Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
European carmakers revive familiar names to boost electric vehicle sales
European carmakers are reviving familiar names and designs for electric cars as they seek to boost sales amid growing competition from Chinese manufacturers.
Volkswagen began moving its electric models into its ID.
family in 2019, but in 2025 it said it would bring well-known names such as Polo to the range.
The ID.
Polo has received more than 50,000 orders in Europe, while the ID.
Cross has received more than 15,000.
Volkswagen has presented the ID.
Tiguan, which is expected to replace the ID.4 and ID.5 and will cost from 32,400 euros.
Stellantis has instead added electric versions to familiar car ranges, while Citroën has shown an electric concept inspired by its 1948 2 CV.
Renault launched the electric Renault 5 in early 2024, and its Twingo E-Tech is among the market’s more affordable electric cars.
The companies are betting that recognisable models can make electric cars more appealing.
European carmakers are reviving familiar model names and retro designs to encourage sales of electric vehicles amid competition from Chinese manufacturers.
Volkswagen shifted in September 2025 to using well-known model names for its ID electric-car family.
Its ID. Polo has received more than 50,000 orders across Europe, while the ID. Cross has received more than 15,000.
Stellantis has introduced electric versions of established combustion-engine models, while Citroën has presented an electric reinterpretation of the 2 CV.
Renault began reviving a classic name with the Renault 5 E-Tech in early 2024.
- Who
- European carmakers including Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault.
- What
- They are using familiar model names, classic designs and electric versions of established models to promote electric-vehicle sales.
- When
- The article was published on 16 October 2026; the strategy examples span 2019 to 2026.
- Where
- Europe; Volkswagen’s ID. Cross is made in Pamplona, Spain.
- Why
- To boost electric-vehicle sales amid the advance of Chinese manufacturers and make the cars more familiar to customers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Volkswagen announced an electric-car push that included plans to launch 70 models by 2025.
Renault launched the Renault 5 E-Tech.
Volkswagen announced a new naming strategy, transferring familiar model names to its ID electric-car family.
Expansión reported on European manufacturers’ use of familiar names and retro designs to promote electric vehicles.
- Volkswagen electric-car plan
- 70 models by 2025, announced in 2019
- Volkswagen naming strategy
- Announced in September 2025
- ID. Polo orders
- More than 50,000 across Europe
- ID. Cross orders
- More than 15,000
- ID. Tiguan starting price
- €32,400
- Citroën classic model
- The 2 CV, first introduced in 1948
What people are saying
Reinventing the 2 CV does not mean replicating a car from the past, but reinventing what made it unique: its simplicity, its accessibility and the freedom it offered. We bring that spirit into the present to make electric mobility simpler, more human and more attractive.