Do you miss the standard Volkswagen Golf? You’re not alone. Well, guess what? After leaving the North American market in 2021 so we could focus on the sportier and more expensive Golf GTI and Golf R, there’s a chance it may come back.
According to a report from German publication Handelsblatt, the automaker is considering a plan that would move Golf production out of the country—where labour costs are getting seriously out of hand—in an effort to cut expenses and improve profit margins. Poland is apparently a possible destination, but so is Mexico, as was the case with the seventh generation.
If the second option is indeed where things are going, it’s almost certain the popular Golf will once again be sold in the U.S.—notwithstanding President-elect Donald Trump’s 25-percent tariff threat—and Canada.
Photo: Volkswagen
When the regular Golf bowed out four years ago, Volkswagen immediately tried to replace it with the Taos, a small and affordable crossover. However, following a mid-cycle update for 2025, the Taos now starts at $29,795 (plus $2,100 freight and PDI), an increase of $2,400 from 2024.
As it turns out, a lot of people are still looking for cheap transportation in the current economy. Look no further than the Jetta as evidence. Sales of the compact sedan in the U.S. were up 76 percent in the first half of the year and 35 percent in the third quarter. In Canada, they were 56 percent higher after three quarters.
The Jetta and Taos are both manufactured in Puebla, Mexico. Adding the Golf would not only be fairly easy but also a logical move. Many components could be shared, including the turbocharged 1.5-litre engine and eight-speed transmission, while labour costs are significantly lower than in Germany.
Photo: Volkswagen
Yes, Volkswagen is working on an electric Golf to be launched in the second half of the decade, but the current, gas-powered Golf models may survive until 2035, one of its engineers recently hinted, thus adding viability to the Mexican option. To be clear, though, production of the Golf GTI and Golf R will continue to take place in Wolfsburg, Germany.