Was expectable that it was VW’s fault (which, to be honest , makes no sense as they have a reputation to save…if anything, they should have align their “pretention” a bit down but whatever).
However, i was still hoping they could discuss with VW and maybe bring them back with a DLC and the way this announce is “phrased” make it sound unlikely 
(i’ll have to accept that i won’t have my Type 2…)
"Volkswagen
With our Forza Garage series wrapping up, I know that a lot of folks in the community have been wondering about a conspicuous manufacturer absence from the game: Volkswagen. With Forza Horizon 3, we’re bringing fans more than 350 cars to the game at launch, including manufacturers who have never appeared in a Forza game before. Our team works hard to license hundreds of brands for every Forza game; from small independent brands to major international automotive companies. Unfortunately, we can’t always align our fans’ desires with the interests of every licensor, as is the case with Volkswagen in Forza Horizon 3. As a result, we’re unable to include VW in the game.
Naturally, there are tons of VW fans here at Turn 10 and Playground Games and we’re as disappointed to share this update as our fans are to hear it. We hope to be able to restore VW to Forza games in the future."
I think the last statement pretty much rules out the possibility of VW ever appearing in Horizon 3 as it mentions future games
Also Forza Central Member member FordGTGuy came up with these scenarios as to why they are not in the game but its Volkswagens fault not Turn 10 or Playground for not being in the game
- Diesel gate caused a legal reason that halts their ability to advertise or be in new games.
VWs fault.
- VW has decided to lay low and pull out of media and let diesel gate blow over.
VWs fault.
- VW sold their exclusive license for their brand in use to video games to another publisher.
VWs fault.
- Microsoft decided to not associate with VW because of diesel gate.
VWs fault.
I would argue that the last one is probably Microsoft’s fault (NOT Turn 10)
Possibly the inclusion of traffic played a role as well. I know Honda wouldn’t license their cars for any “street racing” games for the longest time. It’s possible that the new management wants to go that route as well.
What about the Hondas in Need for Speed?.. its a Street Race Game… as far as i know…
Honda seems to have dropped that stance in recent years. Hell, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune is getting Honda and that’s a 120% street racing game on (mostly-Tokyo) highways.
It is a possibility they have had a change of heart on wreckless driving a public roads. I don’t buy the Diesel gate or not being allowed to advertise, then why are they racing in the WRC with the Polo?
Because they have already spent lots of money creating a rally team, and it would probably cause more media attention to pull out of WRC.
If its Dieselgate then why are they allowing their Audi’s to be in the game.
I dont know what the hell is going on but I do want VW to know this. The reason why I currently own a VW is because of Forza. Im sure im not the only one. But for my next car, choosing the Tesla Model 3 over the Golf R might of just happened. Or maybe ill just switch to Ford and get a Focus RS as my next car. It seems that Ford’s marketing team takes Video Games seriously.
Im extremely dissapointed that VW is not in the game. This game will go down as the Best Car video game, im not going to call it just a video game, its going to be the best Car Fantacy Masterpiece outlet ever to have been created and VW is missing out.
Not the biggest VW fan myself but will miss seeing someone with a Beetle or camper van doing something ludicrous online in the open world of Horizon haha.
Personally it’s a shame they’re not in for whatever reasons, the more manufacturers represented in game the better (imo). Hopefully they’ll return in a future installment.
I just miss the rally beetle…
I know a lot of you are unhappy about the fact that we’re not able to include VW in Forza Horizon 3. Perhaps no one is unhappier about this than I am.
I own 3 VWs in real life, including a 1960 Beetle, a 1985 cabriolet, and a 1997 Passat VR6/GLX. We made a VW Corrado your first car in the original Forza Horizon for a reason: because it’s special. We brought the '63 Type 2 Deluxe to the series with FH2, which was arguably the most photographed car in the entire game. We even brought the GRC Beetle and the Desert Dingo baja Beetle to FH2 in the same car pack (which resulted in my first online death threat by someone who apparently didn’t like two beetles in a car pack!)
We were working on some excellent new VWs to roam Australia, too. One of the first 10 cars on the FH3 car production list was a VW that would have been a hoot to drive in the game.
I can’t talk about why we couldn’t include VWs in FH3, but suffice to say I’m pretty bummed out about it, as is everyone at Turn 10 and Playground Games who love Volkswagens, and there are a lot of us.
Now I really want to know what it was 
Well, I’m always appreciative for any behind-the-scenes information developers share with the community, so I thank you for that, JONK.
If I was to throw out a guess, I’d reckon a 181/Trekker/Thing/whatever it was called in your country of choice 
Pretty good guess actually. Makes a lot of sense given some of the other new arrivals. I could totally see that being a barn find.
I really wish people would stop with the speculation just go spam vws twitter or facebook and ask them.
=+++++:+1:
needn’t say more mate.
OZ
Since Porshe is called Ruf
Maybe we can call VW’s Bark!
Not really. RUF isn’t an “also known as” name for Porsche.