VW Changes Its Mind and Announces Hybrid Vehicles are In Its Future

"It's a reversal from one year ago," admitted Rabe, adding that "we will definitely introduce hybrid vehicles in the

"We will definitely introduce hybrid vehicles in the future," stated Matthias Rabe, director of research for the VW Group. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

future. We have to consider whether to do it with gasoline or with diesel engines."

Will VW be the first European to sell HEVs when it does? That remains to be seen, but it certainly wasn't the first to show a concept of such. Mercedes-Benz has shown a variety of prototype HEVs over the years, starting in 1999 with its rear-wheel drive S-Class hybrid, followed up by the M-Class HYPER, which used a 2.7-liter common-rail diesel along with an electric motor. Ahead of its time for sure, but the fact Mercedes-Benz chose not to develop an HEV powertrain for production speaks volumes of its previous, if not current biases.

Volkswagen entered a total of four cars in the Shanghai event, including the Bora (Jetta) TDI, which is produced in China, and the extremely economical Lupo 3L TDI, both current production cars. Joining the Golf ECO.Power in the non-production concept category was the Touran HyMotion, a hydrogen fuel cell powered minivan. A total of 112 vehicles competed in nine categories, allowing the jury to not only assess a particular

While Volkswagen may end up being the first European company to sell a HEV, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a S-Class hybrid concept back in 1999. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada)

vehicle's environmental benefits including low fuel consumption, but also a car's driving characteristics, comfort, safety and noise pollution.

Volkswagen seems smart to be jumping on the HEV bandwagon despite having previously said it wouldn't, and despite entering very late in the game. According to a Booz Allen Hamilton study just released, hybrid powertrains could make up 20 percent of all cars sold by 2010. How does it arrive at its figures? The study states that high gasoline prices are starting to make the $3,000 to $5,000 price penalty of going hybrid justifiable. The study added that, if consumers accept the new technology as quickly as they did airbags and ABS brakes, the numbers could reach 80 percent by as soon as 2015.