The newly-formed Volkswagen Brand Board of Management has made a number of major strategic product decisions for the brand. These include a reorientation of the diesel strategy to use the most advanced emission aftertreatment technologies; the development of a standardized electric architecture (Modular Electric Toolkit, Modular Transverse Toolkit) for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and an electric next-generation Phaeton model. VW also plans to cut spending by about a billion Euros per year and accelerate its efficiency program.
For diesel, VW plans to dump its NOx traps altogether and focus on AdBlue aftertreatment and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.
VW also plans to further focus on the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB) and Modular Electric Toolkit (MEB) for platform development going forward. These kits utilize modularized components that can be freely interchanged for maximum flexibility in inter-vehicle design and component acquisitions. This makes the entire production process more efficient and simplifies many portions of the design process moving forward.
Finally, the Volkswagen Phaeton will see a new generation model that features an electrified drivetrain. The Phaeton is to be redesigned as an electric vehicle, though whether that’s battery-electric, plug-in hybrid-electric, or fuel cell electric has not been specified. It will be capable of going long distances and will feature the latest in connectivity and next-generation driver assistance systems.
