Motor1 reports that Volkswagen plans to unveil the ninth-generation Golf in 2029, with the model shifting to full electric propulsion. The move signals a bold step for VW as it embraces an all-electric future in a compact hatch segment that has long been popular in Europe and North America.
According to the same reports, the upcoming Golf is expected to ride on a software-defined platform known as SSP, short for Scalable Systems Platform. This architecture is meant to support sophisticated propulsion, connectivity, and software features across multiple models. In this scenario, VW could position the electric Golf as a flagship for the brand’s electrified compact class, even as other trims evolve. The electric Golf could replace the similarly sized ID.3 in the lineup, though a 2026 refresh is planned before any such transition takes full effect.
Developers are said not to plan to drop the internal combustion option entirely. VW is believed to envision a future where the current eighth-generation Golf remains in production alongside the new electric version, provided European environmental standards permit.
On the business side, reports touch on a potential stake sale involving Shanghai state-owned companies and a company based in China’s Xinjiang region. The exact value of the transaction was not disclosed. The same facility in Shanghai is noted for previously assembling Santana models.
In Russia, AvtoVAZ has started sales of its most expensive model, signaling continued activity in the regional market and demand for premium features amid evolving consumer preferences.
Taken together, these moves underscore VW’s broader electrification push across major markets, including Canada and the United States, as North American buyers increasingly seek compact electric options and connected tech from popular brands.
Analysts see the SSP platform as central to VW’s product roadmap, enabling scalable software ecosystems, quicker updates, and deeper integration with future driver-assistance and potential autonomous features as the auto industry becomes more connected.