UPDATE: After this unique submit ran, VW admitted that the “Voltswagen” rebranding was a advertising and marketing stunt — even after telling a number of main information organizations that it was actually occurring, and issuing a press launch. A proof of what occurred will be discovered right here.
The unique story seems under, however is not true. Disregard.
Earlier immediately, stories got here out from CNBC and USA At the moment that Volkswagen can be rolling out some new branding beneath the identify Voltswagen. It was all detailed in a leaked press launch. Contemplating our proximity to April Idiot’s Day, a day when many automakers publish foolish information bulletins, we figured that was the case. Properly, we have acquired phrase from a supply on the firm that signifies VW actually goes to begin badging its electrical automobiles as Voltswagens, and a variety of different shops have acquired affirmation from sources inside VW, too.
The Related Press stories {that a} formal announcement is coming tomorrow.
In keeping with CNBC, the brand new model identify will apply primarily to the corporate’s electrical automobiles, which is able to function a badge that claims “Voltswagen.” They will even get a variant of the principle VW badge with a lightweight blue background, relatively than darkish blue for the internal-combustion automobiles. The interior-combustion automobiles will merely proceed to get the VW model and mannequin identify.
“We may be altering out our Okay for a T, however what we aren’t altering is that this model’s dedication to creating best-in-class automobiles for drivers and other people all over the place,” VW of America CEO Scott Keogh stated within the errant launch.
The brand new identify will apparently be utilized completely within the U.S., the place Voltswagen of America will likely be a part of the Volkswagen Group of America, which additionally consists of Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini U.S. gross sales, and is a part of the general Volkswagen AG headquartered in Germany.
It is simple to see why a number of shops immediately thought this may be an April Idiot’s joke. Positive, it is a cute pun that may be nice for an advert marketing campaign, nevertheless it presents a couple of issues with precise branding. For one factor, VW already had a designation for its electrical automobiles: the “ID” prefix. The corporate has even been utilizing it for years on its electrical ideas again to the ID.Buzz minivan. Now, VW will likely be doubling down on electrical identifiers or, put one other means, spending time on two schemes which might be basically redundant.
Just one electrical VW is on sale within the U.S. to this point, the ID.4, and it is solely the second manufacturing VW EV ever supplied right here. There are extra EVs coming, together with a remake of the Sort 2 bus, however VW goes to be promoting Tiguans, Atlases, Taoses, Jettas and GTIs for a number of years, or extra, to return. After which, when VW ultimately goes all-electric and the notion is not so novel, will the corporate return to Volkswagen, as a substitute of Voltswagen?
On this, VW would even be abandoning a nameplate with heritage. Positive, there are some very darkish facets to Volkswagen’s historical past, however there’s a number of constructive, too, and lots of people that love Volkswagens, not essentially Voltswagens. Appears like we’ll be taught extra tomorrow.
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