Griffiths mentioned in an interview with the U.Okay. publication Autocar that if Cupra enters the U.S. market, it should achieve this solely with bigger, full-electric fashions.
“You need a car in the US that’s fit for the U.S. and electric,” he advised Autocar. “A U.S. electric car is generally bigger, so it will be a next generation of electric cars that would be based on the SSP platform from VW.” That platform is predicted a while after 2025.
Griffiths mentioned the timing of a U.S. market entry could be linked to Cupra’s transfer to an electric-only model, which he has mentioned will likely be by 2030. Cupra, as a brand new model, additionally wants to determine itself in Europe, he added.
“The investments for making cars ready for America are considerable, and I think we need to be stronger first in Europe and make sure we’ve done our homework,” he mentioned, including that Cupra was looking for a European market share of three to 4 p.c.
Cupra’s market share on the finish of February was 1.2 p.c, in accordance with trade group ACEA, a 60 p.c enhance from 2022.
The North American market has lengthy been coveted by sporty European manufacturers. The Stellantis group’s Alfa Romeo model first effort led to 1995, nevertheless it returned to the U.S. in 2014, first with the area of interest 4C coupe, then with the midsize Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV. The compact Tonale SUV debuted this yr, and model CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato mentioned in January that a big full-electric car will likely be developed by 2027 to broaden within the U.S.
Renault’s Alpine model can also be planning a U.S. growth beginning in 2027 or 2028. CEO Laurent Rossi mentioned in January that the U.S. market will likely be essential for Alpine’s formidable income and gross sales objectives. The model has aspirations to promote two fashions within the U.S., a midsize full-electric SUV and a bigger, related mannequin, beginning in 2027 or 2028.
Source: europe.autonews.com