The Right Shift
The Volkswagen Group (VW) has had a tough time recently, with sales tumbling globally; the auto giant has been regrouping and rethinking its overall strategy. It began with manufacturing plant closures, massive layoffs, and model lineup streamlining.
Streamlining the model lineup makes the most sense, focusing on the segments that matter and are sellable. It seems that is starting to pay off for the German automaker, whose newest affordable EV option is becoming a very hot seller.
Volkswagen
ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq Sales Kings
VW has been focusing on improving its performance in its own backyard first, the European market. In the past few months, a slew of affordable new EVs from VW and sister company Skoda and Cupra have finally been reaching dealerships across the continent. One of those new models is the VW ID. Polo, which also shares the same platform and some features with the Skoda Epiq.
According to a report by Automotive News Europe, the ID. Polo is quickly becoming a top seller for VW, with more than 30,000 units already on the order list since sales began in April of this year. Automotive News was also able to get a quote from a dealership that says the whole ID. Polo range is sold out, with some customers now facing wait times of at least 10 months.
The closely related Skoda Epiq is also generating the same amount of sales and interest, already logging 35,000 orders since sales began in July. A Skoda spokesperson told the news outlet that the Epiq is quickly gaining interest and said the brand has already ‘struck a nerve.’ It seems the market is responding to affordable EV models as cars and fuel continue to increase in price.
Skoda
Production Gridlock
While customer interest and high demand are always good things, it does present a problem in terms of meeting market demand. Volkswagen is aiming to address the issue by increasing production output at its Spanish factory in Martorell for the ID. Polo, and also at the VW factory in Pamplona for the Epiq.
Volkswagen
