Ford Rival VW Solidifies Plans To Sell Hybrids In U.S.

With global demand for all-electric vehicles falling a bit behind expected levels of growth, most automakers have pivoted to hybrids as their main focus, as well as a bridge of sorts to total electrification. Ford is among that group, with plans to offer a hybrid powertrain option across its entire ICE-focused Blue lineup by 2030, including the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator – and even some extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants as well. Now, Ford’s rival (and partner) Volkswagen is following suit.

VW Group of America CEO Kjell Gruner has announced that the automaker will launch a series of hybrids in the U.S. in the coming years, according to Automotive News. Volkswagen hasn’t sold a regular hybrid in the U.S. since it discontinued the Jetta hybrid sedan back in 2016, and has been squarely focused on pure EVs in recent years. However, American-based VW dealers have reportedly been pressuring the automaker to roll out new hybrids as consumers buy them in increasingly larger quantities, with some models accounting for as much as a 50 percent sales mix.

Gruner didn’t reveal when, exactly, we can expect to see new VW hybrids at U.S.-based dealerships, though other execs noted that such models could be “years away” this past November. However, it’s clear that the automaker is looking to offer a rather wide array of partially-electrified options, regardless. “The good news is it’s going to be not just one hybrid, but it’s going to be two hybrids in our bestselling vehicles,” Gruner said, adding that plug-in hybrids likely won’t be part of this shift.

“When I look at market shares from hybrids versus plug-in hybrids, hybrids are vastly more popular,” Gruner said. “So we will go into full hybrids. That gives the customer the best solution if they’re not ready for full electric yet, so that they have an electrified powertrain, that they have better fuel economy. But at the same time, the additional cost and price point also for the customer is digestible.”