Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume said the automotive concern was going to launch 30 all-new or updated vehicles under its subordinate brands in 2024. The first premiere is set for this Thursday, March 21, and concerns a performance version of the ID.Buzz minivan (judging by the teasers, at least).
The automaker reckons that expanding its model range in a turbulent market of today can help it stay afloat until things get better. Despite the shrinking demand for electric cars, the concern expects its total international sales to grow by 3% this year.
Blume emphasized that the company was not considering cutting its investment into the EV sector just because it was shrinking. Sales of the Audi Q6 e-tron, the Porsche Macan EV and the Volkswagen ID.7 are all set to begin later this year. Aside from purely electric vehicles, the German company plans to continue developing its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) lineup. According to Blume, VW Group is flexible enough to adapt to the needs of the rapidly changing local markets.
A good example of this flexibility is the company’s decision to switch priorities from China to North America. Volkswagen keeps losing its hold in China, but remains resolute that boosting sales in the USA will help it get out of this predicament. If it succeeds, North America may become the primary market of importance for VW. In the past year 2023, the company managed to sell 9% more cars there than in the preceding year. In 2024, it hopes for an even bigger sales bump of 22%.
As for the electric transports, the Volkswagen brand will continue populating its ID EV lineup with high-end GTX versions for the next few years. It looks like the new ID.Buzz GTX will be unveiled this Thursday. It is speculated that the minivan will pack two electric motors driving four wheels with a combined 340 PS (335 hp / 250 kW).
The VW Group CEO also confirmed that the company was still committed to the idea of releasing an affordable, sub-€20,000 electric car. It might have to enlist the help of another automaker to achieve it, though. Earlier reports said VW was in talks with Renault regarding this project.