Volkswagen

There's no doubt that today's UCOTD is a project car. This 1978 Volkswagen Rabbit will need a TON of work.

Volkswagen recently confirmed that it would shutter at least three factories in its home country of Germany as part of its aggressive cost-cutting measures. We’re now learning about the closure of another of VW’s facilities in Brussels, Belgium, where it builds Audi EVs.

Scout Motors ruffled dealers’ feathers when it announced a direct-to-consumer sales model, but the automaker isn’t sidestepping physical locations altogether. The company announced several store locations across key U.S. markets, which will service vehicles and give prospective buyers the opportunity to see its new EVs.

A short while ago, Volkswagen said that it could close some of its German factories to cut costs. The move would be the automaker’s first closure in its home country, and we now have confirmation that VW plans to shutter three of its German factories, which will impact tens of thousands of workers.

The Scout is out.

What do you think about the truck and SUV?

Do you like classic off-roaders? Do you also like to complain that modern takes on iconic vehicles often miss the mark entirely and ramble about how electrification ruins everything? If you answered “yes” to one or both of those questions, Volkswagen has something for you. Scout took to the stage in Nashville, TN, yesterday to debut two electric concept vehicles – an SUV and a pickup.

The new all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz just debuted in North America. If you’re in the market for a new van that can also do double-duty as a camper, you may want to pay attention. Although this adventure-mobile has just been released here, my husband, Andy Lilienthal, and I spent nearly three weeks with one in Europe. Let’s look at the 2025 North American-spec Volkswagen ID. Buzz versus the early-2024 rear-wheel-drive German-market model we had overseas. We’ll dissect comparative stats, differences, and impressions of both. 

No matter what VW ID. Buzz trim level you may get, is it long-distance road trip worthy even though it’s an EV? Yes. At least with careful planning (we put nearly 5,000 miles on our German-market ID. Buzz Pro) when we competed in the 2024 Baltic Sea Circle Rally (BSCR) with one.

Last week I drove what might be the most interesting, if not anticipated, vehicle launched this year -- the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

Today, my review went live.

I've had my say -- I want to hear yours.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz might be one of the most hotly anticipated EVs in recent memory, but the automaker recently confirmed that its production lines would be ready for the hyped-up electric van. VW America CEO Pablo Di Si said he expects there to be ample supply to cover what is expected to be heavy demand over the model’s first two years.

It's probably safe to say that the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz is the most buzzed-about anticipated VW debut in quite some time.

Certainly it got a lot of attention from passer-by as I tested it in and around San Francisco last week.

With so much, uh, buzz hype surrounding this hippie-van-inspired people mover, does it deliver?

I just spent the morning driving the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz around San Francisco and Marin County. I can't yet tell you about how it drives -- check back next week -- but I have a bit more time with VW internals before I leave and can get some questions answered for you.

So, what do you want to know?

Today's Used Car of the Day is a 1992 Volkswagen Corrado SLC that's had a lot of work done.

The Volkswagen Taos is getting an update for 2025 that brings fresh styling, new tech, and a more powerful engine. Today, we learned pricing for the automaker’s smallest crossover, and it remains a relatively value-forward pick in a hyper-competitive segment. The new Taos is expected to land on dealers’ lots in late 2024.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has been around in its current form for almost a decade now, and its competitors have gotten a lot better during that time. VW aims to upgrade the SUV with a new model, starting in Europe. Orders for the new Tayron opened today on the Old Continent, and VW said it would bring a modified version of the SUV to the United States soon.

It's wagon time again with this 2008 Volkswagen Passat VR6.

My driveway was recently graced by a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan SE R-Line.

Dealer allocations for the ID.Buzz will reportedly hinge on how many ID.4 models retailers have been able to move. While there will be more going into VW’s through process than that, the volume of EVs dealers have sold will apparently be playing a very large role in terms of how many electrified vans will be made available for showrooms this fall.

Today we bring you a two-owner 2016 Volkswagen Golf R.

In 2017, VW displayed a retro electric van concept with a retro style, harkening back to the iconic T2 Transporter or micro bus. Like any concept, there was speculation whether it’d actually get produced. In 2022 it did. Behold, the ID. Buzz … for the European. Nevertheless, North American buyers will get their turn to have an ID. Buzz later this year. But I wanted to drive one sooner, and I had just the location and route in mind.

Volkswagen’s smallest crossover is getting an overhaul for the 2025 model year. The Taos, which debuted a few years ago, will see refreshed exterior styling, new interior fixtures, and an upgraded turbocharged engine.

On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that Volkswagen would need to recall 98,806 all-electric crossovers over an issue with the doors. The matter is effectively an expansion of a 2023 recall impacting the 2021-2022 VW ID.4. The recall now encompasses vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model year.

I don't how rare a manual-transmission Volkswagen Eos is, but I imagine they aren't super common. This 2007 Volkswagen Eos shows that they do exist, at least.

Volkswagen Transporters with the factory Westfalia treatment tend to sell for good money even when they're a bit rough around the edges, so you'd think they'd be virtually nonexistent in your local Ewe Pullet, right? Not so! Here's a Sage Green T2 Campmobile with its pop-up tent deployed, found in a Northern California car graveyard.

Dieselgate was a huge blemish on VW’s public image, and the fallout continues today, nine years after the story broke. Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn recently appeared in court on fraud charges related to Dieselgate, and the now-77-year-old faces fines and other penalties if he’s found guilty.

Despite many manufacturers turning away from sedans, Volkswagen has remained committed with the Jetta seeing a nice sales bump as a result. For the 2025 model year, VW is giving the Jetta and GLI refreshed exterior, updated interior elements and even a lower starting MSRP.

However, this isn’t a total re-imagining of the sedan. The Jetta persists as affordable transportation that somehow manages to feel more upscale than it actually is, whereas the GLI remains one of the better sport sedans in its segment — especially for those still wanting to option a manual transmission.

Automakers temporarily pause production and move things around between factories all the time, but Volkswagen has never closed a factory in its home country of Germany. That could change soon, however, as the automaker recently announced that it would consider plant closures there to help it cut expenses in its core product lines.

Today we have a 1990 Volkswagen GTI that's for sale on the East Coast.

Today we bring you a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI that is located somewhere near where I live.

A few years ago, Volkswagen announced that it would build six battery production facilities worldwide by 2030, but the automaker is walking back some of those plans as EV demand isn’t growing as quickly as expected.

I've been trying to stay away from Volkswagens for a few days after a few of you pointed out that this feature has been a bit too VW-heavy lately, but I couldn't resist this 1993 Volkswagen Corrado SLC. I mean, it's a Corrado.

Rumors of the gas-powered Volkswagen Golf’s demise might be overblown. Company executives recently stated that the car could stay in production until 2035, which aligns with the EU’s plan to ban internal combustion vehicles.

Today we bring you a Mk6 GTI for our used car of the day. This 2010 Volkswagen GTI is a high-mileage example with a manual transmission.

Rivian and Volkswagen recently announced a joint venture, but it first had to pass the scrutiny of the German Federal Cartel Office. The pair got the greenlight, which will see VW making a significant investment in Rivian and billions into building the venture.

Volkswagen is set to give Rivian $3 billion and plans to spend another $2 billion to get the joint venture off the ground, after German officials said the partnership had “no serious competition problems.” That said, it’s worth noting that the German automaker has set performance milestones before Rivian earns the entire amount.

Volkswagen is expected to roll out the second and third models in its ID electric vehicle line for U.S. buyers soon, but Europeans and other global markets have more of the company’s EVs to choose from. The automaker recently revealed the ID. Unyx, a sporty electric crossover for the Chinese market that offers a solid range estimate, striking styling, and unique tech features.

Today we bring you a clean-looking 2010 Volkswagen CC with the DSG automatic transmission and about 147,000 miles on it.

If you want an older sedan with a stick, give this 2001 Volkswagen Passat GLX a look.

Today we bring you a 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI that has been heavily modified and needs some cosmetic work.

It wasn't a prediction, exactly, but journalist Peter Ramsay from EVInFocus.com did some reporting last year that suggested executives were calling for Volkswagen to invest in Rivian.

Volkswagen no longer makes diesels, of course, but if you want a VW diesel and can deal with an old car, maybe this relatively inexpensive 2000 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

It's been awhile since we've had some van time. Today, though, we rectify that with this 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan Weekender MV.

Volkswagen announced yesterday that it will be dropping $1 billion into Rivian -- and perhaps up to $5 billion over time.

This investment from a legacy automaker into a startup EV maker got me wondering -- what other legacy OEMs should put some cash into EV startups? Which startups should benefit?

Rivian started life with significant investments from Ford, Amazon, and others, but the automaker has struggled with profitability in recent times. However, while it has delayed investments in new production facilities and conducted layoffs to cut costs, Rivian is still burning through its cash reserves. Volkswagen could be the one to save the day, as it recently announced a joint venture with the automaker that will inject $1 billion into its operations to start.

Wolfsburg has reached into its bag of tricks and pulled out one powerful rabbit. When it goes on sale, the next VW Golf R will pack 328 horsepower, thirteen more than the old model, and should scamper to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds.

The 2025 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta GLI are refreshed, getting slightly updated styling, new available colors, and a lower pre-fees MSRP.

As far as saving the manuals goes, VW is taking one stick-shift away and leaving one available.

Despite an exodous by other makes, Volkswagen is sticking with the compact sedan segment – at least for the foreseeable future. Iterations of the 2025 Jetta and Jetta GLI will be unveiled early next week.

This week I was testing the 2024 Volkswagen Taos SEL.

Volkswagen fans will be pleased to learn the German brand’s lineup for the 2025 model year will apparently be the freshest array of machines it’s had on sale in some spell.

The Golf R represents the current pinnacle of Volkswagen’s performance offerings in the United States, but despite rumors of its demise, the automaker will release an updated car for the 2025 model year. VW recently teased the revised eighth-generation car, saying that it would debut on June 26.

Volkswagen hasn’t given up on its electrification plans, but it plans to shift some of its EV-designated funds to continue developing gas engines. Company Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz said the automaker would spend around $65 billion to “keep our combustion cars competitive.”

It was only a short spell ago that we all learned Volkswagen is hitting the pause button on the ID.7 in this country, deferring to changing market dynamics as a reason for the move. Now, the brand is eagerly posting about the imminent introduction of a cheap-as-chips EV – in Europe.

Volkswagen is recalling over 80,000 ID.4 electric vehicles, from the 2021-2023 model years, over concerns that interior screens may turn off without warning. While not really much of an issue on older cars, this is a colossal problem for newer models that have integrated touchscreen technology as essential for vehicle controls.

Volkswagen has been teasing the Golf GTI Clubsport all month ahead of the planned reveal during Nürburgring 24 Hours. The endurance race will serve as the premiere of what’s likely to become the most powerful GTI VW has ever fielded. The bad news is that North America isn’t supposed to receive this particular vehicle. But the good news is that some of its equipment is likely to migrate over to the standard GTI that’s still sold in the United States for the 2025 model year.

Volkswagen will roll out new Scout-branded EVs in the coming years, and its South Carolina factory is well underway. In addition to the hardware it takes to build thousands of new electric vehicles, the automaker is focused on making the site as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.

Not even two months after detailing powertrain, battery size, and trim walk for the all-electric ID.7 sedan, Volkswagen has announced they are delaying its introduction.

Today we feature a clean-looking 2003 Volkswagen Golf.

Today's UCOTD is a 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX.

Dealers are often the first group to sound concerns when something changes in the auto industry, whether they’re justified in their complaints or not. Most recently, a state dealer association created an ad asking Volkswagen Group and Sony Honda Mobility not to sell their upcoming EVs outside of the existing dealer network over concerns the new divisions could follow Tesla and Rivian in selling directly to buyers.