VW Aims to be Electric Car Leader by 2018

March 1, 2010
In 2012 will market a hybrid version of the Jetta in the U.S.

The biggest European carmaker, Volkswagen, said on March 1 that electric car sales should represent 3% of all sales by 2018, five years after the launch of its first production series.

"The goal is to become the market leader in E-mobility by the year 2018," boss Martin Winterkorn said ,the same year it hopes to become the world's leading car maker, ahead of rival Toyota.

VW has trailed behind Toyota in the launch of hybrid and electric cars but now plans to market the all electric E-UP model in 2013, the company said.

In the coming months, VW will test vehicles with a range of up to 150 kilometers (94 miles), "in key strategic markets of Europe, North America and China," it added.

VW will begin to market a hybrid version of the Jetta in the United States in 2012.

"Starting in 2013, the high-volume Golf and Jetta models of the Volkswagen brand are expected to dominate the hybrid and electric vehicle market," the statement said.

VW's luxury brand Audi said it would launch a hybrid version of its Q5 auto either late this year or in early 2011, followed by a limited introduction of the electric e-tron in 2012.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2010

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Preventive Maintenance: Improve Productivity on Production Floors

June 28, 2023
Everything needs to run smoothly in manufacturing. For processes to run smoothly, they need continuous improvement in every part of the chain. One area is operator maintenance...

Electric Vehicles Spark New Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

Dec. 4, 2023
Automakers have increased plans to produce Electric Vehicles to meet customer demand for low emissions. With this radical shift, new opportunities and challenges for the auto ...

Beat the odds. Optimize product costs. Mitigate supply chain issues.

Sept. 12, 2023
Leverage fact-based supplier negotiations. Enhance design. Get to market faster. Our comprehensive Should Cost Analysis guide shows you how.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!