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VW Drops Jetta Hybrid in the U.S.
Volkswagen AG will stop selling the hybrid-electric derivative of its Jetta compact sedan in the U.S. after the 2016 model year due to sluggish sales.
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Volkswagen AG will stop selling the hybrid-electric derivative of its Jetta compact sedan in the U.S. after the 2016 model year due to sluggish sales.
The hybrid model, which was launched in late 2012, accounted for less than 1% of the Jetta’s U.S. sales volume. It’s the only hybrid vehicle VW offers in the country.
Powered by a 27-hp electric motor and a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the Jetta hybrid has a 44-mpg EPA fuel efficiency rating. But its $31,900 sticker price is 70% higher than that of a base four-banger Jetta, which gets 33 mpg.
Overall U.S. sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles plunged more than 21% through May compared with 2016 levels. The decline is attributed to low fuel prices and the improved fuel efficiency of conventionally powered vehicles.
Last month VW announced aggressive plans to sell 1 million plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles per year by 2020. The initiative calls for expanding the company’s lineup of such models from six today to 20 by that time.
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