VW: 3 percent hybrid and EV by 2018

Nice improvement, but…….

Starting in 2012, VW will launch a number of new hybrid cars and electric vehicles, including the UP concept, as well as hybrid and electric versions of the Golf and Jetta, in addition to hybrid versions of the Passat and Touareg. Combined, the vehicles should achieve 3 percent of VW’s total share of vehicles by 2018 according to current plans.

“The goal is to become the market leader in E-mobility by the year 2018. We want to attain an electric vehicle market share of three percent within our entire range of products. We will take the hybrid out of its niche status with our high-volume models. In the future, the heart of the brand will also beat with electricity,” noted Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

While that’s a very nice improvement, it’s hard to call that leadership. Toyota already sits above 3 percent hybrid share, and by 2020 Toyota hopes to be at 20 to 30 percent hybrid share, in addition to offering its own plug-in hybrid and EV solutions.

Of course, with all the recall scandals dogging Toyota, maybe 3 percent will be enough to be the battery-powered leader!? Either that, or it will be a blood path for the #2 EV-share player.