Today, the Volkswagen Group has informed its retail partners in selected European markets that it will initiate a joint review of its sales model. While the ‘Direct to Customer’ approach with a Full Agency remains the long-term ambition, changing framework conditions might require changes in the short- to mid-term to ensure the best possible customer experience. Due to the slower transition to electric mobility across the industry, two sales models for private customers would need to be operated in parallel longer than originally anticipated: The Agency model for all-electric vehicles (BEVs) and the indirect sales model for vehicles with other drivetrains. Maintaining this high level of complexity for an extended period of time would be a key challenge for the sales organization. Therefore, a joint review process with the wholesale and retail organizations will start immediately to determine whether returning to an indirect sales model for BEVs might be a favourable alternative for the short- to mid-term. Results of this process are expected around the end of Q1 2025.
Despite potential adjustments in the short- and mid-term, the Volkswagen Group continues to consistently pursue its long-term target of a ‘Direct to Customer’ sales model with a Full Agency. Working towards this ambition, gaining more insights on the Agency is crucial. Therefore, it will be continued in three different areas:
- The successful and established Fleet Agency is to be further scaled and optimized.
- The Full Agency for vehicles across all drivetrains – not just BEVs – will be established in the designated markets Ireland and Sweden.
- The CUPRA brand as Agency forerunner of the Group will continue to sell its BEVs in the Agency model.
The other brands currently operating the BEV Agency model, being Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Škoda and Audi, will participate in above-mentioned review process. The markets involved are France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.
SOURCE: Volkswagen Group
