VW stops Touareg production: The end of an era in the premium segment!

VW stops Touareg production: The end of an era in the premium segment!

Volkswagen is facing a decisive turning point: According to recent reports, the automotive giant plans to stop production of the popular Touareg premium SUV from 2026. This decision would mean the end of premium vehicles at VW and mark the end of an era for the model introduced in 2002, which was developed parallel to the Porsche Cayenne and has been in its third generation since 2018. Here we have a product that was sold over 212,000 times in Germany and paved the way for VW into the premium segment. But the signs point to farewell, because the high development costs of complying with the Euro 7 emissions standard, which is due to come into force at the end of 2027, appear to have had a significant influence on the decision. This information comes from Mercury.

Shall we take a look at the numbers? In the first seven months of 2025, only 3,989 Touaregs were registered in Germany. That is significantly fewer than the 13,877 registrations of the cheaper Tayron, which has been rolling off the production line in Wolfsburg since 2024. As an SUV based on the MQB Evo platform, this offers several advantages in terms of price and space. While the Touareg is available from 73,765 euros, the Tayron starts at 45,475 euros. Another aspect that should not be neglected in the current consideration: The Touareg has the same high-profile neighbors, as it shares its platform with the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and even the Bentley Bentayga.

The future of SUVs at VW

What does this mean for VW's strategy? According to reports, the Tayron is emerging as a worthy successor to the Tiguan Allspace and could soon be advisable as a new preference in the SUV segment. The decision to rely on cheaper models could also be related to the challenges of the Euro 7 standard. This new standard, which will apply to all vehicle types from July 2025, requires expensive adjustments that VW apparently does not see as profitable. In this context, it is important to highlight the concerns of the European automotive industry, which considers the Euro 7 regime to be too costly and difficult to implement. Ecomento brings these challenges clearly to the point when it says that the decision against a new edition of the Touareg seems to be part of a larger strategy.

In recent months there has also been speculation about the future of the ID.5, which could probably also die as a model without a facelift. Well, with the end of the Touareg, Volkswagen could set the course for new, electrically powered models. The plans of other brands are also getting exciting: Audi is planning a new platform for the Q7 in order to remain competitive. Car Motor and Sport highlights how Volkswagen deals with the Euro 7 standard. The challenge of meeting these requirements in a timely manner could be crucial, especially in the transition to electric vehicles.

The automotive industry is going through a period of change, centered on the costs of complying with environmental regulations and adapting to new market conditions. While VW is now wrestling at the interface between tradition and innovation, it remains to be seen how the coming decisions will shape the corporate landscape.