VW quality push delays launch of new Eos model
Volkswagen announced Tuesday that it is delaying the launch of the Eos coupe-cabriolet by two months, to May 2006,
because of quality issues.
VW Brand Group chief Wolfgang Bernhard has committed to cutting warranty costs by more than $580 million by 2008 as
part of the company's drive to boost profits, and this means that warranty claims for cars less than a year old must
drop to half current levels by 2008.
The quality drive aims not only at reducing warranty costs, but also at improving VW's quality reputation with
consumers - J.D. Power's dependability survey currently ranks VW 34th out of 37 brands.
VW will launch five to ten new models by 2008, so ironing out manufacturing bugs like those delaying the Eos launch is
vital to the success of Bernhard's restructuring plan.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ryan 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
So what? VW has to bring this car up to VW standards HA, can we please have a car as reliable as a Jetta, Please! NOT
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MattS 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Wait, VW? Quality Problems? Product Delays?
This doesn't compute...
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Will B. 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
As the non-proud owner of a 2003 VW Jetta, it's good to finally see VW acknowledging their quality control problems BEFORE they turn the car over to the market. Now, if they can get the quality control problems in their Puebla plant under control, and convince the U.S. market that quality control is a foremost priority, then maybe they'll get back on track in the country. Having a hot model like the Eos will certainly raise their profile, but if they back the model introduction up with the lackluster service and support that has been common over the past few years, then their credibility and profitability will go further down the crapper.
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s 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
i bet you it's the retracking hard top.
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naggs 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
vw has serious problems. nothing makes your cars look worse than seeing them brand new with 1 headlight out. disgraceful.
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voice of reason 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
#3 - Amen, brother/sister
At least it's nice to HEAR about VW wanting to improve quality. Now if only that new Jetta didn't look like a Corolla . . .
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Carlos 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
In pictures of the new Golf and Eos, I've noticed that the drivers look really small. Is the new car that much larger than the outgoing generation?
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Dr. Woo 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Carlos: Yes, the new A-platform VW cars are significantly larger. My 2001 Audi A4 feels a lot tighter inside than the new Golf.
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VW-Guy 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Dr. Woo - you've been inside the new Golf? I got the impression you lived in North America somewhere, am I wrong?
Yes, VW quality is on the way up. Just look at the new Jetta for proof of this. Now all VW has to do is get some fresh, motivated and focused blood in management and...
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Peter W. 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
I'm still skeptical.... seeing as this is VW-Europe and not VW-USA they are talking about.
I'm still not sure what models VAG is planning to bring over for 2006... Any news for the Golf/GTI V? Will the death of the Phaeton free up some spaces in ships for Polos? At this point VW-USA might just have to wait on the VI platform to come out.
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Chico 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
4. Posted Nov 15, 2005, 6:10 PM ET by s
i bet you it's the retracking hard top.
Well, youre wrong.
The hard top works just fine.
I know, Ive assembled some :)
Its a great car.
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