Volkswagen Delivers 150-Millionth Car … & It’s A PHEV

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Turid Sedahl Knutsen took delivery of the 150 millionth Volkswagen, a Golf GTE, in Lier. Courtesy Volkwagen

Volkswagen recently delivered its 150-millionth car to a customer in Norway, and interestingly, it was a plug-in hybrid — the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, to be exact.

While the decision to make the landmark delivery a plug-in electric vehicle of some kind was no doubt quite intentional (for PR reasons), it still makes for an interesting bit of new s… though I remain skeptical that Volkswagen is in any hurry to fully embrace electric vehicles (EVs).

The Head of Sales in Europe at the Volkswagen brand, Dr Wolf-Stefan Specht, commented on the news: “The 150 millionth Volkswagen symbolizes the brand’s long tradition. At the same time, the Golf GTE plug-in hybrid offers a glimpse of the future of mobility at Volkswagen. That is why we are delighted the GTE has been delivered to a customer in Norway, the frontrunner for e-mobility in Europe.”

As did the owner of the new Volkswagen Golf plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in question, Turid Sedahl Knutsen: “It’s great the Golf GTE gives customers a climate-friendly choice. Not only that, it’s very sporty and great fun to drive, too. I’m thrilled with the new technology.”

The press release provides more: “The 150 millionth Volkswagen is now driving along the roads in Norway: the anniversary vehicle — a Golf GTE — left the assembly line at the main plant in Wolfsburg in August. Now, Volkswagen has delivered the car to a customer in the town of Lier not far from the Norwegian capital Oslo.

“… Knutsen can now enjoy an all-electric commute. On longer journeys, for example when she goes on vacation, the thrifty TSI engine extends the range. For Knutsen, this is already her sixth Golf — and she has also owned two Passat, a Polo and a Caravelle.”

It’s probably also worth noting that the delivery was made to a customer in Norway — not surprising at all considering that Norway is now the third-largest plug-in electric vehicle market in the world, despite being a tiny country by population, and thus clearly has the largest EV market share in the world. The only countries with larger electric vehicle markets are China and the US.

Related: Tesla = #1 And #3 In Near-Record Month (Europe Electric Car Sales)


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James Ayre

James Ayre's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy.

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