Justifying VW’s decision not to repurpose the ID.Every1 design with a Cupra, SEAT or Skoda badge on the bonnet, Grünitz said: “When you have big segments like the [supermini] segment, it’s big enough to have maybe three brands. But when you look [at the city car market], it’s not big enough for three brands.
“Maybe the truth is that not every brand will be in every segment. So there’s one brand, and that is Volkswagen. We’ll do the volume we did with up!, with Mii and with Citigo,” Grünitz said.
While it’s unlikely, given the potential of the shrunken city-car market, that the ID.1 will outsell its predecessor by as many as three to one, Grünitz’s comments suggest VW is confident its new entry model can cater for customers who may have previously bought a SEAT or Skoda.
It tallies with comments made by ex-Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths earlier this year. Speaking to Auto Express, Griffiths said: “When you go to the party, you have to pay the entrance. You want to be in a project? Then you need to pay your part of the development. You need to make your own specific investments.
“It certainly makes sense for the folks at Volkswagen,” Griffiths said. “I think the Group needs an entry brand, and a brand that can attract a younger generation and offer affordable electro-mobility.”
So why Volkswagen, and not SEAT, or even Skoda? “Because it’s in our name: people’s car”, Grünitz told us. “That’s why we decided to do that.”
What’s up! with the ID.1 and ID.Lupo names?
Recent news that Volkswagen will reinvent famous nameplates on its next-generation EVs – starting with the ID.Polo and possibly ID.Tiguan next year – could see the ‘ID.1’ reach production as the ID.Lupo; the Lupo nameplate not having appeared on a VW in more than two decades.
Fancy a sensational small car but don’t want to wait? Check out the very best car deals available via the Auto Express Buy a Car service…
