Volkswagen unveils plans for four new vehicles

[BMWDave]

Volkswagen unveils plans for four new vehicles; U.S. dealers eagerly await minivan and more
DIANA T. KURYLKO | Automotive News
Posted Date: 8/1/05
Volkswagen of America Inc. will leap into four new product segments by the end of 2007, part of an all-out effort to rebuild the VW brand in the United States.

Long-suffering dealers will get a convertible, a small SUV, a minivan and a big luxury coupe.

The plans were unveiled to dealers July 15 by Wolfgang Bernhard, the energetic former Chrysler group COO who now heads the global VW brand in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Bernhard brought down the house at the annual dealer meeting in Dallas, taking the wraps off three vehicles and showing pictures of a fourth.

The four models on the way are:

1. A 2+2 convertible with an electric foldaway roof that would be a halo vehicle.

2. A small SUV to compete with the Jeep Liberty and Honda CR-V.

3. A seven-seat minivan - a year after VW killed plans to build the Microbus minivan.

4. A four-door "coupe" similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS that would be placed above the Passat sedan.

All four vehicles will be introduced by the end of 2007, says Bob Grace, chairman of the dealer council and owner of Southpoint Volkswagen in Baton Rouge, La.

"The dealer group is fired up," Grace says. Bernhard "gave us a no-nonsense view of his vision to bring us to a full-range franchise in a couple of years."

VW division's U.S. sales have been on a sharp decline, falling 15.4 percent in 2004 and down 23.5 percent during the first six months of this year. The company is in the midst of replacing or doing face-lifts on all its major vehicles.

Bernhard took over as head of the VW brand this year and has made the United States a priority. VWoA boss Len Hunt says Bernhard plans to bring exciting vehicles to North America and brought the proof to Dallas.

"Bernhard was just spectacular," Hunt says. "He was the star of the show. He was very frank with the dealers. He made a commitment to North America that was very genuinely put across."

Convertible first

The first vehicle to arrive will be the convertible, which goes into production in Portugal in January and will be on sale in the United States in May. For now, it's called the Concept C - after the concept car that debuted at the Geneva auto show in 2004. Hunt says the production name will be announced at the Frankfurt auto show in September.

"It is an awesome car," says Chris Curran, owner of Curran Volkswagen in Stratford, Conn. "It has a hard top. It will create a lot of excitement because it is different, new and designed from scratch to be a convertible."

The Concept C is larger than a Jetta but smaller than the redesigned 2006 Passat that began arriving in dealerships last week. Hunt says he expects annual sales of about 15,000 convertibles in the United States. Pricing hasn't been set but is expected to be about $30,000.

SUV, minivan fill voids

Both the small SUV and the minivan were designed with the United States in mind, dealers say. The SUV has been described by Curran as a "little brother of the Touareg," VW's SUV.

"The entry-level SUV is one of the hottest markets now, and we saw a new SUV that everybody is excited about," Curran says.

Dealers complained loudly to VW executives in Germany after the Microbus was killed last year. The new minivan is a different concept from the retro-looking Microbus, dealers say.

They say they need a seven-seat minivan to retain VW buyers with growing families. Bernhard provided only sketchy details of the minivan. Dealers saw only a photograph.

Hunt says Bernhard told dealers: "I know you want a seven-seater, and I'm committed to going into that segment."

Above the Passat

Hunt says the four-door "coupe" will be above the Passat but won't be as expensive as the Phaeton luxury sedan. The Phaeton is priced at $67,355, with shipping. The VW car is similar in concept to the Mercedes-Benz CLS, which is styled as a sleek two-seater but has four doors.

"This is another area where we do not compete," Curran says. "There are a lot of BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes and Acuras sold around here. We need a presence for our owners" in the segment.

Prices weren't disclosed. Hunt says, "It will still be affordable."

VW last week began delivering the 2006 Passat to dealers. The new Passat will be a major step in reversing what Kevin Eckhart, owner of Santa Barbara Volkswagen in Santa Barbara, Calif., says "has been a long dry spell."

"I got my Passats today," he says, "and once they see them, drive them and see the pricing, it will be no problem selling them."

As for the future, Eckhart and other dealers feel more secure with Bernhard at the helm.

"Wolfgang Bernhard brings a different North American viewpoint to Germany," Eckhart says. "He is a proven performance in North America, and he's set to prove we can win."

[ifcar]

VW needs a hit, and a small SUV should be able to be that unless they grossly overprice it. The Passat can't hurt either. Have they already released pricing?

[BMWDave]

VW needs a hit, and a small SUV should be able to be that unless they grossly overprice it. The Passat can't hurt either. Have they already released pricing?

I dont think so.  I have seen pictures of the small SUV doing laps at the Nurburgring, and it looks absolutely hideous.  I doubt they have a hit on their hands with this SUV.

[ifcar]

If it looks like that, it's not going anywhere. If it looks as attractive as everything else they've put out recently, even if it looks as bland as the new Jetta, it'll do fine.  

[BMWDave]

If it looks like that, it's not going anywhere. If it looks as attractive as everything else they've put out recently, even if it looks as bland as the new Jetta, it'll do fine.

I'll dig up a picture for you.

[ifcar]

I know which pic you're talking about.

[BMWDave]

I know which pic you're talking about.

So what do you think about the styling of that car?

[ifcar]

As I said, I hope it looks nothing like that pic.

[BMWDave]

As I said, I hope it looks nothing like that pic.

Not very likely, as the vehicle in the picture I recall looked production ready.

[ifcar]

I trust them to do better than that. If they don't, they will deserve it when it flops.

[Tom]

I don't see the US embracing a VW minivan, but of course we have not seen it and know nothing about it yet...but if they make the small SUV cute enough that will be a sure hit.

[ifcar]

No reason a minivan wouldn't sell well, VW has a decent image for everything but reliability.

[TBR]

No suv will look good taking a turn on a track at high speeds/

[BMWDave]

No suv will look good taking a turn on a track at high speeds/

I wasnt talking about that...I just think the overall design is hideous.  It looks squashed, IMO.

[ifcar]

No suv will look good taking a turn on a track at high speeds/

EDIT: First pic isn't working, here's the link:
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102588

[TBR]

No suv will look good taking a turn on a track at high speeds/

I wasnt talking about that...I just think the overall design is hideous.  It looks squashed, IMO.

The porportions will look better when it is sitting still.  

[BMWDave]

No suv will look good taking a turn on a track at high speeds/

I wasnt talking about that...I just think the overall design is hideous.  It looks squashed, IMO.

The porportions will look better when it is sitting still.

We shall see about that :)

[Tom]

In the first pic the body is raised higher than in the second pic on the track.  Does it have an air suspension similar it's big brother?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Good lord, is VW trying to run the company into the ground.

Ifcar wrote:
"VW needs a hit, and a small SUV should be able to be that unless they grossly overprice it."

Seriously what are the chances of it being priced around its rivals.

VW in general charges a premium price on any model, i'm sure their compact SUV will be no different.

As for rebuilding its U.S. image, how about this. Try and build a VW that could surpass a korean car in reliability. I mean seriosly just stop building junk and perception will go way up, also cutting prices alittle would help. Not too many people fall for that "German Engineering" and "europeon handling" that VW used to run on.

Nowadays you can get a equally well designed interior, better performance, worlds better reliability and a cheaper pricetag in many japanese rivals. The last thing VW needs is more expensive high end cars that will compete in price with audi's, and compete in reliability with chinese knockoffs.

[R33 GT-R]

Party Pooper!

[FlatBlackCaddy]

go away

[R33 GT-R]

it's the party pooper.  

[Raza]

As for rebuilding its U.S. image, how about this. Try and build a VW that could surpass a korean car in reliability. I mean seriosly just stop building junk and perception will go way up, also cutting prices alittle would help. Not too many people fall for that "German Engineering" and "europeon handling" that VW used to run on.

Nowadays you can get a equally well designed interior, better performance, worlds better reliability and a cheaper pricetag in many japanese rivals. The last thing VW needs is more expensive high end cars that will compete in price with audi's, and compete in reliability with chinese knockoffs.

My Passat's been dead reliable.  12K miles.

And what car, for the price has a better interior?  The Accord and Camry are nowhere near as well put together as the Passat is, the new Jetta is leagues beyond the Civic and Corolla.  Nor are the Accord and Camry sportier models--true, the V6 models are fast to 60, but handling can't touch the Passat's (I don't know about the Jetta vs. Civic/Corolla), nor are they nearly as involving as the Passat.

[ifcar]

Even an example of a car that is below-average for reliability overall still is unlikely to have reliability issues that early. Thus, owner examples here and there can't provide worthwhile evidence either way.

And a Passat and Jetta should have better interiors than their Toyota and Honda counterparts considering how much more expensive they are. And neither the Passat nor the Jetta (old or new) are the best-handling cars in their respective classes.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

As for rebuilding its U.S. image, how about this. Try and build a VW that could surpass a korean car in reliability. I mean seriosly just stop building junk and perception will go way up, also cutting prices alittle would help. Not too many people fall for that "German Engineering" and "europeon handling" that VW used to run on.

Nowadays you can get a equally well designed interior, better performance, worlds better reliability and a cheaper pricetag in many japanese rivals. The last thing VW needs is more expensive high end cars that will compete in price with audi's, and compete in reliability with chinese knockoffs.

My Passat's been dead reliable.  12K miles.

And what car, for the price has a better interior?  The Accord and Camry are nowhere near as well put together as the Passat is, the new Jetta is leagues beyond the Civic and Corolla.  Nor are the Accord and Camry sportier models--true, the V6 models are fast to 60, but handling can't touch the Passat's (I don't know about the Jetta vs. Civic/Corolla), nor are they nearly as involving as the Passat.

I'm glad your enjoying your car. Too bad that when you factor in several others ownership experiences they(VW) fall to the bottom of the list.

I've always stated that VW makes some of the nicest interiors around(i don't like the new jetta that much, but my bro's 01 was gorgeous).

However to most people(me/my brother who will never own a VW again), the pretty interior and the badge(which leads to warm fuzzy feelings of german quality/etc) don't outweigh the breakdowns, electrical problem and in the case of several 1.8T owners, premature timing belt failure which leads to a hefty repair bill.

As i've stated VW cars are nicely designed and pleasing to the eye(though i think they took a huge step down with the new jetta), its the low rent quality that barely surpasses a 5 year old hyundai thats the big turn off to anyone who cares about reliability. I seriously believe that is hurting them the most.

[Raza]

Even an example of a car that is below-average for reliability overall still is unlikely to have reliability issues that early. Thus, owner examples here and there can't provide worthwhile evidence either way.

And a Passat and Jetta should have better interiors than their Toyota and Honda counterparts considering how much more expensive they are. And neither the Passat nor the Jetta (old or new) are the best-handling cars in their respective classes.

What handles better than the Passat?  Certainly not the Camry or Accord, and the Altima is too sqirrely at high speeds to be considered better.

[ifcar]

Mazda6, TSX.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Even an example of a car that is below-average for reliability overall still is unlikely to have reliability issues that early. Thus, owner examples here and there can't provide worthwhile evidence either way.

And a Passat and Jetta should have better interiors than their Toyota and Honda counterparts considering how much more expensive they are. And neither the Passat nor the Jetta (old or new) are the best-handling cars in their respective classes.

What handles better than the Passat?  Certainly not the Camry or Accord, and the Altima is too sqirrely at high speeds to be considered better.

He did say passat and Jetta, having driven jetta's often i would agree that there handling abillities are somewhat mythical(they are good handlers) but i wouldn't call them the best by no means.

[Raza]

Mazda6, TSX.

I don't know about the Mazda6 (maybe marginally), and the TSX isn't in the same class.  It's a TL, 3er, G35, C, A4 competitor.  The monthly payments between my Passat and a TSX were roughly a Honda Civic apart.

[Raza]

Even an example of a car that is below-average for reliability overall still is unlikely to have reliability issues that early. Thus, owner examples here and there can't provide worthwhile evidence either way.

And a Passat and Jetta should have better interiors than their Toyota and Honda counterparts considering how much more expensive they are. And neither the Passat nor the Jetta (old or new) are the best-handling cars in their respective classes.

What handles better than the Passat?  Certainly not the Camry or Accord, and the Altima is too sqirrely at high speeds to be considered better.

He did say passat and Jetta, having driven jetta's often i would agree that there handling abillities are somewhat mythical(they are good handlers) but i wouldn't call them the best by no means.

I've never driven a Jetta, but I've driven the shit out of a Passat...I know the ins and outs of its handling, and I'm positive that it's the best car in its class--otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.