We've got some good news for fans of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R (or just hatchbacks in general). At a round-table interview at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, company executives admitted that despite some rather slow sales last year, the hot hatch will almost certainly always have a place in the lineup, serving as a core component of VW's identity rather than a mere money-making opportunity. Those are strong words that should bring almost every car enthusiast some joy, even as the automaker redoubles its efforts on building compelling crossovers like the redesigned Atlas. The 'Heartbeat' Of The Volkswagen Brand Emphatic support of the Golf family came from Dr. Kjell Gruner, the president and CEO of Volkswagen Group North America, who acknowledged that the sporty hatchbacks had taken quite a sales stumble in 2025, falling to 10,554 combined units compared with the previous year's 15,268. Despite that 30.2 percent drop year over year, Gruner didn't feel the need to raise any alarm bells that Volkswagen was considering killing off yet another of its traditional cars.Volkswagen"In a brand portfolio, there are different roles for different vehicles, and you can't measure success and importance just by volume alone," the CEO said. "You also need to measure it by heartbeat. Let's take the GTI and Golf R. Combined, the Golf made 10,000 units roughly last year, in the US, so you could argue that it's, you know, not that important. But it's very important just for what the brand stands for. Smiles per mile, perspective, and heartbeat."VolkswagenGruner used that last word to describe the pared-down Golf family – the automaker no longer sells the standard Golf or its station wagon variant in the US – likening the hot hatches to the lifeblood of the company. "Every company needs these brand icons, these brand shapers, and for me that's Golf GTI [and Golf R]." Another Iconic Polarizer In The Lineup Curiously, Gruner also lumped the question mark–riddled ID. Buzz in with his list of brand shapers. The automaker will famously skip the 2026 model year for the all-electric van, instead selling down back stock of late-production 2025 models before reintroducing the ID. Buzz in time for the 2027 model year. However, Gruner was very clear that the van was not being discontinued, as some of us have suspected.We're just going directly from 2025 to 2027, which goes against rumors I've seen. No pause.Dr. Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group America, on the future of the ID. BuzzThe exec claimed that since 2025 models arrived at US dealers rather late in the model year, VW was able to build up enough stock to sustain ID. Buzz demand through most of 2026 – slow sales of the somewhat pricey EV probably contribute as well. However, Gruner says to expect the 2027 variant of the all-electric van to hit the showroom floor at about the same time as the company's other model-year changeovers; think late summer or early fall.VolkswagenGruner didn't say if Volkswagen would be making any changes to the 2027 ID. Buzz in order to help it compete better in today's contracting EV marketplace. If we had our druthers, however, the stylish, Microbus-inspired van would be about $10,000 cheaper to start. The 234 miles of maximum range it currently offers is too much for a $60,000 EV, but that number might be more acceptable at 50 grand or so.VW proved it could make reasonable changes to its EVs with the steady, gradual improvement it's made to the ID.4, which launched in 2022 with no more than 275 miles of range. For 2026, that number has risen to 291 in its longest-legged form.