U.S VW Dealers Won’t Get Base Mk8 Golf Models

Volkswagen has told its dealerships across the United States that certain entry-level versions of the eighth-generation Golf will not be sold in the country.

Auto News reports that dealerships were informed of the move last week with confirmation that the Golf SportWagen model will be scrapped alongside a handful of base models. Dealerships were told that the performance-focused Golf GTI and Golf R will continue to be sold in the U.S. when the Mk8 models arrive.

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A source with knowledge of the matter claims that VW’s decision isn’t yet set in stone. The base Golf just so happens to be the best-selling car for Volkswagen in Canada and it’s reported that if Canadian dealerships can make a business case for keeping entry-level Golf models in showrooms, these models would likely also be offered in the United States as well.

Volkswagen is readying to unveil the all-new Golf later this year but if current plans to ditch base models in the U.S. go ahead, American buyers won’t have the opportunity to buy a new Golf until the new GTI and R arrive in late 2021 as 2022 models.

“Every automaker is reviewing its product lines right now to see where they could trim,” Autotrader executive analyst Michelle Krebs said about the company’s decision to cut down on Golf models. “It looks as though we’re heading into a downturn, and everyone is looking for ways to cut costs and move resources into new technologies as well. Everyone’s doing it, and especially the Europeans.”