For
those of us with a little gray hair, here’s a frightening thought: The
year 2050 is the exact same distance away from now as the year 1990 was in the
past. When thinking about the 1990's, I can't help but think about
popular things like Beanie Babies, a
Blockbuster membership card, a pager or
maybe even a cool pair of Doc Martens (ok, some may still wear those).
For many, 30 years ago seems like a very long time, for others, like me, it may
seem like yesterday. It's easy to look back on how far we've come in 30
years but it's always difficult to predict where we'll be 30 years into the
future.
Volkswagen
predicts they’ll be 100% carbon neutral by the year 2050. That’s a bold
and profound statement coming from any car maker. Of course, we all say,
“sure, but how?” Like anything, one must crawl before you can walk, so VW has
announced its reduction in carbon footprint in small segments over the course
of the next 30 years.
We
will have normal combustible engine vehicles for many years to come but
Volkswagen plans to invest $20+ Billion dollars making this carbon-neutral
claim a reality. We will start to see the beginning of this claim as soon
as this year with the EV platform (electric vehicle) and its code name “ID
CROSS”. The ID CROSS will be an SUV/crossover type vehicle that will hit the
market in 2020. Shortly after the ID CROSS, VW will launch the next EV,
which is what we’ve all been waiting for. With its code name “ID BUZZ”,
this van type vehicle will resemble the microbus from yesteryear. My
prediction is that it will come as model year 2023 but introduced into the U.S.
market in calendar year 2022.
Volkswagen
has unveiled and will release the all-new “Atlas Cross Sport” in just a few
short months. Building on the success of the 7-passenger current Atlas,
the Atlas Cross Sport will be a 5-seat configuration with a more slanted rear
hatch for a sportier look. The
Atlas is what’s considered a “B segment” SUV. The smaller and current Tiguan is
an “A segment” and the plans to release an “A- or A0” SUV is next, which is
smaller than the current Tiguan. That will give us 3 different SUV’s to compete
with here in the U.S. market.
Of
course, passenger cars, including the Jetta, Passat, GTI and fun to drive Golf R are continuously refreshed and
restyled keeping the entire line-up on the forefront of good looking and fun to
drive all while maintaining the safety and reliability the brand has always
been known for.
As
we move into 2020, or what I guess we again call “the roaring 20’s”, words
cannot describe how excited we are for the future of this brand. Trust
me, I’ve peeked under the curtains and looked into what VW has in store. The
“game-changer” type vehicles keep coming. If you haven’t visited
our showroom in a while, I invite you to come and see all the new and
exciting products.
Thank
you again for your continued support and as always, happy motoring.
John Chauvin, General Manager
Hewlett Volkswagen, LP
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