VW Passat R36 vs. BMW 335i vs. Audi A4 3.2 Quattro vs. Saab 9? Turbo X

[nickdrinkwater]

Then why bother building two models?  And we're getting an Americanized Passat as well, which I imagine means large, V6, automatic, and soft.  Basically an Accord with a VW badge. 

They tried this strategy (something similar, anyway) before, and QC for some models went into the toilet.  I'm worried about VWs in the future.  I'm also almost certain that I won't be able to buy a Jetta again because my tastes aren't exactly in line with the average American consumer.

It makes sense to Americanise it because the main market is the US.  Maybe they want to build on this and see making the car more appealing to US tastes as the way do to this?  Whether they keep selling the Jetta in Europe/GOM depends on volume in those markets, I guess.

Starting with the Bora in the late 90s, VW has tried to position this car as a mini-Passat (at least here in the UK), so perhaps they do think there is enough potential customers to keep it around.

Like you say, it doesn't make much sense to sell two cars instead of one if it can be avoided.  With the Passat it might make sense, because they probably want to increase its popularity in the US - I don't think Americans have ever 'got' the Passat.  The car is already a runaway success in Europe so they don't want to change the formula over here.

I would guess that with the Jetta, they might continue with the Golf derived version in Europe and develop a new slightly larger model for the US, maybe in collaboration with one of the big three. 

Out of interest, where did you here about this?  I knew about the Passat possibly splitting but not the Jetta.

[Raza]

I believe I read it in a few different magazines, I'll try and dig it up.

I'm just worried that Americanizing a car will take away the European feel which sets the cars apart from everything else on the market.  If you want an Americanized car, buy something American or Japanese.  I know that I, and likely other Volkswagen buyers, prefer the feeling of Volkswagens to Japanese and American cars, and that's why we bought them in the first place. 

Mainstreaming cars may make some sense from a market penetration standpoint, but it can alienate the core buyers (just as Subaru did with the 2008 WRX).  So the books will look good, but it leaves you with frustrated buyers who start to look elsewhere.  I don't want to buy a Volkswagen that feels like an Accord.  That's why I got the Passat 1.8T in 2004 instead of the massively more powerful (and at the time, cheaper) Accord V6 back in 2004.  If the Passat feels like the Accord, it takes away the thing that Volkswagen has over the other cars in the market.

[Madman]

"Americanising" their product is the worst thing Volkswagen can do.  People buy Volkswagens because of their German character.  Lose that and what do you have left?  You may as well buy a Camry or some other dreadfully dull four wheeled appliance.  Build the Passat in America if you must, but PLEASE don't try to turn it into a dumbed-down American car.  If Volkswagen dare commit this sacrilege I will NEVER set foot inside a VW showroom ever again!



Madman of the People

[the Teuton]

[Madman]

I was trying to pretend that abomination was only a figment of my imagination and didn't really exist.  Now you've ruined my whole day.  Thanks!

BTW, where's that damn vomiting smiley when you really need it?


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[The Pirate]

You used to be able to get a Passat manual, but with the introduction of the CC, they killed the stick for the standard sedan.  You can get it on the CC though. 

I just built a Passat sedan and Passat Wagon (in Turbo trim level for both) with the 2.0T and a six-speed manual on vw.com.

See for yourself.

[the Teuton]

I was trying to pretend that abomination was only a figment of my imagination and didn't really exist.  Now you've ruined my whole day.  Thanks!

BTW, where's that damn vomiting smiley when you really need it?


Cheers,
Madman of the People

I want to see them make an R40 version of it.

[Raza]

I just built a Passat sedan and Passat Wagon (in Turbo trim level for both) with the 2.0T and a six-speed manual on vw.com.

See for yourself.

2008s?

[The Pirate]

2008s?

I would assume so.  I found no mention of that on the site, however.

[Raza]

They're supposed to be dead for 09.

[The Pirate]

They're supposed to be dead for 09.

Ah.  That's unfortunate.

[Pommes-T]

THIS car is really one VERY bad idea IMO. I've read german tests about the new Chrysler Voyager and they said it's a piece of shit. A roomy one, but still a piece of shit.
Also the Routan'S engines are so not VW-style.

I think cars like this can really ruin a brand's image. It tells the customers: If you buy a VW you get a car that is equal to a Chrysler. And people who want a Passat surely don't want a Passat that drives like a Sebring...

[nickdrinkwater]

I believe I read it in a few different magazines, I'll try and dig it up.

I'm just worried that Americanizing a car will take away the European feel which sets the cars apart from everything else on the market.  If you want an Americanized car, buy something American or Japanese.  I know that I, and likely other Volkswagen buyers, prefer the feeling of Volkswagens to Japanese and American cars, and that's why we bought them in the first place. 

Mainstreaming cars may make some sense from a market penetration standpoint, but it can alienate the core buyers (just as Subaru did with the 2008 WRX).  So the books will look good, but it leaves you with frustrated buyers who start to look elsewhere.  I don't want to buy a Volkswagen that feels like an Accord.  That's why I got the Passat 1.8T in 2004 instead of the massively more powerful (and at the time, cheaper) Accord V6 back in 2004.  If the Passat feels like the Accord, it takes away the thing that Volkswagen has over the other cars in the market.

I see your point and agree with you, but I assume VW think they can make more money by breaking into the mainstream, even if they do alienate some existing customers.

Despite overtaking Ford in global vehicle sales recently, I think the US is one of the only markets where VW is still a niche player.