WOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX) - Volkswagen customers will have to pay more for combustion models this month. The new car prices of many of the core brand's vehicles with corresponding drive systems are to rise by an average of 4.4 percent from February 23. Europe's largest car company justified the step for its main division on Thursday with growing expenses, for example, in the purchase of raw materials and energy: "Even Volkswagen cannot escape the high inflation." Earlier, the trade journal Automobilwoche had reported the plans, citing a circular to dealers.

VW said it was trying to counter this with long-term contracts or deals to hedge prices for basic resources. "However, these cost effects cannot be fully compensated." The price increase is said to apply to most diesel, gasoline or natural gas models. For some variants of the Golf or the T-Roc, more than 5 percent more will be due, according to information from the trade journal.

The order books of several automakers are full to bursting, but the shortage of microchips and other electronics often leads to long waiting times. VW stressed, "We're doing everything we can to deliver the vehicles we've ordered to our customers as quickly as possible." Used vehicles have also become more expensive because of the tight supply.

In the medium term, another factor could drive up prices: the planned EU Euro-7 emissions standard. Industry representatives and also German Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) warned the EU Commission against rules that were too strict and too fast. Several manufacturers stressed that the introduction of the technology needed to comply with stricter limits on nitrogen oxide emissions would be too time-consuming and would probably make models more expensive. Environmental organizations, on the other hand, are calling for an end to all classic diesel and gasoline engines as soon as possible.

At a works meeting at VW's headquarters in Wolfsburg on Thursday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also indirectly commented on the issue. According to participant circles, he assured that the German government would "not forget the present when looking to the future and will always ensure realistic solutions." Group CEO Oliver Blume said of the Brussels concept on the table: "This proposal cannot be realized in terms of time. With a view to climate protection, one must also ask why large sums of money should still be invested in the internal combustion engine, even though the technology is being phased out."/jap/DP/jha