No VW hybrids until at least 2010

Still in R&D stage

Despite a number of hybrid concepts, don't expect either a VW or a Audi hybrid until at least 2010 according to Autobloggreen. VW recently updated its hybrid plans, noting that it is developing proprietary technology for hybrid cars and electric vehicles, except for battery technology. Sanyo will be VW's battery supplier.

VW going all-hybrid?

Every VW will come in a hybrid option?

There has been a persistent rumor floating around on the Internet that VW will offer a hybrid option on all of its vehicles. Rumors. Rumors. Rumors.

Maybe a year or so ago, VW announced a line of hybrid vehicles only to significantly reduce those plans shortly thereafter. In the next few years, I think VW is far more focused on clean diesel rather than hybrids.

Thus, I don't think VW has any specific hybrid plans, other than for the Touareg.

Nonetheless, by 2010, both Peugeot and Mercedes will start rolling out diesel hybrids, such as the 308 HDI diesel hybrid or the E300 BlueTec diesel hybrid, and it appears that Mercedes is becoming very serious about diesel hybrids.

So, VW is paying attention.

And, who can blame them? With the greenhouse gas legislation being proposed by the EU, diesel hybrids might be the only way forward for European automakers.

VW changing mind on compact hybrids?

Earlier this month VW announced that it had changed its plans for hybrid cars. Compact hybrids were on hold and only the Touareg was going to be offered as a hybrid (Read Post). While, unconfirmed, there are new rumors hitting the blogosphere suggesting that VW has changed its mind regarding VW compact hybrids.

VW puts all hybrids on hold, except one

The only VW hybrid?

Now that Martin Winterkorn has replaced Bernd Pischetsrieder as VW AG's new chairman, he's making some changes. For example, Winterkorn is putting VW's plans to make several hybrid cars on hold. At this point, it seems only the Touareg will be offered as a hybrid version in late 2008 according to AutoWeek.

The timing of this story is a bit interesting because it seems to closely coincide with the EU's new plans to water down their proposed CO2 emission reductions for automakers. The original proposal probably would have forced VW and other European automakers to develop hybrids to meet the new standards. The new proposal, however, doesn't force automakers to be as green.