Volkswagen will launch a new compact SUV internally called the "Volks-SUV" or People's SUV. It will be produced for the US, China and other markets outside of Europe. VW plans to sell 400,000 of these small utility vehicles every year. The new compact crossover will start in China. It will be built in a joint-venture factory.
The new model is slightly more compact than the Volkswagen Tiguan. It will sit on the MQB architecture for cars with front transverse engines. VW approved the design last week. Europe won't be receiving the "Volks-SUV" because it already has one on the way. The T-Roc was unveiled late last year, and it's available with a variety of gas and diesel powertrains. It's loaded with standard safety features, but something tells me that whatever comes to the US will have a similar level of techno-kit.
Volkswagen brand is intensifying a push into the lucrative and fast-growing SUV category. It will widen its SUV lineup to 20 models by 2020 and expects those vehicles to account for 40 percent of sales volume by then. It will unveil an updated version of its flagship Touareg SUV in China next week. A new subcompact model dubbed T-Cross will be added in Europe at the end of this year.
