The EV Market Has Split
It doesn’t come as a surprise that brands under the Volkswagen Group selling EVs in the U.S. took a tumble, given that most of their models are subject to import tariffs and compete in more challenging market conditions, where the Trump administration has rolled back EV-friendly policies. Based on its sales report, the company delivered 5,100 EVs in the U.S. in Q3 2026, an 86.4% drop from 37,400 over the same period last year.
What makes this development interesting is that VW Group delivered 209,100 EVs in Europe from July to September 2026, a 19.6% increase year over year. These two markets are on opposite ends of the spectrum, with China and the rest of the world caught in between while also posting delivery declines. Nevertheless, the automaker isn’t giving up on EVs in the U.S., but has scaled back its ambitions.
Back to the Drawing Board
Volkswagen already ended production of the ID.4 at its Chattanooga Assembly Plant in Tennessee amid weaker EV demand. The model will be succeeded by the ID. Tiguan, which will launch first in Europe in early 2027. The ID. Buzz will also return, but with a postponed timeline, reportedly in the first half of next year as a 2028 model.
Audi and Porsche will continue dealing with import tariffs on their EVs, including the Q4 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, A6 e-tron, e-tron GT, Taycan, Macan Electric, and Cayenne Electric. There have been reports of Audi potentially using VW’s Chattanooga plant or Scout Motors’ South Carolina plant for U.S. production, but nothing is final at the moment.
Across the Atlantic, VW Group is enjoying EV sales growth in Europe with a wider range of brands, including CUPRA and Škoda. It is also introducing even smaller and more affordable EVs, such as the ID. Polo and ID. Cross, which have already attracted orders ahead of customer deliveries. These EVs are expected to drive further sales growth, but given their sizes, they aren’t likely to make their way stateside anytime soon.
Volkswagen
The Bigger Sales Struggle
Outside of EVs, VW Group delivered a total of 1,885,300 vehicles globally in Q3 2026, a 14.3% drop compared to the same period last year. The overall delivery decline in North America was less dramatic at just 5.8%, with 232,700 vehicles delivered. What saw a far sharper drop was China, which posted a 38.5% sales dip to 405,800 vehicles.
In terms of 2026 year-to-date results, VW Group delivered 6,011,000 vehicles globally (down 9%) and 680,200 vehicles in North America (down 4%).
VW
