Latest news with #MartinSander
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen Will Use Real Names Again, and These Were Some of the Best
Volkswagen is now admitting its mistakes with the naming of its line of EVs. The ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7 aren't the worst we've seen, but the and ID.2all are just plain weird and utterly forgettable. It's too easy to forget what kind of vehicle goes with what name. Seriously, why couldn't Volkswagen call its electric minivan the Westfalia or something similar from its past? It has a retro style, so give it a name that's evocative, not strange. Now, the brand wants to pivot by returning to proper names, the kind that many brands abandoned over the past few decades. The guilty parties are the brands that have employed alpha-numeric model names in place of names with character, having copied the Germans' methodology. Car companies wanted to be viewed as cultured and sophisticated like the Europeans, but almost nothing dilutes a car's personality like getting rid of a proper name. Acura used to have great names like the Legend and the Integra (thankfully, it's back now), but moved to meaningless names like RL, CL, TL, et al. Mazda eliminated names like Tribute and Millenia in favor of 626, 6, CX-5, CX-9, and so on. Cadillac used to have the DeVille, the Eldorado, and even the Allante. Okay, so we don't miss the Cimarron or the Catera, but at least we remember what those cars looked like. Thankfully, it still has the Escalade. When Lexus and Infiniti emerged as luxury sub-brands, they went right to alpha-numeric names without hesitating. The LS, SC, RX, and ES were born, and Infiniti's Q, J, QX, FX, and M names weren't much better. When Genesis hit the scene decades later, it did the same with its G80, then G70, G90, GV70, GV80, and the electric GV60. Then, there are just plain confusing ones that don't roll off the tongue. The BMW X5 sounds fine, but transmogrify it into the BMW X5 sDrive40i? Really? Enough already with all the letters and numbers. How about a real name? We love it when automakers do the right kind of course correction, and we get that naming vehicles presents challenges. Model names should be unique and evoke the brand identity well, but that doesn't mean the results are always worthy of respect. According to Volkswagen, 'ID' stands for 'Intelligent design, identity and visionary technologies'. Snooze. Where's the passion? The 'ID.' style naming convention isn't widespread across VW's stable, but it dominates its EVs. The brand still has the Golf, Jetta, Taos, Tiguan, and Atlas (no one misses names like the hard-to-pronounce Touareg or the tepidly labeled Passat), but it recognizes that the ID. vehicles lack some naming verve. VW's head of marketing and sales, Martin Sander, stated to the German publication Auto Und Wirtschaft: "The cars will get proper names again. Neither the ID. 2all nor the ID. Every1 will have those names in series production. We'll announce that when the time comes." What the revised EV names will be is unknown, but we know that the current ones really need to go. You can't just slap an "ID" and a "." along with goofy made-up words tacked on in hopes that customers will know what they are. They sure won't go down in history as great car names. Here are some of the best names from Volkswagen's illustrious past that we think should make a resurgence. The Rabbit name never should've disappeared. It was used for the first generation of the North American Golf, and was cute and memorable, more than even the iconic Golf. It was boxy-handsome, fun to toss, and very affordable. VW would earn the praise of just about everyone if it brought back the name. Of course, the Golf "Rabbit" is perfect for the upcoming ID. Every1. The Scirocco (shir-ROC-o) is probably the best name VW ever came up with. It comes directly from a Mediterranean wind, and boy, does it sound cool. Also known as the Type 53, the two-door, front-wheel drive hatchback was meant to be a successor to the Karmann Ghia coupe and a sportier alternative to the more economical Golf. Please, VW, put it on the ID. CODE and bring that China-only EV here. The name alone would make it sell. The Corrado was the successor to the Scirocco, but it didn't last long in the United States. It briefly sold next to the outgoing Scirocco, but its price and limited practicality prevented wider appeal. Its last year stateside was 1994, and the two-door, front-wheel drive hatchback never had a successor. The name came from the Spanish verb "correr" (to sprint), and boy, did it leave quickly. The Corrado name would be a great replacement for the ID. CROZZ 2-door electric crossover. Ok, so we're not 100% behind this one, but hear us out. The originally military-use vehicle isn't pretty by any means, but the name is totally memorable. Otherwise known as the Volkswagen Type 181, it was originally created as a semi-amphibious vehicle for the West German Army. We don't doubt that any modern Volkswagen would look prettier than this boxy SUV inspired by cardboard boxes, but we could definitely see a boxy Jeep-style electric SUV with the "Thing" name slapped on it. It would be perfect if the ID. LIFE concept was brought to life. We get that the future of automotive is electric, but that doesn't mean VW's EV names have to suck. Finally, someone higher up in the Volkswagen ranks is talking sense, and maybe other automakers will follow suit. Is it marketing suicide to change names midstream? Not necessarily. It could be risky, but it's been done before. VW would be making a smart move, in our opinion, and properly done names could make their vehicles more easily identifiable and memorable. Volkswagen Will Use Real Names Again, and These Were Some of the Best first appeared on Autoblog on May 28, 2025
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Volkswagen Will Use Real Names Again, and These Were Some of the Best
Volkswagen is now admitting its mistakes with the naming of its line of EVs. The ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7 aren't the worst we've seen, but the and ID.2all are just plain weird and utterly forgettable. It's too easy to forget what kind of vehicle goes with what name. Seriously, why couldn't Volkswagen just call its electric minivan the Westfallia or something similar from its past? It has a retro style, so give it a name that's evocative, not strange. Now, the brand wants to pivot by returning to proper names, the kind that many brands abandoned over the past few decades. The guilty parties are the brands that have employed alpha-numeric model names in place of names with character, having copied the Germans' methodology. Car companies wanted to be viewed as cultured and sophisticated like the Europeans, but almost nothing dilutes a car's personality like getting rid of a proper name. Acura used to have great names like the Legend and the Integra (thankfully, it's back now), but moved to meaningless names like RL, CL, TL, et al. Mazda eliminated names like Tribute and Millenia in favor of 626, 6, CX-5, CX-9, and so on. Cadillac used to have the DeVille, the Eldorado, and even the Allante. Okay, so we don't miss the Cimarron or the Catera, but at least we remember what those cars looked like. Thankfully, it still has the Escalade When Lexus and Infiniti emerged as luxury sub-brands, they went right to alpha-numeric names without hesitating. The LS, SC, RX, and ES were born, and Infiniti's Q, J, QX, FX, and M names weren't much better. When Genesis hit the scene decades later, it did the same with its G80, then G70, G90, GV70, GV80, and the electric GV60. Then, there are just plain confusing ones that don't roll off the tongue. The BMW X5 sounds fine, but transmogrify it into the BMW X5 sDrive40i? Really? Enough already with all the letters and numbers. How about a real name? We love it when automakers do the right kind of course correction, and we get that naming vehicles presents challenges. Model names should be unique and evoke the brand identity well, but that doesn't mean the results are always worthy of respect. According to Volkswagen, 'ID' stands for "Intelligent design, identity and visionary technologies". Snooze. Where's the passion? The "ID." style naming convention isn't widespread across VW's stable, but it dominates its EVs. The brand still has the Golf, Jetta, Taos, Tiguan, and Atlas (no one misses names like the hard-to-pronounce Touareg or the tepidly labeled Passat), but it recognizes that the ID. vehicles lack some naming verve. VW's head of marketing and sales, Martin Sander, stated to the German publication Auto Und Wirtschaft: "The cars will get proper names again. Neither the ID. 2all nor the ID. Every1 will have those names in series production. We'll announce that when the time comes." What the revised EV names will be is unknown, but we know that the current ones really need to go. You can't just slap an "ID" and a "." along with goofy made-up words tacked on in hopes that customers will know what they are. They sure won't go down in history as great car names. Here are some of the best names from Volkswagen's illustrious past that we think should make a resurgence. "Rabbit" (1975 - 1984) should replace the "ID. Every1" The Rabbit name never should've disappeared. It was used for the first generation of the North American Golf, and was cute and memorable, more than even the iconic Golf. It was boxy-handsome, fun to toss, and very affordable. VW would earn the praise of just about everyone if it brought back the name. Of course, the Golf "Rabbit" is perfect for the upcoming ID. Every1. "Scirocco" (1974–1992) should replace the "ID. CODE" The Scirocco (shir-ROC-o) is probably the best name VW ever came up with. It comes directly from a Mediterranean wind, and boy, does it sound cool. Also known as the Type 53, the two-door, front-wheel drive hatchback was meant to be a successor to the Karmann Ghia coupe and a sportier alternative to the more economical Golf. Please, VW, put it on the ID. CODE and bring that China-only EV here. The name alone would make it sell. "Corrado" (1988-1995) should replace the "ID. CROZZ" The Corrado was the successor to the Scirocco, but it didn't last long in the United States. It briefly sold next to the outgoing Scirocco, but its price and limited practicality prevented wider appeal. Its last year stateside was 1994, and the two-door, front-wheel drive hatchback never had a successor. The name came from the Spanish verb "correr" (to sprint), and boy, did it leave quickly. The Corrado name would be a great replacement for the ID. CROZZ 2-door electric crossover. "Thing" (1968–1983) should replace the "ID. LIFE" Ok, so we're not 100% behind this one, but hear us out. The originally military-use vehicle isn't pretty by any means, but the name is totally memorable. Otherwise known as the Volkswagen Type 181, it was originally created as a semi-amphibious vehicle for the West German Army. We don't doubt that any modern Volkswagen would look prettier than this boxy SUV inspired by cardboard boxes, but we could definitely see a boxy Jeep-style electric SUV with the "Thing" name slapped on it. It would be perfect if the ID. LIFE concept was brought to life. We get that the future of automotive is electric, but that doesn't mean VW's EV names have to suck. Finally, someone higher up in the Volkswagen ranks is talking sense, and maybe other automakers will follow suit. Is it marketing suicide to change names midstream? Not necessarily. It could be risky, but it's been done before. VW would be making a smart move, in our opinion, and properly done names could make their vehicles more easily identifiable and memorable. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ArabGT
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
VW ID Dropped in Favor of Traditional Names for EVs
Volkswagen is officially retiring the VW ID naming strategy, marking a pivotal change in its approach to electric vehicles. This shift signals the brand's intent to move away from sterile alphanumeric codes and embrace the emotional pull of traditional model names that resonate with drivers. The VW ID lineup, launched in 2017 with the ID.3 concept, once symbolized the company's electric future. It quickly expanded to include models like the ID.4, ID.5, ID.6 (exclusive to China), ID.7, and the nostalgic ID. Buzz. But despite the initial momentum, VW is now reevaluating its strategy. According to Martin Sander, a Volkswagen Board Member overseeing Sales, Marketing, and After Sales, the company plans to drop the VW ID names in upcoming production vehicles—starting with the ID.2all and concepts, which will adopt different monikers when they launch. Sander confirmed, 'The cars will get proper names again,' hinting at a return to the kind of iconic labels that helped define Volkswagen's history—like Golf, Polo, and Beetle. This reversal mirrors moves by other automakers. Audi abandoned its plan to organize EVs by even numbers, BMW now reserves the 'i' for electric models only, and Toyota simplified its cumbersome bZ4X to simply 'bZ.' Across the industry, the trend is clear: consumers want clarity and familiarity, not abstract codes. For VW, retiring the VW ID nameplate isn't just about branding—it's a strategic reset. Future electric vehicles, such as the ID.2 slated for 2026, may reintroduce names like Polo in honor of its 50th anniversary. The ID.1, expected in 2027, could see a revival of classic names like Lupo, Fox, or Up!. Meanwhile, development continues on an all-electric Golf and T-Roc SUV, both of which could carry their legacy names into the EV era. VW is also using this transition to update its current lineup. A comprehensive facelift for the VW ID models is planned for 2026, coinciding with the naming overhaul. The challenge lies in clearly differentiating these next-gen EVs from their combustion counterparts, which will continue for several years. Despite the naming shift, VW ID models are still driving strong sales. The ID.3 remains in high demand, while the ID.7 has already surpassed the Passat in European markets. In the U.S., the retro-styled ID. Buzz is gaining traction and cultural relevance. Looking ahead, the upcoming ID.2all and around €25,000 and €20,000 respectively—aim to deliver affordable EV options as battery costs decline and new production efficiencies take hold. China poses another key battleground for the VW ID strategy. Models like the ID.7 face intense competition from low-cost local brands. However, VW remains focused on sustainable growth rather than quick wins, planning to launch a new wave of China-specific EVs in 2026 while gradually hybridizing its combustion lineup. By phasing out the VW ID name and embracing classic badges, Volkswagen is leaning into its heritage while refining its EV identity. It's a calculated move to strengthen emotional ties with consumers and simplify its electric transition in an increasingly crowded market.
Auto Express
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return
When Ford announced that it was culling its beloved – and big-selling – Fiesta supermini back in 2023, the news caused shock and surprise. However, only a couple of years after its demise, a new Ford Fiesta could be on the cards, and this time it's likely to be an electric car. Advertisement - Article continues below As Ford continues its partnership with Volkswagen, the two brands are said to be exploring new projects following on from their joint success with the Ford Explorer and Capri, both of which share their underpinnings with the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5. While we're yet to hear any official announcements regarding a new Fiesta, Volkswagen's head of sales and marketing, Martin Sander, exclusively told Auto Express that he considered Ford and VW's original electric car tie-up to be 'very, very, very successful' and that he did 'not want to rule out that there are future opportunities here to share technology again'. This statement opens up the possibility of a whole new breed of small Ford EVs. And given the brand's willingness to resurrect past monikers, a fresh Fiesta is clearly an obvious choice. While this new model is only hypothetical for the moment, the partnership with VW should give Ford access to the incoming shortened MEB Entry platform that's set to underpin the VW ID.1 and ID.2. If Ford were to use this for a new Fiesta, doing so could see the reborn supermini return around 280 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle and offer DC fast-charging speeds of up to 125kW – the same figures as the incoming ID.2. VW is also planning to offer the ID.2 with the choice of a 38kWh or 56kWh battery packs – which could be mirrored by Ford. Design-wise, expect a clean, blanked-off front end and a sharp LED daytime running-light signature – possibly including a full-width lightbar. Aero wheels are all but a given, increasing in size for the inevitable ST-Line versions that will join the range later. We don't expect Ford (or Volkswagen) to offer a three-door bodystyle; both cars will be five-door only. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The firm dismissed the idea of putting a Fiesta-shaped top hat on its new Puma Gen-E running gear, suggesting that doing so would all but erode the already tight margins – especially when throwing third-party suppliers into the mix. It's worth noting that Ford also has its California-based Skunkworks team, which has been tasked with developing a 'new affordable electric vehicle platform' referenced in communications made public last summer. However, the project appears, at least initially, to be focusing on a medium-sized pick-up – hinting anything as small as a Fiesta may prove a stretch too far. We should get clarity on Ford's passenger-car line-up and future EV strategy in the coming months. The initial agreement Volkswagen came to with Ford was, according to Sander, 'an opportunity for [VW] to scale even more than we can, on the basis of the size of our business' – something that could, in theory, be repeated with a second round of smaller, more efficient family cars. Ford is heading into a potentially pivotal period as it plots its European future; the Puma remains a big seller, yet with a starting price of more than £26,500, it's not the affordable entry-point it once was. But as its maker has hinted previously – by removing first the Fiesta and soon the Focus from sale – it has become increasingly difficult to make money on city cars and traditional family hatchbacks. While Ford refused to confirm whether talks were on the horizon, it said: '[Ford] is confident in its ability to compete in the right segments' – implying it'd keep an eye on market trends and invest as appropriate. Of course, if such a model did see the light of day, its proportions would likely mirror that of the production-ready ID.2 – reflected here in our exclusive image. The outgoing Fiesta was 4,068mm long – just 18mm longer than the ID.2all concept. The VW's wider stance and low-mounted battery should give the Fiesta that typical dynamic character present in all modern-day Fords. If a new Ford Fiesta does share its underpinnings with the new Volkswagen ID.2, there's a real possibility that a hot version could also make an appearance in the line-up. VW's ID. GTI Concept has already showcased the performance capability of the MEB Entry platform, as well as the German brand's willingness to create a sporty electric supermini. The ID. GTI Concept produces 220bhp and reaches 0-62mph in under seven seconds on paper, and these figures wouldn't be out of place in a small fast Ford. If demand is high enough and the brands are willing to share, this tech could well appear in a new Ford Fiesta ST (or similar). Used Ford Fiesta deals Come and join our WhatsApp channel for the latest car news and reviews... Find a car with the experts Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It's our Deal of the Day for 14 May Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy Thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle? Here are the EVs that should be on your shortlist, and why… Best cars & vans 14 May 2025
Motor 1
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Volkswagen Will Start Using 'Proper' Names Again
Volkswagen has fallen into that trap that so many automakers do: Slapping some numerals onto the backside of a vague set of letters and calling it a day—like the ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7. Granted, the company still has plenty of standard names in its lineup, especially in the US—the Taos, the Tiguan, etc.—but we could see even more traditional names return in the next few years. VW's head of marketing and sales, Martin Sander, told the German publication Auto Und Wirtschaft that traditional names will make a comeback, as opposed to clunky alpha-numerics. 2025 Volkswagen Photo by: DW Burnett / Motor1 "The cars will get proper names again," said Sander. "Neither the ID.2all nor the will have those names in series production. We'll announce that when the time comes." That's good news for a brand that, historically, has had some of the best car names in the business—Beetle, Golf, Thing, and so on. It's still unclear if the "ID" moniker will stick around for VW's electric models, but it sounds like the confusing nameplate could potentially be on the way out. We've seen other companies change their naming strategies recently, including those underneath the Volkswagen Group umbrella. Audi attempted to revamp its nameplates by making its even-numbered cars electric (A4, A6) and its odd-numbered cars gas-powered (A5, A7). But, the company has since reversed course and reverted to using "E-Tron" for its EVs and "TFSI" for its gas cars. Photo by: DW Burnett / Motor1 BMW is implementing a similar strategy by removing the letter "i" from all of its gas-powered cars and using it exclusively for its EVs—i4, i7. Toyota even recently changed the name of one of the worst-named EVs on the market, the bZ4X, to simply "bZ." VW appears to be the next company in line for a major name change. And we'd welcome it. The Latest From Volkswagen The Electric Volkswagen Golf GTI Will Be a 'Monster' Volkswagen Could Launch an Electric GTI Next Year Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Auto Und Wirtschaft Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
