Global sales drop in third quarter 2026

Volkswagen's global sales fell by 14.3% in the third quarter of 2026, with 1.89 million vehicles delivered worldwide, compared to the same period in 2025. This decline reflects a broader slowdown in the automotive industry during the year.

Electric vehicle sales vary by region

Fully electric models accounted for 240,200 units delivered by Volkswagen in the third quarter of 2026, a slight decrease from 252,100 units in the previous year. However, in Europe, electric vehicle demand continued to grow, with 209,100 units delivered, representing a 19.6% increase compared to 2025.

Top electric models and regional trends

The Skoda Elroq became the best-selling zero-emission model in the Volkswagen group in the first nine months of 2026, with 92,200 units sold. In contrast, electric vehicle sales in China and the United States declined, highlighting regional differences in market performance.

New small electric car initiative

To respond to rising demand in Europe, Volkswagen is launching a new line of small, affordable electric cars. These models include the Cupra Raval, Volkswagen ID.Polo, Skoda Epiq, and Volkswagen ID.Cross, and have already received nearly 150,000 pre-orders. They will debut together at the 2026 Paris Motor Show.

Technical details and production plans

The new electric vehicles are built on the MEB+ platform and use a new battery cell developed with PowerCo. They aim for a range of up to 450 km and have an expected starting price of around 25,000 euros. Most of these vehicles will be produced in Spain at the Martorell and Pampelune plants.

ID.Polo's role and early demand

The Volkswagen ID.Polo, a central model in this new lineup, is expected to offer a range of up to 450 km and fast charging capabilities. By the end of September 2026, Volkswagen had received 10,022 orders for the ID.Polo in France alone, with deliveries planned for autumn 2026.