It's official: Volkswagen not bringing Scirocco to U.S.
by Chris Paukert on Apr 6th 2009 at 3:28PM 
2009 Volkswagen Scirocco – Click above for high-res gallery
Word leaked late last week via an official-looking dealer communiqué that Volkswagen had finally decided to pass on bringing the Scirocco to the U.S., but to the best of our knowledge, nobody has gotten first-hand confirmation that the sporty hatchback will not make it across The Pond – until now.
We just got off the phone with Tom Wegehaupt, Volkswagen' of America's public relations coordinator, and he has given us an on-the-record confirmation that the car will not be coming to the U.S. Apparently, the business case just couldn't be made for the car, what with fears of the model cannibalizing sales of the forthcoming GTI and the health of the auto market.
We imagine that other factors were at work too, including the sour economy at large, America's historic aversion to hatchbacks, the short shelf-life of most sports-car models, and so on. Either way, if you want a sporting hatch from Wolfsburg, it looks like you're going to have to slake your performance joneses with something badged G-T-I.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Stumpy 3:33PM (4/06/2009)
!#!#%~@#%~@#%!%~@#%!$%!%!%!
breathe....
#$!$!$^!#$^#%!#$%!$%!#$%!#$%!#$%!
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Jake B 4:10PM (4/06/2009)
Wow I am glad I saw one up here cold winter testing a couple months ago. May be the only time I will see one :(
James 4:52PM (4/06/2009)
Simple.
Ditch the old New Beetle AND Eos...and send over the Scirocco!!!
ugg.tryptophan 7:38PM (4/06/2009)
It's official, VW hates its U.S. customers
MastrCake 3:34PM (4/06/2009)
Too bad...
I had a feeling it would've sold like Wiis in the 'States...
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archknight 3:45PM (4/06/2009)
I agree 100%, VW has nothing in it's lineup that's appealing to true sport enthusiasts. They offer the mundane GTI /R32 and call it sporty, when it actuality drives like something my parents want. Oh well, apparently they didn't want to pick up new market share. Blaming the economy for this is a lame excuse, seeing as there are still plenty of people willing to buy nice cars. Honestly, they probably saw cars like the Mustang, Camaro, and Genesis coupe, reality sank in that they couldn't truly compete in the price range with something so small and inadequate as the Scirocco.
zamafir 4:19PM (4/06/2009)
"They offer the mundane GTI /R32 and call it sporty, when it actuality drives like something my parents want. Oh well, apparently they didn't want to pick up new market share."
Newsflash, the Scirocco doesn't drive dramatically different than either car you mentioned, it handles a bit better in the turns due to the mag ride but that's about it. If you'd like to argue nothing they're selling is as appealing in terms of LOOKS than you're spot on, but 'sporty' when the only significant change vs the MkV is the suspension which should be an option on the MkVI GTI, pointless. Looks like you won't be missing another car your parents want.
Also, I’m guessing you’re in the minority re: the MkV GTI, most, if not all, domestic and European reviews loved the car, hailing it as the return of the GTI magic of yore.
naggs 3:28AM (4/07/2009)
the problem with all vdubs is the reliability. it they were as reliable as hondas they would sell even better.
jeffzekas 3:34PM (4/06/2009)
Volkswagen NOT bringing its COOLEST CAR to the USA?!!
Again, VW shoots itself in the foot!
Attention VW: remember WHO you are!
1. Peoples car: reliable, safe, well-built, affordable (Golf)
2. Performance cars: GTI and Scirocco
3. Girl cars: any VW convertible.
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RamblinReck89 4:13PM (4/06/2009)
Yeah...the Scirocco is the only VW that doesn't look like a girl car. Even the GTI looks girly.
1337 4:15PM (4/06/2009)
The Jetta looks pretty asexual. I would much rather have a Jetta TDI than a glorified Rabbit...er..Scirocco.
Ligor 4:46PM (4/06/2009)
+1
best looking VW by far. there is nothing else in their line i'd like to have except for maybe this one. but I won't even have to decide if I want one, VW just did for me. so i guess i won't need to bother looking at VW for a while longer.
Rev 5:58PM (4/06/2009)
The Jetta, the most feminine car on the road next to the Wabbit is "asexual"?
You go, girl!
As for me, I will celebrate that this means one less VW model to break down on the roads. And less femmeboys driving one more femme car...
Rich 7:02PM (4/06/2009)
Hey Rev, can you provide me with a list of VWs you've seen broken down? And you can't count the same one several times over just because I was messing with my fuel filter.
It really says something about your sexual confidence if you have to reassure yourself that you have a man-part by avoiding anything that a girl might find appealing. You stick to man cars though. Your man friends will love you for it.
Eric D-J 1:58AM (4/07/2009)
I hate it when people like Rev generalize a car brand as problematic without looking at the entire picture. You have to look at the problems with a brand and factor in the people who drive them.
I hear a lot of people say they have problems with their VW. Take for example our neighbor. Car looks like ish, dents dings, etc. Car is not well maintained. She complains about problems left and right. Car is an mk4 Jetta. We had an MK4 Jetta, it had every recall fixed, all the maintainance done to it. Had the cat not pass a code check once (warranty replace), and we had the water pump go out . Thats it for a 7 year old car. Take care of your ride and it takes care of you.
Some brands are associated with younger owners, and they don't always take care of their cars or they modify them in ways that cause issues.
I will say VW owners seem to never know when their bulbs are blown. They need to put sensors in to tell them they are blown.
Elon Musk 10:54AM (4/07/2009)
That is the problem with VW owners. A water pump and a cat went out in less than7 years, and they think it is "normal."
Beastage 3:39PM (4/06/2009)
What if American John Doe wants one anyway? can't he just order one from a VW dealer? considering it is almost identical to the golf, shouldn't be problem.
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MemphisNET 3:39PM (4/06/2009)
Call him back, find out if it's coming to Canada where we LOVE hatchbacks :D
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Tony 3:46PM (4/06/2009)
Actually I wouldn't be surprised if it ended here up in Canada(I live in Winnipeg) because VW GTI's are really popular here...but as far as the states are concerned, I don't think it would a successful product because of differing consumer preferences.
MemphisNET 3:53PM (4/06/2009)
Agreed. Lots of GTI's in Toronto & the GTA as well as London. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope yet.