Obviously, this is for Europe as the ID.3 is not offered here and the Golf is on its way out.
Fewer than 3,000 units separated the ID.3 from the Golf last December.
Although the Golf never became a huge seller for Volkswagen in North America, in Europe, it has reigned as the or one of the best-selling car on the continent for decades. There is a shift taking place in Europe as the new fully-electric ID.3 is about to upset the norm.
Volkswagen ID.3 | Photo: Volkswagen
In December of 2020, 29,949 new Volkswagen Golfs were sold while 26,987 new ID.3 compact EVs were delivered. This gap will likely disappear and do a 180-degree turn according to Automotive News Europe (subscription required). Volkswagen is preparing to launch the ID.3’s base version, or the most affordable iteration. Orders are being accepted for the car now.
Volkswagen’s top-down roll-out seems like it will pay off given the ID.3’s immense success so far. It can easily be argued that the European market is more open to the idea of an EV however offering an interesting, technologically advanced electric alternative to a compact car or SUV, at a reasonable price, will inevitably attract buyers. Given that 6 out of the 10 best-selling vehicles in Canada in 2020 are compact SUVs and cars, there’s potential for volume.
Volkswagen ID.4 | Photo: Volkswagen
All we need now is the product. Volkswagen will soon launch the ID.4 electric SUV and many other manufacturers will join in including Chevrolet with the new Bolt EUV. In North America, we are still years away from an EV taking the top-seller spot. And when it does happen, expect that the #1 electric vehicle will be a pickup, and probably from Ford.
