Volkswagen ID. EV family to get familiar model names

Although Volkswagen has been rethinking its electrification strategy with a more cautious and balanced approach, it is nevertheless still moving in that direction and remains ready to step up when market conditions are more positive (with regards to EV adoption).

In the meantime, it is preparing for the time when its product range consists of only EVs. It has already been 7 years since it launched the ID. brand name (ID. refers to ‘advanced technologies and electric mobility’) to begin the company’s stand-alone all-electric product range.

Now it has implemented a new naming strategy that transfers the familiar designations of combustion-engine models to the ID. family. The first model to follow this convention will be the ID. Polo from 2026, which will be the model’s 50^th anniversary year.

The ID. Polo will be based on the ID. 2all concept unveiled in 2023 as a proposal for a low-cost EV. It is an ideal basis for the Polo, a core model which has always stood for quality, safety and democratisation of innovations.

“Our cars often accompany people for many years – they shape memories and stages of life. A model like the Polo shows just how powerful a name can be: it stands for reliability, personality and history. That’s precisely why we are again giving our ID. models names that arouse emotions and are anchored in people’s everyday lives. Electric mobility should not only be progressive, but also accessible and personal,” said Martin Sander, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales.

Volkswagen will transfer more established names to the electric portfolio with each new model generation. However, all models with conventional drives will continue to run under their previous names. With this strategy, Volkswagen is bringing together the electric and combustion engine worlds, helping customers navigate the brand’s product range more easily in the future.

The second future ID. model for the small car segment will evoke special emotions, Sander revealed. “We are bringing one of our strongest brands, the GTI, into the electric world. Also launching in 2026, the ID. GTI Concept model will go into production as the ID. Polo GTI. It will offer outstanding dynamics and plenty of driving pleasure,” he said.

The still-camouflaged ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI will make their first public appearance worldwide at the IAA MOBILITY in Munich this weekend. The day before, on 7 September, Volkswagen will unveil the concept vehicle for an electric compact SUV, the new ID. CROSS Concept, in a world premiere. The production version of this concept vehicle – the ID. Cross – will be launched at the end of 2026 as the electric counterpart to the T-Cross.

“Our model names are firmly anchored in people’s minds. They stand for a strong brand and embody characteristics such as quality, timeless design and technologies for all. That’s why we’re moving our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, Head of the Brand Group Core and member of the Group Board of Management.

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