Volkswagen Golf to be dropped in the US –

North American arm looking to drop core range due to slow sales, with the GTI and R to carry on.

Volkswagen USA looks set to drop standard versions of the Golf hatchback when the eighth-generation model goes into production, according to a new report out of North America.

Motor 1 says it has “learned some eye-opening news” from a “high-ranking Volkswagen employee”, who reportedly told the publication non-performance versions of the compact hatch and wagon won’t be available in the next generation, with only the GTI and R hot hatch variants to soldier on.

Volkswagen’s North American division apparently declined to offer further comment.

According to the Motor 1 report, some 48% of Golf sales in the US in 2018 were GTI and R models, with the GTI outselling the core range by a rate of nearly three to one. Just 6642 regular Golf models were sold in 2018, which accounts for less than 2% of Volkswagen’s overall sales in the region.

The current e-Golf won’t be renewed in Mk8 guise, either, meaning the US will have to make do with the new ID. Neo hatchback due to be revealed at this year’s Paris motor show, while a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the Golf Alltrack crossover wagon.

It’s believed the Golf ‘SportWagen’ won’t be returning Stateside in the next generation, either, so the Alltrack’s future “looks dim”, according to the report.