This story has been updated with the official confirmation of VW Up’s end-of-production (10/11).
Volkswagen announced it will end production of the Up city car in the fourth quarter of 2023, a full 12 years after its debut. The discontinued entry-level model in VW’s European lineup is expected to be replaced by the fully electric ID.1 although this won’t arrive before 2026.
As reported by Autocar, Volkswagen issued the following statement: “Production of the Up and the e-Up at the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava will come to an end in the fourth quarter. Therefore individual configuration of the vehicle (on the UK and German websites) will no longer be possible. Customers can still contact their local Volkswagen retailer for information about pre-configured cars remaining in stock.”
A few days ago, the UK publication reported that the last example of the Up had already rolled out of the production line in Slovakia. A quick tour of VW’s official websites reveals that the Up is still available in various European markets including Germany, Italy, and France, at least for as long as the remaining stock lasts. The model was on and off sale for some time due to supply issues and the relatively high demand.
More: The VW Up! GTI Is Dead
The ICE-powered VW Up currently starts from €14,555 ($15,349) in Germany, although it has gotten significantly more expensive in other markets like France where it starts from €19,400 ($20,468). Indicative of the market change in the past decade is that the starting price of the VW Up in the UK increased from as low as £7,995 ($9,765) back in 2011, to over £15,000 ($18,320) in 2023.
The forthcoming demise of the Up means that VW’s smallest and cheapest offering in Europe will now be the Polo supermini. However, there is a replacement on the horizon, in the form of an “all-electric SUV for the high-volume A-segment” that will enter production in 2026. With a targeted starting price below €20,000 ($21,089), the rumored VW ID.1 will be the cheapest offering in VW’s range, positioned under the ID.2.
12 Years Of Urban Adventures
The VW Up was originally introduced in 2011 as a successor of the forgettable Fox, with a mid-lifecycle update following in 2016. On the other hand, the fully electric e-Up debuted in 2014 and got facelifted in 2019 receiving a significantly larger battery pack for a longer range. The most powerful version of the city car was the discontinued VW Up GTi with 114 hp (85 kW / 115 PS) from a turbocharged 1.0-liter engine that was exclusively mated to a 6-speed manual. Other notable versions include the adventurous-looking Cross Up and the CNG-powered eco Up.
The VW Up is one of the VW Group’s triplets for the A-Segment, alongside the closely related Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii which shared the same underpinnings, interior, and most of their exterior. The little Volkswagen is the last surviving member of the pack since the Skoda and the Seat ended production in 2020.
