“Volkswagen” means “people’s car.” This brand has survived war, oil crises, “dieselgate,” and now stands at the brink of the biggest transition — from internal combustion engines to electricity and autonomous driving. What will Volkswagen look like in 10-20 years? Can it maintain its “people’s” status or become a niche producer for the wealthy? We analyze strategies, technologies, and forecasts. Full Transition to Electricity By 2030, Volkswagen plans for 80% of sales in Europe to be electric vehicles. The ID family (ID.3, ID.4, ID. Buzz) has already expanded. In 2026, the ID.2 — a budget electric car priced around 25,000 euros — will be released. This is an attempt to regain the title of “people’s.” Unlike the expensive ID.3, the new model will get a simpler finish but a modern battery. By 2035, VW will completely cease production of ICE vehicles in Europe (except for commercial vehicles). The transition in China and the US will be more gradual. Next-generation Batteries Volkswagen is investing billions in solid-state batteries (solid-state). The joint venture with QuantumScape promises batteries that charge to 80% in 12 minutes and do not explode upon impact. The first series solid-state batteries will appear in 2027-2028. By 2030, energy density will double, and the price will fall by 50%. This will make electric cars cheaper than gasoline ones. A range of 700-800 km will become the norm. Volkswagen is also building six “gigafactories” in Europe to be independent of China. Autonomous Driving: From Assistance to Full Freedom By 2026, Volkswagen will implement level 3 autonomous driving (conditional) in the ID. Buzz for commercial transport. The driver can watch a movie, but must take control upon request. By 2030, level 4 (highly automated) is expected on sedans and crossovers. This will allow sleeping in the car on the highway. VW is developing its own chip for processing data from cameras and lidars. In the future, you will be able to send your car for pizza or ... Read more