http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/ Autoblog Comments for 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/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 8:39AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 9:08AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 9:28AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 9:33AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
Why everyone else sticks to the small or full size truck is beyond me. Ones too small, ones too big. As Matias said, Dakota needs some competition.]]>Mar 10th 2008 9:35AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
But is was originally intended for Mercosur and SADC markets, with I5 diesels and the 90° V6 petrol engine. I doubt there will be an initial "luxury" edition for US customers. Emerging markets have to be satisfied first.
]]>Mar 10th 2008 12:18PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 9:40AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
VW has ALWAYS given the U.S. models that were adaptations of products they sold elsewhere, and that worked for a few decades. But the companies they THINK they can overtake, have been building U.S. specific models for DECADES. VW will never get close to the numbers in sales Toyota enjoys in the U.S. until it starts looking at the U.S. as more than just an outlet for excess production.]]>Mar 10th 2008 9:42AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
If they offered a larger pickup like the Taro or even a Touareg pickup like the AAC Concept from a few years back, it wouldn't seem right since VW is primarily known as a smaller car manufacturer. Maybe once the new smaller P/U makes headway, then they could bring out the others.

Regarding the reliabilty factor. It's been said in other posts, but reliability anymore is damn good all around. Even those on the bottom are still quite reliable vehicles. Reliability is measured in problems per 100 vehicles. At the top, you may have an automaker who has 1.3 probs./100 vehicles and at the bottom, it may be 3.5/100 vehicles. Hardly a huge difference.

I'm on my 2nd VW, both of which are Mk4 models which had the majority of the problems in recent years. The two biggest issues dealt with window regulators and coil packs. I had the regulators replaced in both my cars after they failed and it took a few hours at the dealer. No big deal and it has not resurfaced(nor have I heard of anyone else having a recurrance). I only had the coilpacks replaced on my current car and that was a supplier issue(unlike the design issue like the window regulator). Again, it was fixed quickly by my dealer and under warranty as well.

Both of these issues have long been solved(for at least 5yrs) and are not present in current models. In fact, they were really relegated to the Mk4 range(and only certain models at that).

VW's are traditionally quite reliable. Look at how many older(from the 50's and beyond) VW's you see around. I see far more Beetles, 1st and 2nd gen Jettas, Rabbits, and Passats around than any number of similar vintage vehicles. VW did slip for a few years, but they've solved the issues and reliabilty numbers have gotten better and should continue to rise.]]>Mar 10th 2008 9:57PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
Still, I can't help but wonder what VW's "hook" is going to be once they've engineered out ~25% of the cost of their cars. The brand's current models really don't stand out in any area besides interior design. They're nothing special to look at or to drive. Mazda does Fahrvergnugen far better these days.

Then there's the reliability rap. As far as matching Toyota goes, I still think Winterkorn has an awfully vivid imagination...]]>Mar 10th 2008 9:47AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/ Another option they have is to buy Chrysler. With their resources they could transfer Jeep into a great brand.]]>Mar 10th 2008 9:55AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 11:49AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 9:57AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
When will these guys learn? Until they can produce high-reliability products that last, they'll be behind the eight-ball. How many of us know at least a few people who suffered through misery with a Jetta, or nightmares with an old Passat? I know I did. It's not about the quality of materials - their interiors look and feel great - it's about the way they are put together, from the endless rattles, the broken power windows, the starters that don't work to the big engine issues, etc. Until VW gets this straight, they'll suffer in the market.

As for product line, VW thought it could move upscale. They forgot that Americans don't view VW that way - VWs are sporty, young, fun, engaging cars. I recently went to price out a Passat V6, and ended up with a $38,000 car. Are you kidding? The Passat needs to compete head-on with the Accord, and the Jetta should go head-to-head with the Mazda3. That's the right price-point to drive up sales, if the product is of good quality. ]]>Mar 10th 2008 10:07AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
Totally agree. Smaller Passat = Jetta.

Love my Passat. Would buy it again.]]>Mar 10th 2008 10:10AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
It's good to have ambitious goals, but to rise and overtake several other well-entrenched auto brands already, you almost need something revolutionary. Unless these new VW's run on seawater or some form of pixie dust, I can't envision them even getting close to their goals. And that's a shame.]]>Mar 10th 2008 10:12AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 10:18AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
Come on. Don't call it the Masai or some made-up word ending in "an". ]]>Mar 10th 2008 10:25AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/Mar 10th 2008 10:27AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/10/vws-plan-for-the-u-s-include-smaller-passat-replacement-picku/
Both the Jetta and New Beetle that are sold in Europe are coming from...Mexico as well. Maybe some used materials and the standard equipment (altough in Europe almost everything is an option on a VW) is inferior compared to the euro versions, but the built quality must be the same.]]>Mar 10th 2008 1:03PM