German Car Forum

Amazing. VW can't possibly think they can sell a car above the S-Class and 7-Series and bring this car back to the U.S. What is going at VW?


M

What it seems VW has a goal to overtake Toyota in US market ... Therefore they started to offer US-specific products (like eg, that failed van based on was it Chrysler?), and will do it even more: they announced they would build a factory in US, where a US specific sedan will be built. Passat won't be sold in US market, but that new car (larger than Passat) will be sold there instead. And they are developing a new Phaeton - which I guess - will be larger than that US-specific VW new sedan. Meaning: Phaeton will indeed be a LARGE car, and perhaps also priced above A8, 7er , and even s-class. Not need to mention LS, XJ & Panamera.

Again they are doing the same mistake ... VW can't offer products in premium segments. VAG has enough premium brands in portfolio to do that job (Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Bugatti) - absolutely no need for VW to be there as well.

But ... That's Piech's obsession ... and his warrior (Martin Winterkorn) is the CEO of VAG (and now also the Porsche SE !!!) ... so be sure Piech's dreams will be realized again. Another super-duper Bugatti model, more "premium" VWs, Audi sports cars over Porsche sports cars etc.

Remember the Piech's move: when he put VW, Skoda, Bentley & Bugatti in one box (premium box), and Audi, Lamborghini & Seat in the other box (sporty box). What a delusion!

Sorry to say that ... but Piech is like Adolf H. ... a fierce mad man with strange grandiose visions & goals, with oddly huge charisma attracting oddly a lot followers. And with this move now (Piech's victory over Porsche clan) is analog to H's appointment as Chancellor. Piech EGO is now bigger than universe, and he will not be stopped. Until the bitter end. I hope at least the Qataris will be bold enough to stop him. Otherwise Piech will do to VAG what Schrempp did to DaimlerBenz: transforming a mighty one into a crippled one.

Firstly VW are not trying to overtake Toyota in the US but infact the whole globe in sales from the entire Group.

Secondly you see how easy it is for a Rumour from which a journalist has stated VW positioned the Phaeton to low can be so far from the truth (which infact we don't even know).

I believe the Phaeton will be based on the new MLP platform which as you may or may not know goes from A4 to Mulsanne sized vehicles.
The Phaeton will most likely be positioned in size between the SWB and LWB 2010 A8 and be more value orientated think Lexus LS series.

The Routan was also going to be a stop gap until the Chattanooga plant comes online with which VW are planning to build & develop their owner 7 seat entrant.

Piech does have an ego but with MW at the helm I don't think VAG will go downhill as MW is a very competent manager as we've seen with his Audi work.

What is even more funny is how BMW is so concerned with what VW is going to do next. Or wait, maybe just its "creative marketing", not the real BMW.

^

You're now being a bit paranoid. Seeing CM conspiracy everywhere.

Learn to differ my personal opinion from CM stuff. Try harder. If some can do it, I'm sure You'll be able to do it as well.




And the discussion here in this thread is about Volkswagen, not BMW & CM - so stop.

Look at the latest phaeton's post - where he addresses & debates the topic. Learn something from that!

That's right - this is a thread you cannot delete posts as you like.

Interesting post, but I'm sure Piech isn't nearly as evil as the furor was. I have to admit that I kinda want to see what his ego/daydreaming will produce because the VW Phaeton was a great car IMO. Is there no one that can reel him in so he doesn't eventually run VW into the ground?


The only place for such lavishness with in VW AG is Bugatti and Bentley.


VW needs to concetrate on making a better looking/driving/safer/quality car than Toyota or Honda for a small (very small) premium over those cars.


M

Sure Ferdinand is not as evil as Adolf was ... It was just a caricature - comparison to H.

He is a great engineer & automobile enthusiast ... a bit too much. He is product-obsessed. The old German school. Which is good to some degree - within rational limits.

Eg. trying to develop & launch a VW model positioned beyond 7er, A8 & S-class ... I don't think that's very rational.

Agree 100%, I can't believe their strategy or vision could stray from this approach.

No matter how good the Phaeton is, the VW brand cannot support this type of vehicle, period.

If it is better than the A8, improve the A8!

Not just paranoid but blind too. Why did you bother responding when I mentioned what a journalist told me?

We are in the process of moving on soon...

We want more updates!
This thread rocks and Phaeton is a real star in this tread!

btw could someone please post a COMPLETE list of all VW models in the market today
all around the world? That would be awsome!!

Thanks in advance

updated



Scroll down for complete list of current VW range

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen