There is perhaps no car manufacturer more than Volkswagen where Germany’s erratic approach to electrification is having a greater impact.
https://www.electrive.com/2026/09/07/vw-id-polo-sold-out-for-months-ahead/
First came German optimism about electrification, a full range of VW ID. models which – certainly following the sudden collapse of subsidies – are selling less than expected (though they are, incidentally, very popular on the second-hand market!).
Following this disillusionment with sales numbers, the Germans lobbied for the European EV transition to be slowed down and for the combustion engine to have a longer lifespan. Volkswagen postponed the launch of its 'affordable' electric car.
The relaxation of the 2025 CO₂ emission targets was made possible by the promise that new, smaller and ‘more affordable’ electric cars would come onto the market in the coming years. Now it’s here: a ‘boring’ and relatively affordable electric car.
VW has learnt its lesson and, this time, has taken into account a much lower production capacity.
But what a surprise, despite all the talk of ‘Aus vom Verbrenner-Aus’, suddenly people are ordering that electric VW and the manufacturer can’t keep up.
https://www.electrive.com/2026/09/07/vw-id-polo-sold-out-for-months-ahead/
Whilst German politicians and university presidents are busy riding their hobby horses, Germans apparently just want to drive electric at last.
@burger_jaap
A cheap to buy, cheap to operate car sells a lot.
European car makers:
edit: I probably should add #NotAllEuropeanCarMakers. But a lot.
