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Cars and TransportationGermany

Back to the future? Everything old is new again at VW

July 2, 2026

VW is badging its new EVs with the names of old favorites like the Polo, while partnering with XPeng and Rivian on tech. Will its rebrand work? And: Therapy on wheels — rollerblading in Abuja and drifting in Kyív.

https://p.dw.com/p/5FzqS

After Dieselgate dinged Volkswagen’s reputation, the carmaker quickly rebranded and embraced EVs. But changing consumer needs have left the company struggling. After its CARIAD software unit failed to deliver, Volkswagen entered into tech partnerships with American EV manufacturer Rivian and Chinese EV maker XPeng. With its "In China for China” strategy, VW aims to close the technology gap and regain ground in its most important market. In the US, Volkswagen’s hopes largely rest on Scout, a revived American off-road brand tailored to domestic tastes. With models like the ID.Polo, VW is also returning to its legacy of bringing mobility to the masses. Plus: How a Nigerian rollerblading crew creates community, and drifting helps a Ukrainian heal after almost a decade in Russian detention.

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REV — The Global Auto and Mobility Show

New thinking and technology are revolutionizing our cars, our cities, and our way of life. Rev not only wants to know how quickly we get from A to B, but also how we get there.