The German newspaper Handelsblatt claims that the Golf assembly line could be moved from Germany to Mexico. Top management is discussing continuing production of petrol hatchbacks by analogy with the Beelte model. After 50 years at the main plant, assembly will be moved abroad. According to people familiar with the matter, the assembly of fuel-powered VW Golf cars is unlikely to remain in Wolfsburg, despite the model's history.
The final decision to move Volkswagen Golf production has not yet been made. The future of the model was to be decided at a meeting in November, but more important negotiations with unions about staff cuts and plant closures were on the agenda. At the same time, the problems of ICE cars have not disappeared: VW Golf margins are falling, including due to expensive labor.
Handelsblatt sources claim that the relocation of production from Germany has already been decided. However, various options are being considered: the conveyor could be moved not only to Mexico, but also to Poland. Volkswagen's updated plan does not exclude the production of fuel-powered Golfs until 2035, but the electric ID.Golf will be launched in 2028 and will replace its predecessor on the assembly line in Wolfsburg.
In addition to Wolfsburg, Volkswagen Golf hatchbacks are also assembled in China, but exports from this country are hampered by protective tariffs. If the German concern stops producing Golfs in Germany, then the trend of transferring the production of iconic models will continue. Recently, Passat began to be produced in Bratislava (Slovakia), and Polo moved to South Africa.