As automakers are shifting (non-existent) gears to focus on fully-electric vehicles (EV), some of your favourite models are feared to be on the chopping block. The Volkswagen Golf might be one of those models with its future currently in doubt despite still selling well.

In an interview with German news publication, Welt, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Thomas Schäfer expects that combustion engine vehicle prices could rise significantly – between EUR 3,000 to 5,000 (~RM 14k - 23k) in the lead up to the planned EU emissions directive, Euro 7.

“With a small car, these additional costs can hardly be offset. So entry-level mobility with combustion engines will be significantly more expensive,” Schäfer said. “Starting prices at EUR 10,000 (~RM 45k) will no longer exist in the future,”

Hence, the next-generation Golf could be on the line despite being the best-selling car in Europe. As legislations begin to favour EVs more, Schäfer said that Volkswagen is in the midst of discussing its future.

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“We will have to see whether it is worth developing a new vehicle that does not last the full 7 or 8 years as it is extremely expensive,” the VW boss added. The Wolfsburg carmaker is currently working on an upgrade of the Mk8 Golf which made its global debut in 2019.

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That said, the fate of the ninth-generation Golf isn’t sealed shut and Schäfer told Welt that “We will know more in twelve months”.

With Volkswagen committed to ending sales of combustion engine cars in Europe by 2035, it is planning to introduce four small electric car models into the market from 2025. The four upcoming electric models include two Volkswagen models, a Skoda, and a Cupra with one of the VDub models planned to start from less than EUR 25,000 (~RM 113k).

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