Volkswagen Group CEO hints at electric dual cab

Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess has provided hints about his company's future, with the automotive giant potentially looking to the past to inspire its electric plans.

Having recently faced being ousted from the board of management last year, Diess participated in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, taking everything from questions from passionate Volkswagen fans about future technologies being implemented, to confirming diesel vehicles are a thing of the past in the United States.

With the next-generation Amarok set to be released in the near future and Ford's F-150 Lightning pick-up truck proving to be a popular concept, Diess was asked whether Volkswagen would look at introducing its own electric pick-up, replying, "good idea" – potentially tongue-in-cheek.

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One commenter pointed out "Herbie" Diess could resurrect the iconic Beetle on the new MEB architecture, although the CEO said the brand's priorities are with reintroducing the Microbus as the ID Buzz.

"Our most emotional car in our history is definitely the Microbus," said Diess.

"This was my first priority to bring this icon back to life. But yes, many other emotional cars are possible on our scalable MEB platform."

So far the Volkswagen Group's MEB-based vehicles include the ID.3/4/5/6, Skoda Enyaq, Cupra Born and Audi Q4/Q5 E-Tron, with both the ID. Buzz van and ID Life. crossover slated to go into production before 2025.

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Perhaps the most forward-thinking of questions came in the form of asking Diess for his opinion on how much the industry will change over the next quarter of a century, with autonomous driving at the forefront of development.

"Twenty-five years are very difficult to predict," said Diess.

"Advancements in technology are coming fast. My guess: All cars will be able to drive autonomously, very safe, probably no accidents at all anymore. Emission free, very comfortable - cars will take you where you want to go and when you want to go.

"Still there will be precious brands for different customer preferences, still cars will be the most important means of transport. But totally safe, convenient and sustainable."

Volkswagen's introduced its first autonomous production vehicle concept at last year's IAA mobility show in Munich, with the ID. Buzz AD currently undergoing testing before it is rolled out as a part of a fully-autonomous shuttle service in Hamburg from 2025.

The manufacturer has previously announced it will be ditching internal combustion engine vehicles in Europe by 2035, although its Australian outpost believes the local market isn't ready for such a move.