http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/ Autoblog Comments for VW of America's plan for expansion: More core, less niche http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/ They have to adress their reliability problems on a war footing.]]>Sep 17th 2007 11:46AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 18th 2007 10:33PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 11:57AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
Yup. If you're going to be successful in the U.S. market, ditch all that high-quality, go fast goodies and give us 3rd row seating, 22" wheels, and cup holders! And cow bell... the new Golf is missing something. I think it needs more cow bell. ]]>Sep 17th 2007 12:08PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 2:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
VW does not offer the full model range here, has not committed to America, delays product introductions, and has suffered from negative dealer satisfaction, questionable attitude, and poor product quality scores (my 2 vehicles have had great reliability however).

VW can still command slightly premium pricing, but deliver the right product and features for it. I know from experience to get a VW after about 1 year from NA introduction before they go decontenting - if they haven't already. Currently you can't even get BLUETOOTH on even VW's most pricey models, and the NAVI systems are a generation behind. TDIs aren't available like they should be either. And there's no larger vehicle for people to move up into - Touareg is too expensive for many and wagons aren't vertical enough. Touran would have been an ideal stop-gap, and Tiguan can't come soon enough.

I really don't get VW. Give me the Euro product and I'll pay for it. Don't give me this Americanized crap or I'll go elsewhere. Competitors like Mazda continuously improve but VW does so much wishwashing, time and money wasting it's incredible.]]>Sep 17th 2007 12:09PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
More on topic however, I don't think this bodes well for VW.

The Mk5s are very interesting and I for one am on the edge of my seat waiting to see if they're more reliable than the Mk4s. If they are, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Despite the price premium. Because even though they're more expensive, the apparent quality is so much higher, it FEELS like you got more for the money too (As long as it stays out of the shop anyway).

VW owners tend to LIKE that over-engineered feeling, the way the cars are designed for european roads, not american traffic jams. Take that out, and you remove the VW from the VW...]]>Sep 18th 2007 8:48AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
Just because the entry and mid level luxury $30k+ car segment is the most profitable doesn't mean you can and should sell cars in it. These morons think you can change brand image in one model generation by moving options upmarket...yeah well VW is great evidence that quality must follow suit and that your market will not necessarily move with you. Shoppers of the competition in that market are extremely loyal and are not willing to leave their 3 or C for a new name to the game, especially one known for a "common mans" car.

Damn it VW, start making great normal persons cars again or you are gonna go the way of the Big 3...you have Audi and Bentley and Lambo, let them do what they do best and you stick to your game: THE PEOPLES CAR. ]]>Sep 17th 2007 12:15PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
What I don't to see is the decontenting and dumbing down of the driving dynamics and feel. Where will that get them? A rep for a similar car with no advantages and the reliability and dealer disadvantages. If they do that I might as well and will buy from another manufacturer - whether it be Audi/BMW or Honda/Acura/Mazda.]]>Sep 17th 2007 12:19PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 12:26PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
That comment about americanizing them is frightening. The only reason I would want one is for it to be MORE euro spec, not less. If I wanted that, I'd just by a chrysler sebring.

I'm more than ok with a car being 'over-engineered' for a little extra coin.

VW's biggest problem is with-holding extras and forcing you to buy expensive packages to get them. Only the rabbit had seat heaters standard, the rest required a package, not a simple accessory order.]]>Sep 17th 2007 2:37PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 1:18PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 1:18PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
This entire "people's car pie" has gone to the Japanese and the Koreans. Trying to get some of that pie is going to be tough and, probably for VW, unprofitable.

The "pie" VW should focus on, is the customer that wants spirited acceleration, precise handling, and nice interior materials.....and is willing to pay a little more for these traits.

Finally, VW needs to address the reliability issue. Sure, their engines can go 200,000 miles, but the rest of the car can't even come close. No buyer will buy a vehicle that needs to live in a dealer repair bay.

I was a VW customer, an Infiniti (instead of a Passat) now sits in my driveway.]]>Sep 17th 2007 1:24PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Better do your research article Author... VW made a record win in 2006 with 945,000,000Euro ($1,304,100,000), and in 2005 they made a win of 741,000,000Euro ($1,022,580,000) ...

http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/de/publications/2007/03/Abschluss_2006.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/2006_VWAG_Abschluss_deutschl.pdf

The officel 2006 VW blance sheet...

VW sold from 01-07/2007 3.61million cars world wide that is a increase of 8.1% ... ]]>Sep 17th 2007 2:22PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/
yeah that 2.5 liter is a marvel of modern enginering, it really comes together at 150 mph.

NOT

the simple fact is that you dont get a lot of car for your money when you buy a VW. when that changes, they will sell more.]]>Sep 17th 2007 1:34PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 1:55PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 2:17PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 2:26PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/vw-of-americas-plan-for-expansion-more-core-less-niche/Sep 17th 2007 2:33PM