Louth Motors: Volkswagen recap 2024 and lay out plans for 2025 in Ireland

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Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

Volkswagen Group, comprising Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, CUPRA, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, recently invited us to their impressive Technical Centre on the Nangor Road in Dublin for a “state of the company” address.

We also learned that they will celebrate several milestones in 2025, including 130 years of the Skoda brand, 75 years of SEAT and 75 years of Volkswagen in Ireland.  All the brands under the umbrella of Volkswagen were present giving us a heads up on the year ahead. Volkswagen Group is the leading umbrella car brand in Ireland ahead of the likes of Toyota, Hyundai, Renault and Stellantis.

They proudly said that one in 4 EVs sold in Ireland last year was a Volkswagen Group car leading the way on the path to the total electrification of our national fleet.

This year Volkswagen Ireland will launch a number of models, including the Tayron SUV, the new T-ROC and, towards the end of the year, the electric ID.2all the most compact and affordable member of their ID. family to date. There'll also be a series of special edition “Edition 75” models expected to provide class leading specifications and serious value for money. 

Audi retained its crown as Ireland’s best-selling premium brand in 2024. A host of new arrivals will arrive over the next 12 months, starting with the all-electric A6 e-tron, the new A7 Avant & Saloon, the new A5 PHEV, the Q3 SUV and Sportback, Q5 PHEV, RS5 PHEV as well as a refreshed Q4 e-tron. 

Škoda shattered sales records in 2024 with a 20 per cent increase in registrations compared to 2023. This year we will see a number of next generation PHEV models like the Skoda Superb Combi iV and the Kodiaq iV and the new all electric Elroq this spring.

Both SEAT and CUPRA laid out the foundations for expansion in 2025 with the rollout of new dealerships across Ireland all ready for the launch of the new Leon PHEV 2.0 as well as the updated Arona and Ibiza. The CUPRA range will expand to five models when the Terramar and the all-electric Tavascan land.

In the commercial vehicle space Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles posted their highest volumes since 2019 with models like the Amarok, ID. Buzz and new Crafter. The new models coming include the seven-seat ID. Buzz LWB and GTX, the brand-new California camper and the highly anticipated stalwart, the Volkswagen Transporter, which will have an all-electric offering.

It would be safe to say that despite the noise and negativity swirling around VW at the moment they seem very ebullient and confident facing into 2025. They must retain their position as the number one group, increase sales and market share to deliver on that confidence. I would not bet against them doing exactly that.

It would be safe to say that despite the noise and negativity swirling around VW at the moment they seem very ebullient and confident facing into 2025. They must retain their position as the number one group, increase sales and market share to deliver on that confidence. I would not bet against them doing exactly that.