Until now, the Volkswagen Group's bet on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) was an example, with the German group having a total of 19 models that use this fuel divided by its various brands.
However, according to the German newspaper Handlesblatt, the Volkswagen Group's bet on the GNC seems to have its days numbered, shifting the focus only and only to electrification.
According to the German newspaper, the CEO of the Volkswagen Group, Herbert Diess, informed the group's executives that, gradually, the CNG engines will be “renovated”, with the current models that use this technology not having any foreseen successor.
The objective is to allow the release of funds that will later be applied to the Volkswagen Group's electrification plan. The same newspaper also claims that Herbert Diess has stated that the costs of developing CNG are greater than the potential profits created by this technology.
Does this measure affect current models?
Although the Volkswagen Group's bet on GNC seems to be about to end, this decision will not affect the current GNC models that are part of the portfolio of the various brands of the group.
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The most curious thing about this decision is the fact that, until recently, the GNC was a strong bet of the Volkswagen Group, with SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen itself having several models that used (and use) this technology.
Otherwise let's see. Last year, virtually the entire SEAT range received CNG versions; two years ago, Skoda unveiled a GNC prototype, the Vision X, in Geneva, and meanwhile launched a Scala that consumes this fuel; finally, Volkswagen itself is preparing to offer the new Caddy with a CNG engine.
Adding to all this, and motivating even greater awkwardness around this decision, is the fact that two years ago, the former SEAT CEO, Luca De Meo, stated “the GNC has enormous business potential for the industry automobile” — something has changed since then…
Sources: Handlesblatt and Automotive News Europe.
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