- volkswagen has confirmed that production of the 2021 golf tsi compact hatchback has ended for the u.s. market.
- the automaker says that the inventory of the vehicle should last until the end of 2021.
- going forward, only the high-trim-level vehicles will be available in this market, beginning with the eighth-generation 2022 golf gti and 2022 golf r.
we knew it was coming, but now it has happened, so get ready to say goodbye to the volkswagen golf tsi. the automaker announced last night that as of last week it had ended production of the compact hatchback at its puebla, mexico, plant but that current inventory should last until the end of 2021. fortunately, just as the stock of 2021 golf tsi models dwindles, the 2022 eighth-generation golf gti and golf r, built in germany, should be landing on u.s. shores.
it had been rumored since 2019 that volkswagen would pull the base golf from the u.s. it doesn't sell as well as the golf gti and doesn't have the enthusiast cred of the all-wheel-drive golf r. plus, it's not a crossover or suv, so its market appeal is waning as those vehicles cut into sales of sedans and hatchbacks. still, vw says, more than 2.5 million u.s. buyers have purchased a golf since it first arrived in december 1974.
if you're still interested in the base-level golf tsi, you have plenty of time to pick one up. although production has ceased, inventory levels should keep the vehicle in showrooms until the end of 2021. starting at $24,190, the golf is in one of a few segments where a manual transmission is still available, alongside the mazda 3 and the honda civic.
meanwhile, the mk 8 2022 golf gti and 2022 golf r are expected to arrive this fall, according to vw. so you can still buy a golf in the future, just as long as you don't mind if it's more expensive and quicker.