A new naming strategy at Volkswagen

Volkswagen is setting the course for the future when it comes to model names. With a new naming strategy, it is carrying the familiar names of its combustion-engine models over to its ID. electric family. The first model to go on sale will be the ID. Polo in 2026. The concept car is known as the ID. 2all.

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand and member of the Group Board of Management: "The names of our models are firmly rooted in people's minds. They stand for a strong brand and embody qualities such as quality, timeless design and modern technology that is accessible to everyone. That is why we are carrying our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is only the beginning."

Volkswagen will carry more and more established names over to its electric portfolio. At the same time, all cars with conventional drive will keep their current names. With this strategy Volkswagen brings together the worlds of electric and combustion engines, helping customers find their way more easily through the brand's model range in the future.

The ID. designation stands for innovative technology and electric mobility. The Polo has always been a symbol of quality, safety and innovation that is accessible to people. The new ID. Polo combines these qualities and will go on sale under its new name in the year of the Polo's 50th anniversary, as the first model of this strategy. Martin Sander, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and After Sales: "Our cars often accompany people for many years: they shape memories and milestones in life. A model like the Polo shows how strong a name can be: it stands for reliability, individuality and history. That is exactly why we are once again giving our ID. models names that stir emotions and are rooted in people's everyday lives. Electric mobility should not only be progressive, but also affordable and personal." The second future ID. model for the small car segment will stir special emotions. Martin Sander: "We are bringing one of our strongest brands, GTI, into the world of electric cars. In 2026 the ID. GTI Concept will go into production as the ID. Polo GTI. It will offer outstanding dynamics and plenty of driving pleasure.

" Still under camouflage, the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI will make their first public appearance worldwide at IAA MOBILITY in Munich (8 to 14 September). The day before, on 7 September, Volkswagen will present the concept car for an electric compact SUV, the new ID. CROSS Concept, in a world premiere. The production version of this concept car, the ID. Cross, will go on sale at the end of 2026 as the electric counterpart of the T-Cross.

For Volkswagen, the premiere of the smaller and more compact cars of its electric family marks the start of a new era: electric driving will be more affordable than ever, thanks to new models such as the ID. Polo and ID. Cross. All the new models clearly show that Volkswagen is responding even more closely to customer feedback. This can be seen, among other things, in the higher quality with soft materials, the smart combination of digital and physical controls, and the intuitive operating concept. Volkswagen introduced the ID. family name in 2018. It designates the separate all-electric product range in the Volkswagen brand's portfolio. The first model to go on sale was the ID.3. Other models followed, which also differ in their model numbers depending on the car's segment. The largest model is the ID.7, offered as a saloon and an estate. It is currently the market leader in Germany and Europe. ID.