VW is reshaping its European lineup. The Passat will no longer be built as a sedan in the current year; the headline shift is that dealers will only offer the Passat as a station wagon in Europe. The comment came from Thomas Schaefer, conveyed through Automotive News Europe, outlining a broader strategy to focus on practical family models and higher-margin variants rather than traditional four-door sedans.
Looking ahead, Volkswagen expects the first deliveries of the new generation Passat to begin in September this year. The company also plans to bring the Skoda Superb to market by year-end. Both vehicles are set to roll out from the Volkswagen Group’s Bratislava plant, a site that continues to anchor multiple model programs for the group. The Superb will be available in both a station wagon and a hatchback configuration, expanding choices for buyers who want flexibility and comfort in a single, well-equipped package.
In its class, the Passat has long been a leading seller in Europe, achieving about 66.6 thousand units last year. However, overall demand in the segment declined by 20 percent versus 2021, reflecting broader shifts in consumer preferences, tighter fleet budgets, and competition from newer mid-size offerings. The brand’s messaging around the Passat emphasizes efficiency, practicality, and a modern design language that resonates with European families who prioritize cargo capacity and highway manners over a traditional sedan form factor.
Separately, market chatter has linked several U.S. automakers to major production changes. For instance, Chevrolet had previously been reported to end Camaro production in 2024, marking a notable move in the American market toward evolving muscle and sports car expectations.