Sharjah24 – Reuters: Volkswagen VOWG_p.DE will stop taking orders for several plug-in hybrid models from Wednesday, the German automaker said, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine destabilises its supply chain just as chip troubles were beginning to ease.

Orders for plug-in hybrid versions of the Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Arteon, and Touareg models will be halted in Germany until further notice and delivery of already placed orders may not happen this year, the company said on Tuesday.

"Our plug-in hybrids are highly sought after, leading to high order backlog we are working through," a spokesperson said.

"Due to this demand and limitations in supply of semiconductors, we cannot take any further orders for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models in Germany," the spokesperson said, adding the crisis in Ukraine also played a part.

An uncertain regulatory environment towards plug-in hybrids also influenced the decision, Volkswagen said, with Germany due to debate whether the vehicle type should still receive high subsidies designed to encourage uptake of electric cars later this month.

Volkswagen sales of plug-in hybrids, seen by some as a transition technology to fully-electric cars, grew 61% last year to 309,500 vehicles, compared to 452,900 battery-electric vehicles sold.