Volkswagen Golf to be dropped in the US – report
North American arm looking to drop core range due to slow sales, with the GTI and R to carry on.
Volkswagen USA looks set to drop standard versions of the Golf hatchback when the eighth-generation model goes into production, according to a new report out of North America.
Motor 1 says it has "learned some eye-opening news" from a "high-ranking Volkswagen employee", who reportedly told the publication non-performance versions of the compact hatch and wagon won't be available in the next generation, with only the GTI and R hot hatch variants to soldier on.
Volkswagen's North American division apparently declined to offer further comment.
According to the Motor 1 report, some 48% of Golf sales in the US in 2018 were GTI and R models, with the GTI outselling the core range by a rate of nearly three to one. Just 6642 regular Golf models were sold in 2018, which accounts for less than 2% of Volkswagen's overall sales in the region.
The current e-Golf won't be renewed in Mk8 guise, either, meaning the US will have to make do with the new ID. Neo hatchback due to be revealed at this year's Paris motor show, while a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the Golf Alltrack crossover wagon.
It's believed the Golf 'SportWagen' won't be returning Stateside in the next generation, either, so the Alltrack's future "looks dim", according to the report.
Australia
While the US looks set to miss out on standard versions of Volkswagen's iconic hatchback, the company's Australian arm has already indicated it's expecting a full line-up from the third quarter of 2020.
The Mk8 Golf line-up should include the core range and GTI hot hatch from launch, with the full-fat R expected to join soon after.
Conflicting reports have speculated when we'll actually see the new-gen Golf revealed, with some indicating an October debut before a sales launch very late this year or early next in Europe.
However, recent coverage said software bugs for the new infotainment system's online functions have delayed the new Golf's launch until February 2020. We'll just have to wait and see.
Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest.
MORE: 2020 Volkswagen Golf production to start this year
MORE: Volkswagen Golf Mk8 launch delayed until February 2020
MORE: Volkswagen Golf news, reviews, comparisons and videos
MORE: Everything Volkswagen
0
