VPCM confirms new SUV model to expand its lineup; T-Cross, T-Roc or Touareg?

During the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line facelift’s launch, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) held a press conference for the media and its enquiries. Answering a question posted by WapCar.my, VPCM hinted that a new SUV could be joining the model line-up.

Initially, we questioned if there are plans to launch the Volkswagen Polo Mk6 in Malaysia. Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM, said that there are no plans to introduce the Polo Mk6 here in the near future.

Also read: No sign of Malaysia debut, 2021 VW Polo facelift launched: Standard LED headlights and 1.0T

Mr Winter went on to divulge that instead of the Polo, the company is looking to introduce one other model to expand the line-up in Malaysia.

It was also mentioned that the trend is now SUVs and the market currently favours them (VPCM's best-selling model is currently the Tiguan AllSpace), basically hinting that the new model would be an SUV.

Now, VPCM did not mention a specific model, so the following will be our speculation.

There are three possible VW SUV models that can be introduced in Malaysia – T-Cross, T-Roc, and Touareg. If we were to narrow down the possibilities, the Volkswagen Touareg would be the least likely option.

The previous generation Touareg sold in low volumes under the previous management. At its half-a-million Ringgit price point, it’s tough to convince the local crowd to look past the badge.

Considering the success of Honda HR-V and Proton X50, it's only normal for a car company to want a piece of the action in the B-segment SUV market. Enter the Volkswagen T-Roc and T-Cross.

The T-Cross is Volkswagen’s smallest SUV, though only slightly more compact than the T-Roc. In Europe, Volkswagen markets the T-Cross as the more practical and family-friendly car due to its boxier shape.

If you’re wondering which segment does the Volkswagen T-Cross belong in relative to the T-Roc, well, so are we. It would be like differentiating the Toyota Corolla Cross and RAV4, or similarly the Mazda CX-30 and CX-5. But let’s not get bogged down on which car belongs to which segment.

Between the Volkswagen T-Roc and T-Cross, it’s anybody’s guess at the moment. Previously, we talked about Volkswagen T-Roc being teased in Malaysia, and it turned out to be a manipulated photo based on an international market picture.

But could it really have been an easter egg? Time will tell.

Also read: 

VW T-Roc teased in Malaysia Arteon R-Line facelift preview?

Electric VW models in Malaysia: VPCM's plans pending government EV policy