Volkswagen Revives Iconic Names with New EV Strategy

Volkswagen has confirmed a major change in its electric vehicle strategy. The company will move away from purely alphanumeric model names such as ID.2 or ID.3 and return to familiar, heritage-inspired names. The first example is the ID. Polo, which evolves from the ID.2all show car. The production model is scheduled for 2026 and will act as an affordable entry point to the Volkswagen electric line-up.

Anchored in Legacy

According to Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer, the decision reflects the importance of long-standing model names in public memory. Names such as Polo, Golf and Passat are recognised worldwide and carry associations of reliability, timeless design and accessibility. By attaching these names to electric vehicles, Volkswagen hopes to make the transition to new technologies easier for customers while maintaining trust in the brand.

The naming distinction will also help avoid confusion. Traditional combustion engine models will retain their current names, while EVs will be introduced with the ID. prefix followed by a heritage model name.

Polo and Polo GTI Lead the Way

The ID. Polo will debut in production form in 2026. Alongside it, Volkswagen will introduce the ID. Polo GTI, reviving one of the brand’s most famous performance badges in an all-electric format. Both models are set to appear publicly in camouflaged form at the IAA Mobility show in Munich in September 2025.

Expansion Beyond Polo

The new approach is not limited to a single model. Industry reports suggest that Volkswagen will apply the same formula across its electric portfolio. This could see the ID. Golf replace the ID.3, while models such as the Tiguan and Passat could also transition into electric form with familiar names.

Market and Consumer Impact

The ID. Polo is expected to launch below €25,000, making it one of Volkswagen’s most competitively priced EVs. The company’s strategy is clear: leverage name recognition to expand electric adoption while positioning affordable models at the centre of its offering.

For buyers, the move simplifies the EV range. Instead of navigating new alphanumeric designations, customers can connect with names they already know. For Volkswagen, it is both a marketing advantage and a cultural bridge between past and future.

Key Facts: Volkswagen’s New Naming Strategy

Focus Area	Details
First model	ID. Polo (formerly ID.2all), launching in 2026
Performance version	ID. Polo GTI
Future models	Likely ID. Golf, ID. Tiguan, ID. Passat
Rationale	Build trust with familiar names, simplify product recognition
Price expectation	Below €25,000 for the ID. Polo

Volkswagen’s decision to return to its most iconic names marks a strategic and cultural pivot. By combining its heritage with the electric future, the brand is aiming to make EVs feel not only modern and innovative but also familiar and reassuring.