Volkswagen is stepping up the pace when switching to electromobility and intends to only build purely battery-powered cars in Europe “by 2033 at the latest”.
Brand boss Thomas Schäfer preferred the previous goal.
Just a few months ago, the Wolfsburg-based company had planned to gradually exit the combustion vehicle business in its home market between 2033 and 2035.
In the United States and China, this will happen a little later.
Schäfer also announced a reorganization of production at an event in Berlin on Wednesday.
While the focus has so far been on individual models, the factories are to be organized more strongly according to cross-brand vehicle platforms from now on.
At the same time, Schäfer is making a new attempt to reduce the cost-driving variety of models.
"Do less, do it right," said Schäfer.
VW wants to focus more on profitable vehicles.
The main brand should go ahead in order to increase the profitability of the volume group of VW cars, Skoda, Seat/Cupra and VW vans, which Schäfer has been managing in personal union since the summer.
The medium-term goal is a return of eight percent.
The brand with the VW logo is aiming for an operating margin of six percent by 2023.
Schäfer also announced ten new electric models by 2026.
“From the entry-level e-car with a target price of less than 25,000 euros to the ID.
Buzz to the new flagship ID.Aero, we will have the right offer in every segment,” he said according to his speech manuscript.
The ID.3, which has been on the market for some time, will soon also be available as an SUV.
"In the future we will concentrate on our core models and will noticeably simplify our model range and packaging over the next ten years," said Schäfer, who took over the management of the VW Passenger Cars brand at the beginning of July.