Will they be importing the LWB or the SWB version? I've never understoof why we only got the LWB. Any explanation?
When the Phaeton went into the US market, the S-Class and 7er were only available in LWB (correct me if I'm wrong)... The US market always had a penchant for larger models, that's why a SWB was never introduced. Now, things have changed, and carmakers are offering more variety.
Well actually the Audi A8 and 7-Series are available in SWB for, the regular A8 (no L) and the 745i, now 750i. So I'm not sure why VW didn't import the SWB Phaeton. They should have and priced it right on top of the E500/545i IMO, matching the LS430 of the time. If they re-introduced it they should price the SWB Phaeton on top of or the same as the E550, 550i and SWB Lexus LS460. That is where it would make the most sense to luxury car (not 550i manual sports sedan) buyers. M
I think the comments of now gone chief of VW USA sales were appropriate "The Phaeton "could be the best car, but I would still not buy it because it has the VW logo, and because I have to go to a VW dealership where the salesmen are used to selling Jettas and Golfs,'' Mees said on Nov. 8, according to Automotive News, a trade publication. " Source People buying $60 plus cars expect some after sales service and things like free-loaners for car service etc. It will be difficult to sell a VW at $60+ when there are cheaper alternatives like Lexus, Acura, etc.
VW of Singapore recently released a SWB Phaeton with low-specs... The interior didn't lack much, it still felt very luxurious. And all for a good price that's just a little above a high-spec Treg. I believe there will be success for the SWB... In Europe, 90% of Phaetons sold are SWB (a figure I got from an insider at VW Vortex).
Volkswagen Phaeton may return to U.S. The Phaeton limo may have been a major flop for Volkswagen but officials are keen to the launch of a successor. The car was priced similarly to BMWs and Audis but it wore a humble VW badge, and there was nothing particularly exciting or innovative about the car either. It had mundane styling, poor dynamics and a much heavier chassis than its Audi A8 cousin, and in the U.S. it only managed 2,814 sales since its launch back in 2003. No wonder the car was pulled from the market last year. It appears, however, the Phaeton may make a return to the world’s largest car market. Speaking at an Automotive News conference, VW’s U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby admitted it was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in North America. Jacoby said he still thinks the VW brand is strong enough to include models in both the volume segment and at the luxury end, hinting that the Phaeton could in fact return. VW won’t be making the same mistakes with the successor as it did with the current model. The new model will be based on Audi’s cost-saving modular platform design strategy and is tipped to be smaller than the current car – positioned somewhere between the A6 and A8 from Audi. The next Phaeton is expected to arrive on the market in 2010, a year after the new A8. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/volkswagen-phaeton-may-return-to-us/
Re: Volkswagen Phaeton may return to U.S. Interesting. I disagree with their tone about the car being nothing. The large VW was a supremely capable crusier and stunningly well built. To appreciate the engineering put into this car you need an autobahn or to cut it in half and examine it. I'd love to pick one of these if could trust that VW wouldn't turn their back on servicing it and honoring the warranty with the same commitment when they were trying to sell them. M
I agree Merc1, I own an '05. I could not be happier with this car. It IS truely amazing all around. Scott
Like someone said earlier, this car will have to be extremely cheap compared to other cars in the segment... we are talking almost 5 series and E class price. While it is a well built car I'm sure, I still don't think it looks exciting, almost like an oversized Passat. Looks ok, but if you are going against cars like the 7er and S-class it better be flawless if you asking that kind of money. While I respect the car, I have to say that I wouldn't be particularly interested in getting one.
I think the biggest factor in holding back the success of the Phaeton in North America is the badge. Volkswagen is just not seen as a true luxury brand in those markets. When people want to spend money on a luxury car they'll go for the big names. I suppose the Phaeton will gain points with people who know that this is an excellent car and who want to be different and don't care much for badge snobbery, but other than that, it will always have a "brand image" disadvantage against the cars it is marketed against based solely on the little logo upfront that says "VW". A shame since this really is a great car. If I remember correctly from an AMS test sometime ago it also did pretty well against the Lexus LS in comfort and was said to have the better interior too. Agility wasn't very good though, not that buyers actually care. If I drove an S-Class, Phaeton, A8 etc. I would place more emphasis on comfort, interior ambience etc.
VW could have made this car work. I would have brought over the short-wheelbase version and priced it like a E550/550i and the LWB version would have been priced about 5K more. This was a fabulous car, but they didn't really market it enough I don't think and there should have been more variants. I'd love to pic up one of these as they are quite possibly the best used luxury car bargain on the market. Totally unique and exclusive, practically ensures you won't see yourself coming and going. The catch is VW service. I can't seem them being all that happy to service them now since they aren't selling them anymore. M
VW considers diesel powerplant for U.S. Phaeton The Phaeton limo may have been a major flop for Volkswagen but officials are keen to see the launch of a successor, especially in the U.S. where it could pose as a technical and environmental flagship for the carmaker. The original model was priced similarly to BMWs and Audis but it wore a humble VW badge, and there was nothing particularly exciting or innovative about the car to warrant its premium price tag, except for being ridiculously over-engineered. As for the new model, it could potentially feature VW’s advanced turbodiesel technology and utilize Audi’s new modular platform to create a true premium flagship. The information comes from VW’s U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby, who told reporters from Automotive News that if VW wants to be bigger in the U.S. it will have to offer a broader range of vehicles to meet the “needs and wants of a diverse American customer universe.” One of the vehicles near the top of Jacoby’s list is a new Phaeton. Just last month he told reporters at a news conference that it was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in North America. Although he didn’t provide any solid details about the next-gen model, previous execs have hinted that it will arrive without many luxury features and only in the shorter wheelbase. The previous model sold for more than $70,000 and only managed 2,814 sales over the entire period it was on offer in the States. VW’s strategy for the US also involves the introduction of a coupe-sedan style model called the Passat CC as well as a new model to sit between the Passat CC and the Phaeton. The Passat CC was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/vw-could-launch-diesel-phaeton-in-us/
Good news, she got her loyal buyers everywhere :eusa_clap...! An underestimaed icon, that I'll consider over A6, any day ...!
Where did you hear that agility is not too good? I have read from a few different reviews that the Phaeton, if you ignore its badge, has pretty darn good handling. I also don't agree with journalists that keep pounding on the Phaeton because it comes from the same car company that sells Jettas and Golfs. Mercedes-Benz sells the more "entry-level" A-Class and B-Class in some markets. You can get a Mercedes B200 in Canada starting at $30,000. The top VW Golf GTI and Jetta models may not be the most comparable class to the B200, but the point is they are in that price range too. No one is asking why buy an S-Class when MB also sell cars in the $30k range with GTIs and Jettas.
