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The Volkswagen Group's sizable global portfolio will get notably smaller in the coming years as the German automotive giant tries to fix its financial struggles. Just last week, it announced plans to gradually reduce its vast model lineup, which could be cut in half. While the VW Group hasn't yet revealed which nameplates among its many brands—Audi, Bentley, Cupra, Lamborghini, Porsche, Scout Motors, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen—are potentially on the chopping block, a German newspaper claims to know the preliminary list, which was brought to our attention by a Motor1 report.
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
According to the German newspaper, the VW Group's hit list includes the long-running Jetta sedan as well as the Taos subcompact SUV. The Audi Q5 Sportback and Q6 e-tron Sportback are also among the reported upcoming casualties. Porsche isn't expected to introduce a second-generation Tayan EV, and the Cayenne Coupe, as well as plans for a next-generation gas-powered 718 Boxster and Cayman, are reportedly being scrapped. While they're not relevant to the U.S. market, the Cupra Raval and Skoda Fabia are both said to be destined for discontinuation.
Jessica Lynn Walker|Car and Driver
Audi
Of course, none of this has been officially confirmed, and even if these models do end production, they may survive for another model year or more. What we're likely to see in the near future is fewer trim levels and available options, as VW Group said last week in a statement that it plans to simplify model lines and reduce the number of equipment options by up to 75 percent. Car and Driver has reached out to Volkswagen for comment on the report, and we'll update this story if we hear back.
➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.