• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechCES

Volkswagen Teases Electric Concept Car

By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 30, 2015, 8:03 PM ET
Volkswagen

Next week, Volkswagen will show off its all-electric concept car as it tries to distance itself from the diesel emissions cheating scandal that has eviscerated sales and forced the company to restructure.

In prelude to the unveiling at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the automaker has dropped a few hints. The latest image, tweeted on Wednesday, appears to reveal the rear of the concept car.

Premiere at #CES in Las Vegas: Latest display and control concepts will be unveiled #VWCES2016 pic.twitter.com/iVVPtpfzVg

— Volkswagen News (@volkswagen) December 30, 2015

Dr. Herbert Diess, chairman of Volkswagen’s passenger car division, will unveil the concept car—which many believe will be a microbus—on stage Tuesday. He is expected to focus on electrification and connected car technologies.

WATCH: The financial cost of the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal:

In the weeks since VW said it would appear at CES, the company has released a number of teasers via Twitter and YouTube about its highly anticipated car. One of the first, a photo of the front grill of a square-looking VW vehicle, prompted speculation that the company would reveal a microbus.

Always connected: #VWCES2016 showcases the car in the Internet of Things at #CES in Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/z4CJHX11L3

— Volkswagen News (@volkswagen) December 28, 2015

This latest photo adds to that theory. It shows a few letters (or is it numbers too?) that auto enthusiasts speculated were part of the car’s name. They spelled “UDD.e,” which led many people to try to guess at the rest as if playing Wheel of Fortune. A few options:

  • Budd.e (Volkswagen really does want to be your buddy)
  • Dudd.e (The opposite of what Volkswagen wants)
  • Mudd.e (Oh! An all-terrain microbus)

The “D” in the photo could also be viewed as a “0” and the U could be a “4.” Perhaps the name is a number (with an “e” slapped on the end for electric) instead.

SIGN UP:Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter about the business of technology.

Whatever the car’s name, Volkswagen’s future depends on its ability to move past the emissions cheating scandal. And that means more than trotting out a concept car—even if it is electric. It will mean production models. Other VW-owned units such as Audi and Porsche are already making moves to electrify their lineups.

Audi of America president Scott Keogh told Fortune during a dinner event ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show in November that by 2025, at least one quarter of all Audi cars sold in the U.S. will have a plug. Earlier this month, Porsche announced it would produce an all-electric four-door sports car—its first on the market.

About the Author
By Kirsten Korosec
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

GameStop making $56 billion offer to acquire eBay, WSJ says
RetailRetail
GameStop making $56 billion offer to acquire eBay, WSJ says
By Se Young Lee and BloombergMay 3, 2026
1 hour ago
Hong Kong is the hub for China’s AI IPOs. It can be so much more than that
CommentaryHong Kong
Hong Kong is the hub for China’s AI IPOs. It can be so much more than that
By Brian Wong and Tony ChanMay 3, 2026
4 hours ago
Chinese court rules firms can’t lay off workers on AI grounds
AIChina
Chinese court rules firms can’t lay off workers on AI grounds
By Victor Swezey and BloombergMay 3, 2026
10 hours ago
jason corso
Commentarydisruption
AI models are choking on junk data
By Jason CorsoMay 3, 2026
12 hours ago
Sam Altman speaks into a microphone
AILabor
Sam Altman says the quiet part out loud, confirming some companies are ‘AI washing’ by blaming unrelated layoffs on the technology
By Sasha RogelbergMay 3, 2026
13 hours ago
Zoom is giving away $150K to ‘solopreneurs’ with no strings attached—as 33 million workers ditch corporate to become their own boss
SuccessCareers
Zoom is giving away $150K to ‘solopreneurs’ with no strings attached—as 33 million workers ditch corporate to become their own boss
By Orianna Rosa RoyleMay 3, 2026
18 hours ago

Most Popular

Scott Bessent on financial literacy: 'it drives me crazy' to see young men in blue-collar construction jobs playing the lottery
Personal Finance
Scott Bessent on financial literacy: 'it drives me crazy' to see young men in blue-collar construction jobs playing the lottery
By Fatima Hussein and The Associated PressMay 1, 2026
2 days ago
America got rich and got sad. A top economist says 2020 broke something that hasn't healed
Economy
America got rich and got sad. A top economist says 2020 broke something that hasn't healed
By Nick LichtenbergMay 3, 2026
14 hours ago
Gen Z is rebelling against the economy with ‘disillusionomics,’ tackling near 6-figure debt by turning life into a giant list of income streams
Economy
Gen Z is rebelling against the economy with ‘disillusionomics,’ tackling near 6-figure debt by turning life into a giant list of income streams
By Jacqueline MunisMay 2, 2026
1 day ago
China dominates the world's lithium supply. The U.S. just found 328 years' worth in its own backyard
North America
China dominates the world's lithium supply. The U.S. just found 328 years' worth in its own backyard
By Jake AngeloApril 30, 2026
3 days ago
I spent a decade selling homes to the ultra-wealthy. What I saw explains the housing market's nepo problem
Commentary
I spent a decade selling homes to the ultra-wealthy. What I saw explains the housing market's nepo problem
By Blake O'ShaughnessyMay 3, 2026
14 hours ago
Sam Altman says the quiet part out loud, confirming some companies are ‘AI washing’ by blaming unrelated layoffs on the technology
AI
Sam Altman says the quiet part out loud, confirming some companies are ‘AI washing’ by blaming unrelated layoffs on the technology
By Sasha RogelbergMay 3, 2026
13 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.