These Volkswagen, Audi And Porsche Models May Be On The Chopping Block

Crunch Time at VW Group

If you read the headlines surrounding the Volkswagen Group, it's mostly about its future being at stake. Mind you, it's still the largest automotive conglomerate in Europe, but that doesn't mean it's in rude health. If anything, the company is doing all it can to reduce costs, buck downward sales trends, and return to healthier profits.

To say it's embattled would be an understatement for the group at the moment. Tens of thousands of people are at risk of losing their livelihoods, and factories face shutdowns. That said, the automaker recognizes that its model lineup has bloated over the years and needs to trim it down before it reaches the point of no return. The next couple of months will be crucial, and VW and the brands under its wing need to pivot quickly.

Several VW Models are Facing the Axe

Per Automotive News, several VW models are at risk of being culled. Some models mentioned include the Taigo, ID.4, and ID.5, which have failed to meet market expectations. Other models currently struggling are the ID. Buzz, as well as the subcompact Taos.

That said, the Jetta faces a relatively uncertain future given sliding sales in North America, but the company insists there is still life in the model. In Europe, the Polo might make way for the all-electric ID. Polo eventually, a somewhat risky strategy given that the Polo is the car that attracts a good number of first-time buyers over there.

One Obvious Model for Audi

Audi had discontinued two of its least expensive models, the A1 and Q2. That said, the biggest model at risk is, well, its largest sedan, the A8. At the moment, Audi doesn't exactly know what to do with it, and while production of the current generation is still ongoing, it doesn't guarantee long-term prospects given the trickle of sales it does.

That said, the A7 might not see a new generation given that the brand wants to simplify its lineup. The company has also poured a whole lot of resources into the redesigned A6, and a niche four-door coupe isn't likely high on the priority list right now. If the impending return of the RS 6 sedan is another indicator, the odds of the A7 continuing are looking slim. The same can be said about another four-door coupe, the e-Tron GT.

Four-Door Porsches No More?

One would think that the Panamera should outsell the 911 given Porsche's model hierarchy. But that isn't the case at all, as the quintessential sports car is easily seeing more buyers than the four-door. The 911 is outselling the Panamera by more than 3-to-1 in the U.S.

As for the Taycan, the gap between it and the 911 stretches by five to one. With that, neither of the four-door Porsches has particularly good prospects. With the way things are going, it seems that Porsche can survive on the 911, Cayenne, and Macan for as long as it doesn't set lofty sales targets for itself.

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