Agent009
Agent009
"The vanity of others offends our taste only when it offends our vanity"
View My AgentSpace

Print this Page | Digg It | del.icio.us

Does VW Understand What Its North American Customers Want?
Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby will start his new job on Sept. 1. But he flew into Volkswagen's Auburn Hills (Mich.) headquarters the week of July 9 to meet with the senior management team he is inheriting.

It's no wonder he's in a hurry to start work. Volkswagen lost almost $900 million last year in the U.S., and around the same the year before. This year, sales of Volkswagens are flat, the U.S. dollar is a little weaker than it was last year against the euro, and VW has had a heck of a time finding more fixed costs to cut in its American operation. That is going to make it awfully difficult to reach new Volkswagen Chairman Martin Winterkorn's target of breakeven in the U.S. by 2009.

Read Article
Does VW Understand What Its North American Customers Want?



Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]
Will_Will_ - 7/23/2007 1:08:21 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
formula1 has one, so no.

reply to this comment
jon21jon21 - 7/23/2007 1:42:16 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Yup...hahhaahha!


EL34EL34 - 7/23/2007 7:08:37 PM
-1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
lol


zorbeezezorbeeze - 7/23/2007 7:36:25 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
"I own a 2005 M3 and a 2007 GTI both with manual transmission."

You mean "daddy has an M3" and you have a GTI


Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 1:42:16 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
and VW is doing "better than ever?" excuez-moi?

reply to this comment
mini22mini22 - 7/23/2007 2:04:58 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well for starters VW needs to disect the
Toyota Camry and Corolla with a fine tooth comb to see how they are built inside and out. What is it about these cars that appeal to American Tastes. Next they either need to source 99 % of their parts from South America or Mexico and not Germany if they don't build a US plant. However, If they cannot improve on their quality from Puebla then perhaps they should look at a US plant. Quite simply their cars and packages are too expensive to be competative to Toyota,Honda ,and Nissan. Porsche is well aware of the US market. They had a learning curve with their Cayenne but they seem to understand.There is one problem. Even if VW does build cars in the US they cannot charge as much as BMW does because they are perceived as a peoples car.Also their styling is definately lacking a bit. They need to take a lesson from Seat. Frankly I wish Seat were here over VW at this point.

reply to this comment
M35MTM35MT - 7/23/2007 2:15:24 PMView My AgentSpace
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
"What is it about these cars that appeal to American Tastes"

They are reliable. The affordable "car of the people" needs to be reliable. That's the problem. VW's are overpriced w/o the cache, and really, w/o the performance - for the price they charge.

It's scary what a GLI tops out at...you might as well get an Acura TSX, more brand cache (depending on the person...) at the other end of the spectrum in terms of reliability, and will hold its value much much better.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 7/24/2007 10:24:50 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
VW was originally conceived as a people's car but has come a long way since then. The VW group as a whole covers the whole market spectrum now all the way up to the Bentley. What people really want in all products (not just cars) is reliability and durability. In cars the added dimensions of comfort and style come into play. The mistake that traditional marketers make is that they focus of style instead of the other attributes because style (or elegance in the case of the Bentley) is easier to sell. By ignoring comfort, reliability and durability they create unhappy customers who won't hesitate to switch brands at the slightest whim.


Will_Will_ - 7/23/2007 2:24:04 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
They could improve their quality, or perception of such for starters, at least.

You know, if you just moved to Europe, you and your VW would be part of the majority--see how greatly your self-esteem improves when you realize that owning a VW isn't all that special...

Stop bashing Americans because they don't buy European cars more than Japanese ones. Americans look for good quality and value. Europeans look for fun. This explains why Toyota and Honda are doing so well here, and why VW is doing well over there. Just different automotive car-buying values.

reply to this comment
answeranswer - 7/23/2007 2:42:19 PMView My AgentSpace
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
When was the last time formula1 had an intelligent post?

Just wondering.

reply to this comment
Will_Will_ - 7/23/2007 3:27:21 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Two years? BMWs and Volkswagens alike used to be filled with problems within not even a year's time. The Japanese do not have a reliability/quality issue, no matter what you say or believe.

Need I even mention the recent survey that shows Germans getting more satisfaction out of Toyota products than any other manufacturer? In the Holy Grail of the automotive community, the people get more satisfaction out of a Japanese product. Interesting to say the least...

reply to this comment
M35MTM35MT - 7/23/2007 3:31:45 PMView My AgentSpace
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
You're a moron. VW sells overpriced, poorly built cars. Take your head, and your pride, out of your ass.

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 3:38:53 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
please explain yourself,

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 3:42:37 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
since when did the passat ever beat its strongest competitors?

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 3:47:11 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
we had our 1st problem with our passat @ 40k in 3 yrs, where the trunk would close after 3-5 times. expensive. too bad our accord couldnt do tht which is NEVER.

reply to this comment
atomicbriatomicbri - 7/23/2007 6:54:34 PMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
WIll man, stop with the Japanese cars have no quality problems. Right now my best friend's mother is on the verge of suing Toyota for her 2007 Camry SE. It's paint has faded in 8 months!! And it has faded bad! Large white areas on her Pearl Red paint job. The car is garage kept so she is extremely puzzled. Supposedly Toyota may be recalling again cars... The regional rep told her they are encountering this problem, but don't want to replace her car, just repaint it. She is mortified. Sure VW has had some electrical issues that has left their cars on the side of the road, but this perception that Toyota and Honda do no wrong is completely wrong! My brother's Civic windows stopped working and the transmission screwed up. 2 times he took it back to the dealer for windows within a 5 month period where he was without his car for 5 days one of the times and no loaner car... unless he paid for it himself. I think we will see a different story for the current crop of Japanese cars and their supposed reliability. More and more new Hondas and Toyotas have been recalled and have had some major issues. Thus is the problem I think when you begin to sell so many cars and to keep up with demand, you have to build them faster, thus losing quality.

reply to this comment
Will_Will_ - 7/24/2007 7:42:41 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I said Toyota and Honda as a whole, relatively do not have a bad perception of reliability/quality like VW has. And paint mysteriously rubbing off your best friend's mom's cousin's half sister's boyfriend's best man's wife's car pales in comparison to actual ignition switches failing on VWs, along with other electrical problems.


atomicbriatomicbri - 7/24/2007 8:25:17 AMView My AgentSpace
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Her transmission broke as well on the Camry, but they fixed it. It did leave her stranded. And I didn't say VWs were built excellent, I said what you said about Toyotas and Hondas being built well was a false statement. As you said they are "perceived" to have good reliability. Which I answered, as their new cars have more and more problems, which they have, their reputations will soon falter as well. As for her paint "rubbing off" no it has faded off... looking much like the problem GM had in the early 90's with a lot of their cars, and Toyota told her this may be an issue, for she is not the first complaint. Kudos to Toyota for admitting their issue, maybe that is what VW reps should do, admit they have issues.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 7/24/2007 10:32:23 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
M35MT, buy an Audi A6 and you'll change your mind. A Passat station wagon is also a good option at 2/3 the price of an Audi A6. An Audi A8L costs less than a Mercedes S-Class or a Jaguar XJ Super V8. With the A8 you get a non-rusting aluminum body and a superior AWD system with a Torsen center differential.

reply to this comment
OneOfOneOneOfOne - 7/23/2007 3:02:08 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
vw makes good looking [except the passat] cars that are overpriced and unreliable. fix those things and you will make sales. why in gods name would you buy a vw over a honda or toyota? because you are a bigot? that would be the only reason.

reply to this comment
Will_Will_ - 7/23/2007 3:30:02 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
With each one of your comments I'm learning more and more that they do not require a response. No matter what anyone says to you, you will still maintain the simple-minded viewpoints that must've been instilled in you since birth. Shame on your parents.

Move to Europe formula1, why don't you?


atomicbriatomicbri - 7/23/2007 7:00:03 PMView My AgentSpace
-2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I would buy one over the Toyota or Honda cause the Toyotas handle piss poor, all over the road at highway speeds, and Honda are just as expensive to fix, I know, my brother has huge repair bills on his supposedly "reliable" '06 Honda Civic. Has had more problems with it than my sister has had with her '06 Jetta. Sure Honda and Toyota may have fewer problems overall, but what is 2 extra problems? If it is under warranty and they fix it, why should it matter? VW's have had their share of quality issues no doubt, but just watch for the upcoming and current Japanese cars. Everyone I know that has bought a new one since 2005 has had 2 issues at least.... not too good...


RupertRupert - 7/23/2007 8:29:05 PMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Please Will!
Don't encourage formula1 to come anywhere near me!


Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/24/2007 10:09:05 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
we are on our 07 accord and 97 crv. prior to our 07, our 89 accord, we had the usual tranny problem and a power window issues (issues on most hondas) however, these problems only occured when they begin to age, pwr window @ 97k; tranny @ 125k. though it ran solid until it got into an accident @ 210k. though it was better than his passat. our crv is still running @ 116k and our accord is close to 10k w/ no problems. the typical american consumer will put serious abuse in them, leading problems to their cars...


your brother should file these problems as a lemon to honda, and have them buy the civic back.


ironhackerironhacker - 7/23/2007 3:47:37 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
When was the last time you saw an OLD VW on the road???

I owned several VWs, but not since 1998. I had a 1982 Rabbit that had zero curb appeal, but it always worked. That led to a 1986 Jetta that had numerous problems, but the warranty coverage had unlimited/unconditional mileage for 3 years, or something like that. I was quite content to let the local dealership work on the car, so long as it was not at my expense. Strangely enough, the problems went away as the warranty expired; it ran quite well for many years. Then I bought a 1994 Passat that turned into a lemon just after the warranty expired. The never-ending repairs meant I was paying for a new car without actually driving one. I can understand why that happens in a 10 year old car, but not a 5 year old car. No more VWs for me.

VW needs to establish reliability to match Toyota and Honda. That will not happen overnight, so they need to beef up their warranty coverage to exceed Hyundai. Cover the whole damn car for 100k miles. The customer perception is that VW costs a fortune to maintain. They have to declare war on maintenance cost, even though it is very profitable for VW and especially the dealers. Otherwise, there will be no VWs left on the road to be serviced.

Next, we have the dealers. All brands have this problem, but the high cost of parts put VW at a huge disadvantage. At many dealerships, the "service advisor" will pitch all kinds of preventive and pre-emptive services when a car is brought in for a simple oil change. The customer usually says "yes", which brings added profit to the dealer. After a while, the customer realizes that each oil change is running about $400. Then something really needs to be fixed. On a VW, it's seldom under $1000. At this point, the customer is spending more to maintain their VW than it would cost to buy a non-German car. Is it any mystery that sales are lost to Toyota and Honda?

Considering the perceived high cost of maintenance, VW can never hit a retail price point that is low enough to balance the equation. Koreans own the low end of the price spectrum. The Japanese and Americans battle over the middle ground. Everyone except the Koreans fights for the luxury class. Where does VW want to be?

The only way to challenge the Asian manufacturers is to provide a killer warranty that shocks the automotive world. Then they need to build the cars in such a way that the coverage is seldom needed. The typical VW customer would gladly sacrifice the snazzy electronics for a car that was fun to drive and uber-reliable. They should start ripping out the gizmos until the design is too simple to fail.

When I see old VWs on the road again, I will know they tackled the problem. Until then, the jury is still out.

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 3:56:55 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
most of the time, my dads friends would lease a VW until the warranty expires...


BimmerFanBimmerFan - 7/23/2007 4:26:41 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The 2 door shooting brake concept would be a good direction for VW to take in North America. It is a super hot concept. Though I would never drive a VW, I can appreciate the design.

reply to this comment
M316M316 - 7/23/2007 6:23:12 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I am beginning to think formula1 and robert frisk parents were both killed by a group Japanese ninjas called Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

reply to this comment
motomoto - 7/23/2007 6:32:46 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The 2007 C&D Car of the Year is the VW GTI, and it was very competitively priced at under $25k US. More superbly executed cars like this is what VW needs to do to compete with lower-cost car manufacturers -- and also improve its US dealer network, which is actually the cause of most people's griping.

VW, being a European manufacturer, is currently not able to offer its best hardware to the USA at bargain prices primarily due to the Euro/$US exchange rate. But then again, the GTI has no direct competition in North America because US and Asian manufacturers have abandoned hot hatches and wagons in favor of gas-guzzling utilities and aging badge-engineered sedans whose primary selling point is not economical performance, but bully appeal. That seems to be important on this site as well, though, so perhaps the right badge on the front grille, some freshly crinkled sheetmetal, and a semi-annual horsepower boost is all it takes to get people to buy bigger & bigger people-movers these days. Never mind the fact that few people actually use a fraction of the carrying capability that these oversize vehicles tout as being so important. Here VW differentiates itself by offering several small-on-th-outside, big-on-the-inside vehicles in configurations that make sense in an era of increasing fuel prices. As North America rapidly over-develops its urban areas beyond any sensible road capacity limit (like Europe), it becomes even more laughable to compare what car has the most horsepower when one sits in urban traffic. Compact economical engines like VW's 2.0T (multiple winner of the European Engine of the Year) make infinitely more sense.

For couples, the GTI is an excellent and reliable choice (5th generation German-made Golfs being infinitely better than previous generation Mexican and Brazilian models) as their primary car. For growing families, the Jetta wagon or Passat wagon are also uniquely good at balancing excellent chassis dynamics with superb cargo room and fuel economy. That's what people want - a cost-effective, fun, all-round, all-season car. The only Asian vehicle that competes in the USA with a VW hatch or wagon is a Subaru wagon, and equvalent AWD Subarus cost as much if not more, while offering fewer amenities and chintzy plastic interiors.

Unfortunately most other manufacturers think that the answer to an all-purpose vehicle is a tall & unaerodynamic box, dramatically sacrificing chassis dynamics in order to look bigger than the vehicle really is. Then instead of calling them "tall wagons" or "minivans", they invent names for their ungainly "activity vehicles". Thus, the RAVs, CRVs, Elements, XDs, etc., are all generously roomy around the head and shoulders (where it doesn't matter much!), but unfortunately, also miserable to drive and not very stellar on fuel. (Yes, these lightweight "cute utes" are far better on fuel than their trailer-towing cousins, but that's not a very difficult feat).

For the record, i wish someon

reply to this comment
motomoto - 7/23/2007 6:37:39 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
...someone would offer real reliability statistics to their claims that VW is unreliable. Forbes reported in July 2006 that Toyota had the second highest recall percentage to Ford -- over 10% of the Toyotas on the road were subject to a recall. <<www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2006/0703/058b.html>>
Perhaps people mistakenly attribute dealer issues with manufacturer problems?


atomicbriatomicbri - 7/23/2007 7:03:48 PMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well put moto.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 8:46:47 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The passat wgn is a good car, but the outback is more versatile than the passag off road. Thts the reason my aunt traded in her passat for the outbk since ny winters are harsh and 4wd is a must.


Will_Will_ - 7/24/2007 7:36:57 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
How does stating Toyota's recall record vindicate VW's reliability track record?


atomicbriatomicbri - 7/24/2007 8:26:53 AMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
it shows Toyota is on the path to VW reliability issues... that's what it does... Oh the woes of real volume production!


motomoto - 7/25/2007 10:56:02 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Will, many "reliability" surveys do not accurately tally what vehicle problem occurs. While ideally nothing should ever malfunction on a vehicle, there is indeed an important difference between a recallable failure -- which is safety-related and poses economic risk to the consumer -- versus finicky little gadget problems or user-interface issues that are annoying but not particularly important.

In many cases, the problems that people report on their ultra-luxury cars are nit-picky little issues on vehicle features that are not even offered on mainstream cars. We have seen customers return their car because they didn't like the straightness of the stitching on their leather seat, and they demanded the seat be replaced. Another customer didn't read the user's manual and could not properly function the memory recall features of the power seat and steering column, so she complained when they moved to a position that wasn't the setting she intended. She returned the car and claimed it defective, though we found it functioned perfectly. Are these reliability problems? I'll go with the far less subjective recall statistics, which are much more stringently assessed and well documented.


zorbeezezorbeeze - 7/23/2007 7:40:53 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
For starters they should realise their actual competition is Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Pontiac, Chevy, etc. and not Lexus, Infinity, BMW, Audi, MB and so on.
If they are able to undertand that and charge a reasonable price and improve the quality of their cars then they'll succeed. What ever happened to VW being the peoples car. Why have they moved so far away from that?

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/23/2007 10:05:21 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
the accord starts @ 18k as the passat is 21-22k. 166 hp if im not mistaken and even though the 200 hp turbo 4 gives more oomph, it uses a little more gas and isnt abargain. Do ur research bfore making true statements.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/24/2007 7:57:06 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
whoops I'm wrong, msrp for the passat is 23k! flame me if you want, but tht is overpriced for the family sedan segment when the sonata @ cars direct went to 16k. no wonder hyundai is doing so well and VW is in the wrong direction...


Htay7500Htay7500 - 7/24/2007 7:48:03 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000100&sid=apvQFgouljDA

reply to this comment
r_driver04r_driver04 - 7/24/2007 9:53:26 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
VW builds safe and good driving automobiles for people who can't afford BMWs. The sad part is that much like BMW and Mercedes, their reliability is crap. No matter where they build their cars, your window motor will fail at 20K miles. Or your check engine light will flash at 5k miles. VW needs to focus on building a reliable car "for the people".

reply to this comment
EnnNorakEnnNorak - 7/24/2007 10:46:18 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
r_driver04, i dont think its the window motor. It's probably a power window switch made by Siemens that has lead contacts that oxidize and stop conducting electricity. Those switches are a real bitch to take apart and put together again without destroying them. Best to just buy a new switch at some horrible price. You can easily test to see if it's the switch by jumping appropriate wires at the switch connector and see if you can get the window to go up and down. Don't do this without first consulting the correct circuit diagram as you may cause a short and have sparks fly. Another problem used to be that the wiring to the door at the door hinge area would break due to metal fatigue in the wires by opening and closing the door many times over the years. The fix for that is to splice in some extra wire that you first coil around a pencil of pen so that opening and closing the door flexes a flexible coil instead of a straight wire, It can take a couple of hours to do this but it's a permanent fix.


dumpstydumpsty - 7/24/2007 11:00:23 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
VW's pricing is a bit askewed. The Eos (which is basically a 2-dr Jetta vert) starts at $10k more than the base Jetta. The base Touareg MSRP cost $10k more than the Passat wagon. $38k for base V6 Touareg? $48k for the V8? Huh? Are they really trying to compete?

VW has these wide gaps in their pricing ranges that just doesn't seem right. It's like GM offering a V6 Tahoe for $35k. (The base Tahoe has a V8 standard, no V6 is offered for this vehicle.) I can purchase an AWD TrailblazerSS for less than $35k.

reply to this comment
dumpstydumpsty - 7/24/2007 11:21:30 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
My point is:

In VW's attempt to price their lineup such that they didn't cannibalize each other, they ended-up pricing their vehicles so high that VW core customers were simply "priced out" of the VW of their choice.

VW was aware that their own vehicles were cross-shopped against each other (wagons vs SUV vs 5-dr hatches). So they created pricing gaps to indicate the level of purchase.

This led loyal customers to seek their next vehicle from some other maker at more "reasonable" prices.


motomoto - 7/25/2007 11:05:01 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The Eos is hand built in Portugal, has a power retracting top and much higher aluminum content. The Jetta is manufactured in Mexico. No surprise on the cost difference.

The Touareg is a much more complicated AWD system than the Passat's, not to mention the lower volume manufacturing.

Comparing the AWD Passat or Subaru Outback wagon to the Trailblazer SS, I know which vehicle i'd NOT choose. I like Chevy, and have owned a couple over the years, but they have lost their focus. I rented a Trailblazer during a trip to Glacier National Park a couple summers back. The damn transmission drove me crazy, the fuel economy was lousy, and the wind noise intolerable. But everyone has his preference...


mini22mini22 - 7/24/2007 2:06:46 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Getting back to the original question"Does VW understand what North American Customers want?"the answer is partially. The cars that show VW is understanding what NA wants are the base Rabbit,the GTI, and the EOS. The Jetta and Passat models(which should be VW's "bread and butter" are simply over priced and not large enough compared with Honda,Toyota,Nissan,Mazda,Hyundai,and Kia. The average Jetta should be priced with a Corolla,Mazda 3,Honda Civic etc. It becomes more expensive then some of the high performance versions of these cars for a middle of of the road car.Same is true of the Passat. The turbo four is a good motor but for a lower price and a V6 you can get a number of models from all the Jap makes that offer more bang for the buck. When you through reliability issues and perceived reliability issues that's why VW is losing their shirt in NA.If the plants in Mexico are using Euro imported parts then the VW is not taking advantage of the exchange rate problem.Parts need to be sourced in NA with a plant in NA. All the major Jap and now Korean car makers have plants here. By importing from Europe and because VW canot charge what Audi and other high car makers charge it is a no win situation for them. They must build cars and source parts in NA,work on quality control in production,and build products that at least match what is built by it's Pacific competitors.The competition is stronger then ever and VW needs to step up to the plate if it's going to be successful in NA.

reply to this comment
ElSparquitoElSparquito - 7/25/2007 11:54:20 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I still confused as to the market share that VW is after. They tried to generate some machismo with their ads for the GTI (the Fast/free rockin' guitar/unpimp/etc.) and then they rename the car that the GTI is based on - the Rabbit???

They can keep the Tiguan, too. Stupid name for a product that is at least 3 years too late. It'll be a premium priced mini-ute with a turbo 4 <cough, cough> RDX anyone?

Couple of suggestions to VW:
-Redo the exterior of the Eos to make it at least
appear more aggressive. Actually, redo just about
-Drop the "Rabbit" & bring back the "Golf"
-Bring over the Scirocco in AWD and leave the R32
Europe only (the Rabbit stigma will only detract
from the R32's allure)
-Drop the price on the Jettas/Passats to be more
competitive w/Honda/Toyota (leave upscale pricing to
Audi)
-Increase clean diesel effort & offer on all models
-If you're gonna offer the Tiguan, make it a diesel
then you'll have no competition.
-Do not offer rebates, but offer better financing
options.


What VW does have is a great 2.0 turbo 4, wonderful DSG tranny, great interiors, efficient diesels, and a sporting majority stakeholder (Porsche).


reply to this comment
mini22mini22 - 7/25/2007 4:43:41 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well the Sirroco is fine to bring over but AWD will simply up the price. Thats the one thing VW can't be selling-higher priced vehicles. I think they should drop the GLI Jetta,only import the GTI 4DR and do not import the R32. That leaves the Sirroco as the sports car of the group. The FWD should be fine for the price range. The Eos could be a little more agressive looking but I think it will appeal to women quite well as it is. As for the Tiguan again it's ok but I would change the name for the US.(Remember Mazda sells the CX7 which is a turbo 4 as well and that car starts under 30 grand.)With the exception of the Sirroco VW entire car line should have a diesel option.The Passat,Rabbit and Jetta need to be made in America sourced with American parts(at least 75%)to overcome the exchange problems.

reply to this comment
To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories
BMW 3 Series Sedan and Wagon Facelift show up at German dealershipsMercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Billboard AdvertisementsA Driver's Paradise - A Country Club For RacingIt's Getting Deep: Auto Maker's Propaganda Machines Continue To Pump Out Bull Crap In An Effort To Bolster Sales!Camping with the new Volkswagen TiguanNissan GT-R pricing increased for 2009Video: Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR's record Nurburgring runFiat to manufacture world’s cheapest car by 2010VW hints that the Microbus might be coming back after allMysterious "Project B" Mustang concept to debut at SEMAMercedes GL Class facelift spied almost undisguised2009 Honda Civic Sedan and Hybrid Facelift Released in JapanDiesel variants of the Subaru Impreza & Forester heading for Paris2010 Ford Mustang photographed driving around2009 Toyota HiLux Facelift - Official details & PicturesFord decides to reveal the 2009 Ford Focus RS again, this time in ParisHyundai will show the i20 i-blue concept in ParisAgent 00J's $100,000 Challenge: Whose Car Collection Will Reign Supreme?AUDI AG Records Significant Growth in European Export Markets During AugustWhich is Faster, The RS6 Or The R8? The Answer May Surprise YouToyota Remains Unconvinced That US Auto Sales Have Hit Bottom YetLexus Outlines 2009 Model Year ChangesGM Facts and Fiction: GM Tells It Like It Is. Tuning: Brabus B63 S breaks cover BMW worldwide August sales up 2 percentDo You Agree? LA Times Blame Big 3 Problems On Unfair Foreign Competiton!Paris Motor Show: Subaru Debuts Diesel Forester And ImprezaBMW's Newest Baby SUV The X2 Breaks Cover - Is BMW On The Right Track?Renntec Mercedes C63 AMGFerrari Enzo Replacement SpiedNew Jaguar XF-R Spy Shots from California DesertSarah Palin Opens A Can Of Alaskan Whoop-Ass On Obama And Democrats-But What Does She Drive?Recall Issued for 2009 Jaguar XFCONFIRMED: Chevrolet Volt to be revealed this monthStudy: Women get ’turned on by engine sounds of MaseratisLamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 gets diamond wheels and pink brakesWill Buyers Be Willing To Settle For A 4 Cylinder BMW, Or It That Just Too Far Of A StretchUpcoming Beetle Design Will Inject More TestostoroneRumor: Ferrari working on a 430 Scuderia Spider2010 Chevrolet Camaro orders start next monthHyundai to show Santa Fe hybrid concept in ParisIs Imitation The Sincerest Form Of Flattery? Honda Releases Their Own Prius Look Alike!2009 Mazda MX-5 FaceliftCitroen reveals new hybrid conceptEarly look at America-bound Ford C-MaxSpies Become MythBusters When It Comes To Your Options If You Think You've Bought A LemonIs BMW The Company Actually Behind The Audi A4 Driving Experience App?NHTSA Sides With Toyota On Unintended Acceleration Issues Claiming 400 Owners Had No CaseChrysler Still Sits In The Basement, Sales Down 34% For AugustHow Low Should It Go? Analysts Predict Oil To Plunge As Low As $80 A Barrel!