Volkswagen is working on a new crossover. It's called the T-Cross, and it's being built atop the same building blocks as the Polo. But the latest word on the street is that, while the German automaker plans to roll it out in markets around the world, those won't include North America. We're going worldwide with this," VW's small-car boss Andreas Krueger told Automotive News Europe, "starting in Europe, then South America, both Chinese joint ventures and finally India."

Previewed as the T-Cross Breeze convertible concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the new model is being developed as an even smaller counterpart to the new T-Roc in a Volkswagen crossover lineup that's growing in scope but shrinking in size. VW also produces the Tiguan, Touareg, and Atlas. The Touareg was withdrawn from the United States after the last model year, with the new third-generation model kept on distant shores. Its place has largely (in one sense or another) been taken by the seven-seat Atlas in VW's North American lineup. That leaves the previous, second-generation Touareg as the last one offered on these shores.

The Touareg's platform mates will, however, form a vital part of VW's sister brands – even (or especially) in North America. Those include the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, and the new Audi Q8 that's just launching in Europe and is soon to arrive in the United States as well. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, European customers can expect the new T-Cross to arrive at dealers in the spring before it reaches South America, China, and India. Just don't count on seeing it in US (or Canadian) showrooms any sooner than the Polo hatchback on which it's being based.