VW boss says no Scirocco for North America

rybo submitted on 11/20/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 10:44 PM
from: www.motorauthority.com

[57] user comments | category: Spy Shots

Tags: Volkswagen

Volkswagen

We first heard of the possibility Volkswagen could ignore the U.S. market for the launch of the new Scirocco back in May when VW of America exec Adrian Hallmark said in an interview “we don’t want it.” The reason being, Hallmark explained, was because it would cannibalize sales of the “iconic” GTI and, to a lesser extent, the Eos convertible.

In the weeks following those comments, a VW spokesman said no confirmation had been made and any final decision would come from CEO Martin Winterkorn closer to the car’s launch at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.

The CEO of Volkswagen of America, Stefan Jacoby, has now revealed to Car and Driver that the Scirocco will not be returning to North American shores. Read Article

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LexSucks - 11/21/2007 3:09:28 PM

+4 Boost

Who cares what Consumer Reports recommends? These are cars, not microwaves.

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EnnNorak - 11/21/2007 3:54:05 PM

+3 Boost

Cannibalization is good for the consumer as the best model wins. Evidently too many auto executives lack vision and are afraid their corporate culture will ruin their career so they rely on flawed marketing studies rather than think for themselves. No wonder the auto industry is suffering.

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ThierryHenry14 - 11/21/2007 9:24:21 AM

+3 Boost

I was thinking too bad...

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ThierryHenry14 - 11/21/2007 9:24:58 AM

+4 Boost

it would have added some "spice and flavor" to a quite bland looking VW line-up.

t_bone - 11/21/2007 9:42:21 AM

+7 Boost

Yeah, and nobody was interested in the Microbus Concept either, right?

My hope is that after Porsche aquires VW they start taking some of the "risks" that they so badly need to...or at least the right ones (cough-Phaeton-cough).

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DaHarder - 11/21/2007 11:18:53 AM

+6 Boost

Just not ones like the (inappropriately labeled) upcoming PASSAT '4D-Coupe'...

Cynical - 11/21/2007 3:56:13 PM

+1 Boost

Or the Panamera - that thing just did not translate well (at least from the spy shots)

Htay7500 - 11/22/2007 4:14:28 PM

+1 Boost

are YOU blind? Europe is a dfferent market than the US. While Vw is fine over there, they are certainly stuggling in the US being the #1 in recalls and having years of bad reliability, which is hurting themselves.

Htay7500 - 11/22/2007 4:16:39 PM

+1 Boost

wrong reply. Sry.

mini22 - 11/21/2007 11:24:40 AM

+6 Boost

Obviously VW feels they know what their doing. Of course the've lost millions in the US. My feeling is"they don't know what their doing"

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Star - 11/21/2007 11:50:38 AM

-5 Boost

VW's problem in America is Consumer Reports, not their management or the quality of their cars(which is exceptional in comparison with trash like Honda and Toyota). While people that buy luxury cars are less influenced by the ratings in ridiculous publications like CR because they know they can afford the supposed risk(according to CR) of owning a Mercedes or BMW, the segment of the population that affords only cars in the VW price range feels differently about that. These are poor people that don't have any idea what a good car is, picking up the latest issue of CR and making a choice based on the numbers of red dots vs black dots.
This is the reason for which VW is the best seller in Europe where people buy cars based on real life experiences and not such a great seller in a place where people are TOLD what to buy.

LexSucks - 11/21/2007 3:12:02 PM

+2 Boost

Consumer Reports Recomendations do not mean anything!

Only a fool would use CR to make a car buying decision.

Htay7500 - 11/21/2007 6:51:32 PM

0 Boost

lmao star. then why has VWNA lost nearly a billion dollars? when did VW ever mention CR is the problem? I laugh at your intelligence.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2007 1:27:05 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Star, you're wrong. You call me a "blind Audi fanboi," but even I can see the flaws in VW's American products. The Jetta is über-bland unless you get the GLI. The Passat is overpriced and over-engineered. Their cars are simply not reliable, which is a necessity with "econoboxes." I love the way most VWs look and drive, but I can't say that I would own one in confidence. The only one I'd very seriously consider is the GTI--from the experience that I've had with my A3, I know its mechanicals are flawless. But the others?

VW just needs improvement, so badly. I don't know what they've done wrong, but with the US market on their side they could be a MUCH bigger company. Haven't they slipped from the top five biggest car companies? Are Honda and Nissan bigger?

And, BTW, whoever lumps Audi reliability in with VW is just incorrect. I don't know how they've managed to make their simpler cars (VW) less reliable than their luxury cars (Audi), but according to all reputable sources, they have. I have had virtually trouble-free experiences with the three Audis I have personally owned (and the one I bought for my son), and I expect the same from the new BMW X5 that we ordered, which I will be picking up soon (it's at the dealer).

Star - 11/22/2007 11:12:53 AM

-2 Boost

Htay7500 you seem retarded. Is hard to believe that somebody is not capable of understanding such simple things..but you managed. Keep getting dumber every day...read CR.

Star - 11/22/2007 11:42:13 AM

0 Boost

"You call me a "blind Audi fanboi," but even I can see the flaws in VW's American products"

??? You see VW flaws but not Audi's flaws??? If you wanted to PROVE your fanboi attitude again, you succeeded by making statements like that. More than 70% of the parts used in VW cars are Audi parts(yes Audi label is on them!). Your attempt to discredit VW while trying to make it look like Audi is a totally different brand is just pathetic. If you think VW is overpriced than that makes Audi pricing look downright ridiculous. I mean the GTI looks so much better than an Audi A3 inside, it drives better and it cost less. Same with the VW 32 vs the Audi A3 3.2 quattro. VW R32 is a blast to drive the A3 with the same engine,not so much. You call the Passat overpriced when an Audi A4 is in fact a lesser car sold for more money? That's just unbelievable.
Rabbit or Jetta trump everything in their price range with a 170 HP engine(unmatched in class) and extremely low pricing. You can get a 170 HP Jetta for the same price as a 130HP Civic. Jetta is more powerful, roomier, the interior looks a class above, it has a lot more standard features,..but you think that's overpriced? Right...By the way the CR thinks a Jetta is more reliable than a GTI or an Audi A3 so your theory about reliability is faulty.

I would take any day a VW over an Audi for the simple reason that what you get with Audi is just a different badge. Exception of course are the S and RS which are the only Audis worth to be taken in consideration. The rest of Audi line are VWs with Audi badges, nothing more.

Htay7500 - 11/22/2007 3:38:03 PM

+1 Boost

your telling me to read CR, which makes me a dumbass. then you say they recommend the jetta. um ok, you win...

Star - 11/22/2007 3:59:54 PM

0 Boost

I said that in response to somebody making a ridiculous claim about the reliability of the Jetta. I don't care what CR says but people that claim that VW is unreliable seem to believe is the Automotive Bible. Now their Automotive Bible says Jetta is reliable. So let's cut the c**p and accept the reality. VWs are reliable cars. Europe knows it, is time for the uneducated car buyer in America to learn that.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/23/2007 12:34:44 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

"More than 70% of the parts used in VW cars are Audi parts(yes Audi label is on them!)."

Prove it. I'm not just going to believe you because you say so. You don't work for VW.

"Your attempt to discredit VW while trying to make it look like Audi is a totally different brand is just pathetic."

Look, guy. I love VW. I had a Rabbit long ago, before you were a fetus. But they have many problems in the American market, and that, you can't deny. I WISH they didn't and I'm not trying to "discredit" them--I'm trying to analyze them. HOW can they fix it? It's not just CR as you claim. It's so much more than that. They have a reputation for unreliable cars! Like, REALLY unreliable cars. Breaking down, catching on fire, etc. That is something I would be concerned about... minor electronic glitches in German cars are fine. But an engine fire is not something to overlook. Yes, I know it doesn't really happen often, but that's just one example.

"If you think VW is overpriced than that makes Audi pricing look downright ridiculous."

How so? Audi is a luxury brand. If you can sit here and deny that, well, you're an idiot. Their cars are as good or better than anyone else's. They price them accordingly. And as you claim, NO, the bulk of their lineup is not VW-based. It's only the A3, Q7 and TT. The rest use their own platforms and structures, and even the TT (aluminum and steel) and Q7 (stretched six inches) are largely different from their VW counterparts. I'm not saying that because I want it to be true. I'm saying that because it IS true, whether you think so or not.

Even if they were all VW-based, would I care? No. As long as they performed as well as they do now, it wouldn't make any difference to me. Just like how I don't consider the Toyota-based Lexuses to be a bad thing (except the LX. Why not buy a Land Cruiser???), the three VW-based Audis are still excellent cars. And the Lambo-based Audi? Well, we won't even go there...

"I mean the GTI looks so much better than an Audi A3 inside, it drives better and it cost less."

I bought the A3 because I PERSONALLY like it better than the GTI. Is that too hard for you to understand? The A3 in fact drives just as well or better than the GTI, it's quicker, it costs nearly the same (try optioning up a GTI and see how fast the price skyrockets!), and the A3 interior uses real aluminum, as opposed to VW's faux stuff.

"You call the Passat overpriced when an Audi A4 is in fact a lesser car sold for more money? That's just unbelievable."

The Passat IS overpriced. The A4 is a good price for the class. The Passat competes with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, etc. But it can't compete, because it's too expensive. Yes, I know it's an awesome sedan with a great interior and great engines, but look at it from the BUYER'S perspective. Why would they want to get this supposed unreliable VW for more money than a Toyota, when they don't care how it drives? They just want to get from point A to point B. V

S4cabriofoxone - 11/23/2007 12:36:48 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

--continued--

VW gives you an experience. Toyota gives you something comfortable and easy, nothing more. Most American buyers don't want an "experience."

"Rabbit or Jetta trump everything in their price range with a 170 HP engine(unmatched in class) and extremely low pricing. You can get a 170 HP Jetta for the same price as a 130HP Civic. Jetta is more powerful, roomier, the interior looks a class above, it has a lot more standard features,..but you think that's overpriced?"

No! Thank you for reminding me! I love the Rabbit, and I know it's not overpriced. But why aren't people buying it? You answer that for me. It looks much more expensive than it is. It DRIVES much more expensive than it is. It's practical. It's comfortable. VW even advertised it a ton when it came out. So where did the buyers go? I honestly have no idea.

"By the way the CR thinks a Jetta is more reliable than a GTI or an Audi A3 so your theory about reliability is faulty."

You're trying to tell me that just because VW has ONE reliable car, their lineup is more reliable than Audi's? LOL. As an A3 OWNER and not a speculator, I can say that the A3 is a reliable car. The only problem I've encountered since buying it in January '06 is how it can take a couple tries to start in cold weather.

BTW, why would you quote CR, if you said you didn't trust them?

"I would take any day a VW over an Audi for the simple reason that what you get with Audi is just a different badge. Exception of course are the S and RS which are the only Audis worth to be taken in consideration. The rest of Audi line are VWs with Audi badges, nothing more."

You are absolutely wrong. Why can't you see that? If you love the other German brands and claim to be a somewhat rational person, why can't you admit the truth in the matter that Audis are completely different from VWs? If you can't see it, there's no reason for me to try to prove it to you. Because you'll never "believe" me. What will it take? How can you sit there and remain ignorant when you know--in the depths of your brain--the truth?

atomicbri - 11/21/2007 11:48:34 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Let's hope Porsche does get VW to take a bit more of a risk in the marketplace. Already there is talk on learning some of Porsche's tech on weight saving techniques to at least get the weight down on core models like the Golf and Jetta. But no Scirocco?? Not sure this is a good idea especially if they cn get it to market before Toyota's proposed new Celica (even if it is Euro market only) and would be better than a Mitsubishi Eclipse IMO.

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stevenv1999 - 11/21/2007 11:52:36 AM

0 Boost

Porsche already has controling interest in Volkswagen and so they have the final word if they push any issue.

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Tour18 - 11/21/2007 12:28:11 PM

+4 Boost

Adrian Hallmark and Chris Bangle must have gone to the same school. You know, the one that teaches the "Don't give the customers what they want" philosophy...

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Star - 11/21/2007 1:28:46 PM

-2 Boost

Apparently the rest of the world likes what VW and BMW offer. What customers want in America is what Customer Reports tells them they should want. That's the problem here. The customer doesn't want good cars, all it wants is the APROVAL and RECOMANDATION of CR. Sad but true.

zorbeeze - 11/21/2007 1:48:17 PM

+2 Boost

Could you stop with psycho bable consumer reports BS.
Nobody has ever told me what car to buy and i would never purchase a VW. I have seen enough horror stories from a car catching on fire to a muffler collapsing on my employees head.

Star - 11/21/2007 4:07:34 PM

-2 Boost

Hey zorbeeze..If you make decisions with your own head, good for you but you are an exception to the rule here.

Star - 11/21/2007 4:11:07 PM

0 Boost

krautm you are such a good example of the braiwashing done by CR.

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Bill - 11/22/2007 3:53:19 AM

0 Boost

KrautM is a good example of a FAKE.

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answer - 11/21/2007 4:44:33 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

That's a pretty stupid decision.

Good looking car.

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Rupert - 11/21/2007 5:38:59 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

See in a few years I could really be doing with a car like this - relitavely small, easy on the MPG, good looking...it's a good move. If I get one in Europe I'll tell you all about it :)

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2007 1:29:21 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"one is the world's best known and most deisrable mass luxury brand."

I would say that's Mercedes-Benz. Or even Porsche, if you consider that "mass" luxury.

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S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2007 1:34:33 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

"a POS badly run company that is driven by cost control and a fwd set of chassis. nothing."

BTW, if you still haven't realized why VW NEEDS to have FWD cars, you are completely uneducable. Why do you think Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Chevy, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Ford, Chrysler and even MINI have FWD cars as their bread-and-butter?

BECAUSE THEY NEED THEM. A lot of people who buy those cars would die within an hour if they took a RWD car out in the dead of winter. They don't know they have to get snow tires, they don't know how to drive (!) in bad weather, they don't know how RWD cars act in it... and FWD comes to save the day. As much as it may "ruin" dynamics (which it doesn't, check out the MINI Cooper, Civic Type-R, VW GTI, Audi A3), it is exceptionally practical and a necessity for mass-market cars like VW. They would lose 50% of their sales if they switched. The only feasible option would be to make RWD cars available in their lineup, but keep the Jetta/Passat/Rabbit etc. in FWD form.

Do you get it yet?

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Star - 11/22/2007 3:44:59 PM

+2 Boost

amazingbimmer While I love BMW just like you do(or almost as much) I find your hate against VW a little surprising. VW makes great cars in their price range and the prove is the fact that they are the best sold brand of car in Europe. Cars like VW GTI and R32 are really a blast to drive and you should not jump to conclusions before you tried one. BMW is great, but so is VW in its price range.

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cybernetck - 11/21/2007 6:16:10 PM

+1 Boost

It seems like the decision to bring the Scirocco has wavered between yes and no within the last year; we've heard this before, when the first R32 popped up in Europe some years back. I'm not sure what it would for VW sales, but if this car is critically acclaimed, I can't see why they wouldn't sell it here, in limited quantities.

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4x4rules - 11/21/2007 7:36:17 PM

+1 Boost

well thats too bad. I had a scirocco here in the states in the 90's and it was heavy and underpowered at the time. but I trashed that car over 100 k with track days and routine FAST long distance drives. only failure was an electric window motor. The corrado was much nicer-leaner more HP, and this fits more with that. it is too bad its not coming here but there are plenty of options at that price point.

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OBie - 11/21/2007 7:39:43 PM

+1 Boost

Here's an idea... Take the current "GTI", drop the moniker, and offer it as a Sport version of the Rabbit (which is what it basically is, a "hot" Rabbit; plus they do it already with the Jetta GLS). Then take the GTI name and place it on this car. That way the GTI would be a car of it's own and VW can justify pricing another hatchback in the 25k-30k range.

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Star - 11/22/2007 11:58:38 AM

-1 Boost

"Take the current "GTI", drop the moniker, and offer it as a Sport version of the Rabbit"

This is what the GTI is and is priced accordingly. At $23K the GTI is $1K more than the pathetic Honda Civic SI. It comes with an enormous amount of standard features including xenon lights(which are enough to make up for that $1000 alone). The GTI has 207 pounds of torque vs 139 in the SI, it looks like a luxury car in comparison and is priced obviously similarly to the Honda. In ANY other country in the world the GTI is much more expensive than the sport version of the Civic and nobody thinks is overpriced. In America where VWs are DIRT CHEAP people think they are overpriced. The Passat competes directly and beats the c**p out of the Acura TSX(European Honda Accord) in sales. In America where the Passat is competing with the pathetic American Accord it looses. If is not Consumer Reports what is it then? Uneducated buyers is what comes to mind. How is it posible for VW to win over Acura in Europe but lose against the anomalies sold under Honda badge here? Simple, is called Consumer Reports.

Rupert - 11/22/2007 12:47:35 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The GTI has always been a hot Golf though...they wouldn't call tis new car the GTI, it's sacrilege. They could easily call it the Scirroco GTI though.

Htay7500 - 11/22/2007 3:52:47 PM

+1 Boost

why does CR arouse you? Plus how should I believe you that passat owns the accord in sales if there isnt any proof? You need to stop fooling around with cr and come into the world of reality.

Star - 11/23/2007 11:48:12 AM

+1 Boost

What would YOU know about reality. You are still paying with dolls...

cRacKhEaDaLLeY - 11/22/2007 12:43:30 PM

+1 Boost

Can somebody explain me why almost EVERY Golf and Jetta I see driving around has a burnt tailight or headlight?? Does VW have a patent in burnt light bulbs?

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Star - 11/22/2007 3:46:05 PM

0 Boost

What?!? Are you sure they were not Civics or Corollas?

Htay7500 - 11/22/2007 4:02:58 PM

+2 Boost

If Im right, VW did issue a recall on burnt taillights earlier this year. It did make them the company with the most recalls of 07. But out of the ordinary, I might be called a dumbass and get deboosted for tht.

Star - 11/22/2007 4:24:35 PM

0 Boost

I am not going to waste my time answering to every post here since I'm not on VW payroll, but you should not let a bad experience(the Passat) transform you in a blind hater. I owned two Hondas(both of them new)and I had more problems with them then I had with all the other cars(37)I owned put together. Do I think Honda is the most unreliable car brand? No, I don't. Why? Because I know that there are no unreliable cars for sale on the market today. There is bad luck although and nobody is safe from it. Htay7500(by the way that sounds like an appropriate name for a cyborg)Happy Thanksgiving to you and to the other car noobs here. Cheers!

Htay7500 - 11/22/2007 4:37:35 PM

0 Boost

maybe because Honda isn't in any trouble?

so your saying you're the know-it-all about cars? at least Im smart enough to not compare an sti/evo to a 911.

"by the way that sounds like an appropriate name for a cyborg"

at least I'm not scared to reveal my last name for an account name.

Star - 11/22/2007 6:28:57 PM

0 Boost

"maybe because Honda isn't in any trouble?"

What is that have to do with anything I said? Is VW in trouble? I don't think so...is still the best seller in Europe.

"Im smart enough to not compare an sti/evo to a 911."

As opposed to who? Who compared a 911 to an Evo?

"at least I'm not scared to reveal my last name for an account name."

I was talking about the numbers in combination with the letters. Sam3761 could be a project name as well You are a little too intense for your age. Take it easy...

RustHurricane - 11/23/2007 2:38:45 AM

-1 Boost

Thats VW's lost. Not ours.

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