After a hesitant begin, the Volkswagen Group’s EV onslaught is lastly paying off. Within the first half of the 12 months, international EV gross sales for the whole automotive conglomerate rose 47 % to about 465,000 models, giving the corporate an 11-percent share of the worldwide market. Nonetheless, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. In keeping with a brand new report, one all-electric mannequin is dealing with retirement.

Autocar alleges the ID.5 can be dropped from the lineup as early as 2027, giving the swoopy electrical SUV a seven-year life cycle with no second-generation mannequin deliberate. Sluggish gross sales are reportedly guilty because the mannequin failed to achieve traction in Europe. As a substitute, consumers choose the extra spacious, conventionally styled ID.4. Not launching the ID.5 in america additional restricted its potential.

Sarcastically, the ID.5 really tops the VW Group’s EV gross sales charts for the primary half of the 12 months, however solely as a result of its numbers are mixed with these of the ID.4. As anticipated, the common mannequin did a lot of the heavy lifting, contributing the majority of the 84,900 models offered via June. The ID.3 adopted with 60,700 models, trailed by the Audi This fall E-Tron and This fall E-Tron Sportback at 44,600 models.

Slicing the ID.5 raises questions in regards to the destiny of its Ford equal, the Capri. The Blue Oval revived the enduring nameplate by itself coupe-styled electrical crossover final 12 months, however manufacturing was quickly decreased. The early cutback got here in response to “quickly deteriorating market circumstances for electrical autos,” in line with a Ford spokesperson quoted by German newspaper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

The ID.5’s demise is claimed to be a part of a broader effort to cull underperforming fashions. VW has already retired the Passat sedan, not too long ago ended Arteon manufacturing, and is rumored to drop the Touareg in 2026. Its solely convertible, the T-Roc Cabriolet, will bow out in 2027. Plans for a smaller ID. Buzz minivan to interchange the ageing Touran have additionally been scrapped.

Though an insider informed Autocar that “the market is demanding crossovers and SUV fashions,” VW nonetheless has a pair of electrical hatchbacks within the pipeline. The ID.2 will launch subsequent 12 months as a €25,000 EV, adopted in 2027 by the €20,000 ID.1. Wolfsburg will even cater to crossover demand with a high-riding ID.2 X spinoff.