Golf production plunges in recent years and Volkswagen bets on electric version by 2030 (X @VWGroup)
Production of the Volkswagen Golf, once the brand’s most popular car with over 37 million units produced since 1974, has been falling drastically.
In 2015, more than one million units were produced globally, but that number dropped to just over 300,000 in 2024. For 2025, VW projects only 250,000 units.
According to the factory council of the Wolfsburg plant, this decline is likely to continue, pressured by various factors such as software problems, a drop in interior finish quality, and design decisions that displeased consumers.
Another factor negatively impacting the Golf is the rise of SUVs, especially the T-Roc, a kind of crossover version of the Golf itself, which is already approaching Golf’s sales numbers in Europe. There is also a T-Roc convertible that has surpassed the Mazda Miata on the continent. This indicates a clear shift in consumer preferences toward taller vehicles with a more adventurous look.
Given this scenario, VW plans to move combustion Golf production to Mexico in 2027, which could lead to reduced working hours at the Wolfsburg factory. At the same time, the company is implementing a broad cost-cutting program that includes reducing 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030.
Despite the decline of the current version, the manufacturer intends to launch a fully electric Golf by the end of the decade, marking a new phase for the model amid industrial restructuring and fleet electrification.
Source: Motor1.com | Photo: X @VWGroup | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
