Many models with combustion engines are to become significantly more expensive.
(Photo: dpa)
Wolfsburg Volkswagen customers will have to pay more for combustion models later this month. The new car prices of many vehicles from the core brand with the appropriate drive are expected to rise by an average of 4.4 percent from February 23.
Europe’s largest car company justified the step for its main division on Thursday with growing expenses, for example in the purchase of raw materials and energy: “Volkswagen cannot escape the high inflation either.” reported to the plans.
VW explained that they are trying to counteract this with long-term contracts or deals to secure prices for basic resources. “However, these cost effects cannot be fully compensated for.”
The price increase is said to apply to most diesel, petrol or natural gas models. According to information from the trade journal, more than 5 percent more will be charged for some variants of the Golf or the T-Roc.
The order books of a number of car manufacturers are bulging, but the lack of microchips and other electronics often leads to long waiting times. VW emphasized: “We are doing everything we can to deliver the ordered vehicles to our customers as quickly as possible.” Used vehicles have also become more expensive due to the scarce supply.
New emission standard could drive up prices further
Another factor could drive prices up in the medium term: the planned EU Euro 7 emissions standard. Industry representatives and Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) warned the EU Commission against too harsh and fast rules.
With a view to climate protection, one must also ask why large sums of money should still be invested in combustion engines, even though the technology is being phased out. VW CEO Oliver Blume
Several manufacturers emphasized that the introduction of the necessary technology to comply with stricter limit values for nitrogen oxide emissions was too time-consuming and would likely make models more expensive. On the other hand, environmental organizations are calling for all classic diesel and petrol engines to be phased out as soon as possible.
At a works meeting at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg on Thursday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also spoke indirectly on the subject. According to groups of participants, he assured that the federal government would “not forget the present when looking to the future and always ensure realistic solutions”.
Group boss Oliver Blume said of the present Brussels concept: “This proposal cannot be implemented in time. With a view to climate protection, you also have to ask the question why large sums should still be invested in combustion engines even though the technology is being phased out.”
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