Scirocco VW of America chief wants Scirocco for U.S. lineup

[footie]

Volkswagen of America chief Jonathan Browning would like to see the Scirocco enter the U.S. lineup in the next product cycle



Volkswagen of America boss Jonathan Browning is acknowledging the challenges involved in making a comeback in the United States. And he knows the German automaker is going to have to broaden its product lineup to do it.
Browning has said he'd like to see the Scirocco model make it stateside but that it's going to have to wait.
"I'd love to ... We were not able to make the case to bring it in this (product) cycle, but in the future, I'd love to see it here in the U.S.," Browning told USA Today during the auto show in Detroit last week.
Browning would like to recapture some of the magical sway that the old Scirocco had over U.S. consumers back in its heyday in the 1980s. And the range-topping Scirocco R would likely serve as a great ambassador for the new verion of a renowned sport model.
To bring some sports car cachet back to the brand in America again, Volkswagen does intend to bring the Golf R to the United States, though.
The Golf R is an all-wheel drive range-topping variant of the Golf fitted with a 2.0 liter TFSI engine producing a total of 270 PS (266 bhp / 199 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. It comes in both 3- and 5-door body styles.
The Scirocco R model is a 2-door coupe that features an identical power plant but comes as a front-wheel drive instead.
Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit last week, Browning said that the brand had to improve its quality ratings in North America as well as create a more responsive customer service culture for its dealer network. VW has been plagued by customers complaining about bad service at its U.S. dealers.
"We know that we simply must improve our quality," said Browning.

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[Kowalski]

Bad idea.

Americans don't like hatchbacks. The fact that the Golf have always been an slow selling model in the U.S market, just proves my point and why the Scirocco would be a major flop. VW USA should just sell a two door Jetta, powered by the 2.5 engine, for less than whatever the price Honda charges for the Civic coupé.

 

[footie]

Bad idea.

Americans don't like hatchbacks. The fact that the Golf have always been an slow selling model in the U.S market, just proves my point and why the Scirocco would be a major flop. VW USA should just sell a two door Jetta, powered by the 2.5 engine, for less than whatever the price Honda charges for the Civic coupé.

I don't know if many would view the Scirocco in the same way as a traditional hatchback, it's form is more coupe in profile, plus I am sure Americans are already warming to the idea of a hatch in the form of the Panamera, sort of paving the way for the rest to follow.

 

[Kowalski]

I don't know if many would view the Scirocco in the same way as a traditional hatchback, it's form is more coupe in profile, plus I am sure Americans are already warming to the idea of a hatch in the form of the Panamera, sort of paving the way for the rest to follow.

Nope. Still wouldn't work. Two door Jetta 2.5 cheaper than a Honda Civic coupé is the way to go.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I've recognised that the U.S. consumers' taste in automobiles can differ vastly from the taste of European consumers. Thus, I would also tend to think that a more "traditional" 2 door coupe based on the Jetta could have a far greater appeal in North America.

The current Scirocco was quite a hit when it was introduced to Europeans in the fall of 2008. It is a very interesting car. It may considered attractively styled, sporting yet practical with a wide variety of engines available and competitively priced. But sales have since tapered off quite considerably, indicating that it has lost its' attractiveness in the marketplace. Perhaps its' simply aged poorly.

 

[ateekt]

Despite the fact, 'hatch' is a cold segmant here, the Scirocco is slightly over priced car & if offered, will harm Gti sales!

 

[footie]

I've recognised that the U.S. consumers' taste in automobiles can differ vastly from the taste of European consumers. Thus, I would also tend to think that a more "traditional" 2 door coupe based on the Jetta could have a far greater appeal in North America.

The current Scirocco was quite a hit when it was introduced to Europeans in the fall of 2008. It is a very interesting car. It may considered attractively styled, sporting yet practical with a wide variety of engines available and competitively priced. But sales have since tapered off quite considerably, indicating that it has lost its' attractiveness in the marketplace. Perhaps its' simply aged poorly.

Lost it's sparkle to us in Europe maybe but to the US consumer it's styling would be a breath of fresh air. The only way VW will know will be to supply a limited run to US dealers and gauge response, if favourable then roll it out in decent numbers.

The only thing I have against the traditional 2 dr coupe design is every man and his dog does it, at least to their market the Scirocco would be striking and stand out from the crowd. Even over here when you see a Scirocco it still looks striking compared to other coupes.

Despite the fact, 'hatch' is a cold segmant here, the Scirocco is slightly over priced car & if offered, will harm Gti sales!

Pricing would be important, but I get the feeling VAG knows they have to move on price to get the sales figures to the level they desire by 2018. Just wished America's aggressive pricing could transfer to Europe as well.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

I agree with Kowalski.

Having grown up in Australia where hatchbacks are socially accepted and sold in large numbers, it's a real eye-opener to now be living in America and realizing that hatches are not successful at all. Sure you got a few brands offering hatchbacks in their lineup, but by and large the concept of a hatch just doesn't work in the States. Must be a mindset thing I guess...

Regardless of the fact that the Scirocco is a more sporty shaped and styled hatch, I doubt it would be a hot seller. Sure it'll sell, but it won't be anything like European sales.

The only thing I have against the traditional 2 dr coupe design is every man and his dog does it

And there's a reason why everyone does it over here..... it sells. Kowalski's idea of creating a 2dr Jetta would be more accepted in terms of its overall shape, and of course the Jetta nametag is already established. If VW can develop a US-market-only Passat, then they can develop a Jetta Coupe. Afterall, VW is all about flooding the market with small cars...

 

[footie]

Regardless of the fact that the Scirocco is a more sporty shaped and styled hatch, I doubt it would be a hot seller. Sure it'll sell, but it won't be anything like European sales.

But does it need to sell like it did in Europe. What Volkswagen needs is a bit of excitement to boost it's image from the bland it's range is in the States at the moment. I feel the Scirocco would definitely help but I'm not saying the a Jetta coupe wouldn't be a plus point as well but I do know something needs to happen.

 

[Zafiro]

Its a good looking car though. Looks alone is a reason to buy one.

 

[DocM]

this takes me back to when I was buying my first car in the US.
Just for fun, I asked the girls in my research lab back then what they thought of the GTI. I clearly remember their facial expression when I explained to them I was a hatchback. Immediately understood the local's dislike of that kind of car.

Now the scirocco IMO if marketed and priced right in the US could potentially have the kind of success that MINI has.

Still all in all I'm not sure whether the sirocco would fly over here?

 

[footie]

I don't know what perceptions in the US is of Volkswagen products but sit in a new Golf, Passat or Touareg and you are instantly aware that they are products on par with those of a price bracket above. Over here the Scirocco offers distinctive looks, real quality feel with outstanding performance at a really reasonable price, if VW can do the same over there then I reckon it would sell, better than most expect.

 

[Monster]

We don't get the Scirocco in Australia either, no official explanation is given, rumors has it that VW fears the Scirocco will steal too much sales from the Golf GTi.

 

[footie]

We don't get the Scirocco in Australia either, no official explanation is given, rumors has it that VW fears the Scirocco will steal too much sales from the Golf GTi.

Have you looked at the split in numbers for the Scirocco 2.0TSI and the Golf GTI in European countries to see if it did steal sales. I don't any hard evidence to back up my opinion but here in the UK I see much more GTIs than the equivalent Scirocco and I am yet to see a Scirocco R but has seen several Golf Rs.

I don't see it steal many sales, if anything I would have thought the Audi TT would have been where those extra sales would have came from as both are 2dr, 4 seater hatchback cars with a coupe design theme running through them.

 

[Monster]

I should have said VW Australia fears that the Scirocco will steal sales from the GTi.

 

[Mr Robert]

The whole hatchback idea would be great in the country of too big cars...

 

[footie]

I should have said VW Australia fears that the Scirocco will steal sales from the GTi.

Maybe they are right, they should know better than anyone which affect it's introduction should have, but I can only speak about what I see on my streets and the GTI is way more popular than the Scirocco is for the obvious reason of practicality, five seats are better than four.

Still think it's what affect it might have on the TT that's the real reason.

 

[Monster]

Maybe they are right, they should know better than anyone which affect it's introduction should have, but I can only speak about what I see on my streets and the GTI is way more popular than the Scirocco is for the obvious reason of practicality, five seats are better than four.

Still think it's what affect it might have on the TT that's the real reason.

That might be right, but I still don't think you average TT buyer will even consider a VW.

 

[ateekt]

Pricing would be important, but I get the feeling VAG knows they have to move on price to get the sales figures to the level they desire by 2018. Just wished America's aggressive pricing could transfer to Europe as well.

And in vice versa, I wish Europe's aggressive rides could transfer to U.S as well. Regardless of the segment, power-train & make!

 

[klier]

Just for fun, I asked the girls in my research lab back then what they thought of the GTI. I clearly remember their facial expression when I explained to them I was a hatchback. Immediately understood the local's dislike of that kind of car.

LOL, that's just classic!!

...and sad
They want a Ford F150 instead of a GTI.