Volkswagen has applied for multiple new trademarks. Interestingly enough, they all correspond to the company’s classic models with the “e-” prefix attached: e-Beetle, e-Golf Classic, e-Karmann, e-Kubel, and e-Samba. What could it mean?
One theory holds is that the German enterprise intends to resume the production of these models based on modern electric platforms. This is supported by Volkswagen saying in 2018 that it might as well re-release the iconic Beetle as an EV; a year after that, the car was put out of production.
Then there is the Kubelwagen (a.k.a. VW Typ 82), a military SUV that used to be produced in 1939–1945. Speaking about it in an interview three year ago, VW Chairman of the Board of Directors Herbert Diess said the company considered resurrecting it as a battery-powered crossover.
The Karmann-Ghia was a coupe and convertible series that used to be produced in 1955 through 1974. The Samba refers to a deluxe Transporter T1 trim available in the United States in the 1950s and 60s.
Then again, perhaps Volkswagen has no intentions to bring back these models after all, but rather wants to restore them using electric powertrains. To that end, it already has a cooperation agreement running with eClassics, which fits old Beetle cars with VW e-Up! motors and batteries. The company also produces e-Bulli buses based on the VW Type 2 (shown in the video) and considers switching to ID.3 powertrains when those become available.