volkswagen wants to bring cheaper golf models back to americaVolkswagen's U.S. Golf lineup has been thin for years. While European buyers can choose from a long list of gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid, wagon, manual, GTI, and R variants, Americans have been limited to just the two performance models: the GTI and Golf R.That could change once Golf production moves to Mexico.Volkswagen confirmed in late 2024 that production of the eighth-generation Golf will shift from Wolfsburg, Germany, to Puebla, Mexico, sometime in 2027. That plant is already familiar with the nameplate, having built previous generations of the Golf, and the move could make additional U.S.-market variants easier to justify.AdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking with Automotive News, Volkswagen Group of America CEO Kjell Gruner said building the Golf in North America "opens up opportunities for other Golf variants."He did not say which versions Volkswagen is considering, but cheaper models would be the obvious place to start.volkswagen wants to bring cheaper golf models back to americaThe current GTI starts at $35,865, while the Golf R begins at $50,730. A regular Golf would give VW a more affordable hatchback below the GTI, something the brand has lacked in the U.S. since the standard Golf left the market.Tariffs will still matter. Gruner said Volkswagen would need to study which versions make financial sense, adding that a 25-percent tariff on an entry-level Golf would be difficult. That suggests VW may avoid the absolute cheapest trims and instead focus on better-equipped versions with enough margin to absorb added costs.AdvertisementAdvertisementA regular Golf would also give Volkswagen another sub-$30,000 candidate in the U.S., where the Jetta currently starts at $25,270 and the Taos begins at $27,975. Both are built in Puebla.Although the Mk8 launched globally in 2019 and received a facelift in 2024, Volkswagen has said it could keep selling the combustion Golf even after the electric ninth-generation model arrives. That EV is now not expected before 2030.For American buyers, the question is whether VW sees enough demand for a conventional Golf again. U.S. sales fell 13 percent in 2025 to 329,813 vehicles, and deliveries were down another 16.1 percent in the first quarter of this year.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.