As Volkswagen prepares to celebrate 75 year in Ireland, the VW Group of marques are in rude health with most posting record sales for 2024.
They’re hoping for an even stronger 2025, with a slew of new vehicles across all markets, including game changing PHEVs with electric ranges of over 100km and DC charging, making it feasible to top the battery up mid-journey.
Last year in Ireland, the group overall had a turnover of €1.2 billion, delivering 39,200 vehicles and taking 25% of the market.
Volkswagen BEV sales were slightly down on market share but interestingly, sales of ICE cars, petrol and diesel, took an increased market share.
Four out of five cars were bought on finance, usually PCP and 91% of customers’ cars are now connected to the cloud.
The first ID electric cars are now coming into second owners’ hands and the batteries are tending to still have 92-93% capacity, even after three years. We asked about repairing batteries and it seems a failed module can be replaced for around €1,000 with a full battery, only needing replacing in the event of a severe accident, coming in at anything up to €20,000.
A new Tayron SUV is on the way later this year, along with a new T-Roc and towards the end of 2025, we’ll see the electric ID.2all, the smallest ID car to date.
To celebrate Volkswagen’s 75 years in Ireland, there will be Edition 75 models across the VW range with extra equipment and Volkswagen have found the very first Beetle assembled in Ireland and will bring this unrestored example back into the country to help celebrate their milestone across 2025. The Beetle was the first to be assembled outside Germany and it was built in a former tram shed on Shelbourne Road, in Dublin. It’s powered by an 1,100cc engine producing just 25bhp. It was priced at £499.
Audi
Audi were the best selling premium brand last year and the newly introduced Q6 and A6 e-tron models will only help that along. There’s a new A5 in the offing too, the old A4 badge being replaced. The new A5, which was at the event on Monday, looks like a saloon but is in fact a hatchback. Its sleek exterior is complemented by Audi’s usual impeccably designed cabin.
A Q4 e-tron base model will also be introduced later this year, with a starting price from €48,000.
Also on the way is a new A7 Avant and Saloon, a Q3 SUV and Sportback, Q5 PHEV and Sportback and a new PHEV sports car, the RS5.
Škoda
Škoda posted a 20% increase in registrations last year and is now the third best selling car brand in Ireland. Part of that success was pushing HVO, an alternative and more environmentally sound way of fuelling diesel cars with HVO a direct, non-fossil replacement.
Both Superb and Kodiaq models will come with a PHEV option this year, with electric range of up to 130km while a number of new EVs will also launch, including the Elroq and a new Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé later in the year.
SEAT and Cupra
SEAT as a brand are also 75 years old this year and their performance brand, Cupra, is doing particularly well with the Formentor being its best seller.
SEAT will launch a PHEV Leon later this year, along with updated versions of the Arona and Ibiza.
Cupra will launch a new Terramar and an EV Tavascan, to join the existing Born in the electric range.
Volkwswagen Commercial
Finally, there’s a new version of the Transporter, VW’s iconic panel van, which will of course come in passenger Caravelle spec. There will also be an EV option to join the diesel offerings.
Orders for the new van are being taken now, with 4.9% APR on offer, together with a €1,000 discount to bring the monthly cost down to €519. Every van comes with five years’ warranty, servicing and roadside assistance.
Also joining the recently launched Crafter on the commercial fleet are new ID Buzz LWB 7 seater and GTX versions and an all-new California camper, for those who want to go off the beaten track.
