The Volkswagen Arteon’s fate in the American market has been sealed, as a recent dealer notification has officially confirmed the discontinuation of the sedan for the US. While the Arteon has lingered on the edge of uncertainty, the letter shared on social media platforms unequivocally states, “Model Year 2023 marks the end of the Arteon production for the US market.”
Volkswagen spokesperson Mark Gillies confirmed the discontinuation, referring to Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer’s announcement about ending the production of low-volume models as part of the “Accelerate Forward | Road to 6.5” plan. The move aims to optimise costs and revenue for the company. However, the timeline for the Arteon’s exit was not explicitly detailed.
Originally introduced in 2017, the Arteon garnered attention for its sleek design but struggled to secure a significant share of the market. In the first half of 2023, only 1,155 Arteons were sold in the US, contrasting with 16,224 Jettas and 38,785 Tiguans during the same period. Despite its discontinuation, the Arteon experienced a notable improvement, with a 580% increase in sales compared to the first half of 2022.
The demise of the Arteon does not signal the end of sophisticated VW sedans, as the all-electric ID.7 steps in as its spiritual successor. The ID.7, unveiled earlier in Europe, is slated to be sold as a 2025 model year vehicle. Offering up to 700km of range on the WLTP cycle and up to 282hp, the ID.7 is set to bring a new era of stylish and eco-friendly driving to Volkswagen enthusiasts.
