No Tiny EVs for the U.S.
Volkswagen has officially confirmed what many suspected: small, affordable EVs won’t be coming to the U.S. anytime soon. While Europe is getting ready for budget-friendly models like the ID.1, ID.2, and the new ID.Every1, American drivers will have to look elsewhere.
At the New York Auto Show, VW Group of America CEO Kjell Gruner gave the full picture. According to him, these EVs are simply “too slow” for American preferences. And importing them from Europe would add high tariffs, making them too pricey for their size and features. “You’d just end up with a niche product that is too expensive for what it does,” he said.
Focused on Larger, More Profitable Vehicles
VW is choosing to double down on SUVs, hybrids, and larger vehicles that align with U.S. market demand. The company has gradually shifted away from small sedans, with only the Jetta and GTI/R variants of the Golf still in the mix.
The brand’s top seller, the Atlas, will see a new generation next year. It will remain gasoline-powered at launch, but hybrid options are reportedly on the table. The rugged Peak Edition trim, currently available on the Atlas, could also expand to other VW SUVs like the Tiguan.
An Electric Pickup? Still Possible
Volkswagen is also weighing the idea of a mid-size electric pickup truck. It wouldn’t be body-on-frame like traditional trucks but rather a unibody design, likely based on the Atlas platform—similar to the long-teased Tanoak concept.
Gruner hinted that if the truck becomes reality, it may include a range extender—a gas engine to recharge the battery—offering the practicality U.S. truck buyers expect.
VW’s EV Future: Big or Nothing
With no plans for small EVs, VW is leaving a gap in the affordable electric segment. While rivals like Chevy, Tesla, and Rivian chase the sub-$30K EV market, VW’s U.S. future appears firmly planted in larger, more powerful vehicles.
