ferrari, Lotus, Aston Martin rise despite down market
      Top 10 sellers by market, 2 months: Skoda Octavia makes the cut in 18 out of 27 countries
      Nissan Qashqai
      Turkey sales, February: Nissan, Fiat, Skoda report strong gains
      Russia sales, February: Market bounces back with small increase
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Why Polestar's CEO is baffled by current state of the EV sector
      For the EQS, Mercedes likes what it sees in the mirror
      Sales of the New 500 have been slow since the vehicle's launch last year.  The three-door New 500 hatchback is shown.
      Fiat's New 500 is zippy, agile but pricey
      How a U.S. tech firm aims to save 1 million lives
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • 01-mb-eqs-front-full-moving.jpg
      view gallery
      16 photos
      Mercedes EQS
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Rimac's Croatian campus
      mercedes_eqs_int_6.jpg
      view gallery
      12 photos
      Mercedes EQS Interior
      Green Peugeot 308 1.jpg
      view gallery
      17 photos
      Peugeot 308
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
    • view gallery
      7 photos
      Nissan X-Trail (2021)
      view gallery
      15 photos
      Mercedes EQB
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota bZ4X Concept
       audi_a6_e-tron_13.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Audi A6 e-tron concept
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Cloud: A springboard for future competitiveness
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
June 03, 2014 01:00 AM

VW may offer six SUVs to help pass Toyota, report says

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    VW may offer a subcompact SUV based on the T-Roc concept, unveiled at this year's Geneva auto show.

    FRANKFURT (Bloomberg) -- Volkswagen Group is considering tripling its VW core brand's SUV lineup as it seeks to overtake Toyota in global sales, two people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

    The VW marque will offer as many as six SUVs in the coming years, expanding from the large Touareg and compact Tiguan currently on sale, said the people, who asked not to be identified in advance of an official announcement.

    Demand for SUVs is growing, with the models likely to account for 20 percent of global production by 2018 compared with 18 percent in 2012, according to consulting company PwC.

    The VW nameplate's focus on traditional cars, such as the Golf hatchback and Passat sedan, has in particular held back the brand in the United States, where rivals have wider SUV offerings.

    "The SUV segment is still growing globally, and it's a key segment for all manufacturers," Roman Mathyssek, an analyst for Strategy Engineers consulting company, said. "The VW brand still has growth potential in SUVs, which could especially help them to build a stronger position in the U.S. and in emerging markets."

    The Tiguan will be updated as a lighter vehicle in 2015 to help lower fuel consumption, and VW is also developing a coupe version and longer variant of the model, the people said.

    VW may also offer a subcompact crossover, which has characteristics of an SUV and traditional car, choosing between the boxier Taigun and coupe-like T-Roc prototypes displayed at recent auto shows, the people said.

    Incentives

    In addition, VW plans to build a mid-sized SUV based on the CrossBlue concept that is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in 2016.

    VW has yet to choose the model's production site pending a cost review that includes potential incentives from governments in Mexico and Tennessee, one person said. Rounding out VW's offerings in the segment is the Touareg, the brand's first and largest SUV.

    Officials at Volkswagen, the world's second-largest automaker, declined to comment on the manufacturer's SUV plans. VW has a target of beating Toyota in annual deliveries by 2018.

    The new models would let VW challenge more of the Japanese manufacturer's seven-model SUV lineup that ranges from the RAV4 to the Land Cruiser. General Motors Co., which VW passed in global sales last year, offers 14 SUVs, from the Buick Encore to the GMC Yukon XL Denali.

    The figures don't include SUV offerings from Toyota's upscale Lexus brand or GM's premium Cadillac.

    "Japanese manufacturers were very early to realize the potential of on-road SUVs and developed differentiated products to complement their passenger-car offerings before most European peers," said Christoph Stuermer, lead analyst for PwC's Autofacts forecasting service. "A growing number of planned coupe-style variants will add to the dynamic of the trend toward SUVs and crossovers."

    Porsche Macan

    The moves mirror a broader push into SUVs underway at VW Group's premium brands. Porsche began delivering the Macan compact SUV in Germany in April. The model and the larger Cayenne are likely to bring SUV deliveries to 64 percent of Porsche's total sales by next year, with its traditional sports cars such as the 911 accounting for 24 percent, according to consulting company IHS Automotive.

    Audi offers three SUVs and will introduce a fourth, the subcompact Q1, in 2016. Volkswagen's high-end brand Bentley plans to bring out the world's most expensive SUV that year. VW's Lamborghini supercar unit is considering introducing an SUV in 2017.

    SUVs typically are more profitable than cars. The models being considered would be targeted at helping the VW brand approach a goal for operating profit to exceed 6 percent of sales, compared with a margin of 2.9 percent earned last year.

    CFO Hans Dieter Poetsch said at the annual shareholders meeting last month that earnings at the VW brand should improve over the course of 2014, after the cost of rolling out modular manufacturing technology weighed on earnings in recent quarters.

    The production process is designed to enable VW to develop and build new models and variants at a lower cost by sharing larger sets of components.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    Related Articles
    VW works councils rep vows continued support for UAW in Chattanooga
    VW's key crossover for U.S. delayed by incentive tug-of-war, report says
    Recommended for You
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    2020 Eurostar winner Frank Bekemeier
    2020 Eurostar winner Jürgen Weissinger
    2020 Eurostar winner Jürgen Weissinger
    2020 Eurostar winner Nicolas Racquet
    2020 Eurostar winner Nicolas Racquet
    Cloud: A springboard for future competitiveness
    Sponsored Content: Cloud: A springboard for future competitiveness
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Mobility
      • Segment Analysis
      • Latest Launches
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Cloud: A springboard for future competitiveness
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us