Cupra is ready to plug the gap in the U.S. market left for affordable cars with a sporty attitude. The firm says it’s bringing its livelier interpretations of VW’s sensible EVs to America by the end of the decade.
The VW-owned Seat offshoot confirmed today that it will have two electric crossover EVs on sale in the US market by 2030, at least one of which will be built in North America, a practical necessity if they want their cars not to lose out on EV tax credit eligibility (presuming the credits are still available by then).
“By the end of the decade Cupra will be entering the U.S. market,” announced CEO Wayne Griffiths. “We plan to launch with the battery electric version of the Formentor and a bigger electric crossover SUV. That [larger] crossover SUV will be produced at Volkswagen Group factories in the North America region, including Mexico.”
Though it will technically be possible to buy and drive a Cupra on American soil by 2030, you might have to travel a long way to get one initially, depending on where you live.
Related: Cupra Terramar SUV Is A Tiguan With Teeth, Debuts This Year
“Initially, Cupra will launch in selected states in the east and west coasts and the Sun Belt states,” Griffiths explained. “This will be done through a new distribution model.”
Cupra has expanded rapidly in Europe and has a busy few years ahead of it even before it starts to think about a North American adventure. This year it launches the Tavascan, the firm’s second all-electric vehicle, which is related to VW’s ID.5 and will be sold alongside the Born that’s been available in Europe since 2021.
Cupra will also unveil the Terramar, a new Audi Q3-sized SUV with a choice of mild- and plug-in hybrid engines, and debut facelifted versions of the Leon and Formentor. The Formentor will then be fully replaced before its U.S. debut to give it the electric powertrain Griffiths mentioned – a feature that isn’t and won’t be available during the current Formentor’s lifetime.
Looking further ahead, Cupra brings the production version of the 2022 UrbanRebel baby EV concept to market in 2025 as the Raval. However, there’s no suggestion it will be offered in the U.S. How do you rate Cupra’s chances of cracking the American market? Drop a comment below and let us know.
Spy shots of a facelifted current Formentor pictured below
