Autoblog

Report: VW readying seven-passenger SUV

Zach Bowman — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Volkswagen, Rumormill

It looks like a few more details have shown up on the rumored addition to the Volkswagen SUV family. According to Auto Express, the newcomer will have its sights set dead on the American market and will boast seating for seven. It will also carry a slimmer price tag than the current Touareg, all of this courtesy of VW America guru Jonathan Browning.

Auto Express is also reporting that the new crossover/SUV will most likely be built here in the U.S. at the company's Chattanooga, Tennessee manufacturing facility alongside the new Passat.

The German automaker has made no secret of the fact that it wants nothing more than to carve out a larger chunk of the American auto market, and doing so will require a portfolio of vehicles that caters more specifically to Yankee tastes. By 2018, VW wants to sell 800,000 vehicles in the land of the free. Last year the company managed to move 256,830 units.

[Source: Auto Express]

Report: VW readying seven-passenger SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bloomberg: VW eying expanded SUV lineup for U.S.

Zach Bowman — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Volkswagen, Rumormill

2011 Volkswagen Touareg - Click above for high-res image gallery

All signs may be pointing to ever steeper gas prices by the end of the year, but according to Bloomberg, that may not be enough to stop Volkswagen from unleashing a new wave of SUVs (or more than likely, CUVs) on the American market. VW head honcho Jonathan Browning has been quoted as saying that the company wants to expand its portfolio of compact SUVs in short order, and that eventually, there may be room for growth in the larger SUV market as well. Of all the vehicles sold in the U.S. last year, SUVs and crossovers made up 29 percent of the mix.

As of right now, Volkswagen only offers two utility vehicles in the States - the compact Tiguan crossover, which, according to Bloomberg, sold 20,946 units last year and the larger Touareg SUV. Volkswagen only managed to move 4,713 Touareg models in the U.S. in 2010, but the new model (shown above) is expected to help the line's fortunes. The company's planned expansion of its SUV offerings is part of a larger offensive designed to net the company U.S. sales of one million vehicles by 2018. Doing so would mean tripling the company's current sales, so the automaker is invested in exploring new ways to bring buyers to the showroom.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

[Source: Bloomberg]

Bloomberg: VW eying expanded SUV lineup for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Suzuki SX4-based VW 'Rocktan' conjured up

Dan Roth — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Rumormill

According to Mibz.com, the Suzuki SX4 won't be pimped to just Fiat anymore (see: Sedici), Volkswagen is getting in on the act. Going after the small end of the market, VW is reportedly set to take advantage of its new 19.9 percent share of Suzuki and swiping the lovable little SX4 as the basis of a new model tentatively dubbed Rocktan.

Positioned as a city-sized crossover, the Rocktan theoretically slots in between the similarly tiny CrossPolo and Tiguan, though this is all unconfirmed at this point. Power will apparently not be from Suzuki, but rather from VW, likely the 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine and 1.6- and 2.0-liter TDI diesels. This could be mere grist for the rumormill, or we could soon see a Nissan Juke-sized VolkZuki. For now, all we've got are dreams of another flavor of the friendly SX4.

[Source: Mibz.com]

Rendered Speculation: Suzuki SX4-based VW 'Rocktan' conjured up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW's Jacoby outlines future U.S. product strategy, plans to take over the world

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

Volkswagen's Stefan Jacoby has his sights set on turning the German company into the largest automaker in the world. Oh, and he also plans to turn a profit in the process. Perhaps someone should remind him how that's gone for Toyota and General Motors over the last few decades? Just like any proper plan to attack the global automotive market, VW's strategy includes introducing new models aimed at the heart of the market, including a new American-made midsize sedan targeting the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion.

In fact, Volkswagen aims to refresh its entire lineup by 2011, and that product renaissance will reportedly entail a revised New Beetle and Jetta that are specifically tasked with catering to American automotive tastes. Also in the pipeline is a new seven-seat CUV that will go head-to-head with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Chevy Traverse, though a pickup apparently isn't in the cards. We're not sure where that leaves the automaker's subcompact Up!, but Jacoby did mention that smaller models are under consideration.

Of course, if VW is going to play on the same level as Toyota and the rest of the gang, quality is going to need to be up to snuff, and that's something Jacoby says the automaker is working to improve. The trick will be accomplishing all of these assorted goals while maintaining VW's status as a desirable nameplate among image-conscious buyers. "It's not our intention to make VW a boring brand," he says. Pretty ambitious plans... what could possibly go wrong?

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

VW's Jacoby outlines future U.S. product strategy, plans to take over the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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(Over) Active Aero: VW recalling Touareg over spoilers that might take flight

Chris Paukert — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Volkswagen

With products like its now-defunct Corrado sports coupe, Volkswagen has proven that they understand the benefits of active aerodynamics - but a new recall in conjunction with the National HIghway Traffic Safety Administration centers on the potential for some completely unintentional and undesired active aero with the company's products.

According to NHTSA, VW will recall 14,416 2007-2009 Touareg SUVs because the vehicle's roof spoiler can jettison itself from the vehicle, potentially striking pedestrians or other vehicles. Apparently, the problem stems from the fastening struts on the spoiler which can crack, leading to the loosening or outright detachment of the aerodynamic element.

Owners of Touaregs covered under the recall can bring their vehicles to their local dealer, which will install reinforcement wedges to the assembly for free. Official recall information posted after the jump. Top tip, Jeff!

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading (Over) Active Aero: VW recalling Touareg over spoilers that might take flight

(Over) Active Aero: VW recalling Touareg over spoilers that might take flight originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW planning 7-seat SUV

Chris Tutor — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has apparently seen the same gap in its SUV lineup that we did when the Tiguan was introduced. According to Autocar, the Germans are working on a mid-sizer that would slot between the large Touareg2 and the smaller Tiguan, but have seating for seven.

Autocar says VW does not plan to base the vehicle on Audi's Q5 platform or a stretched Tiguan. Instead the company is expected to utilize the much cheaper, next-generation Passat, which itself shares numerous parts with the next Golf. Sources say the larger SUV is planned for a 2011 intro with possible Skoda and Seat variants.

Anyone want to take a guess at what obscure nomadic tribe this one will be named after? Wikipedia lists at least two that begin with "T" that haven't been used yet. There are the Toubou of Chad, but that's a bit too easily pronounced. Our money's on the Dutch Trekboers, as in "How much do you think the new VW Trekboer will cost?"

[Source: Autocar]

VW planning 7-seat SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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