OT: VW squishes the Beetle
#16
pick up the Jan 2010 C&D, talks alot about the VW plans for Porsche. An entry level roadster below the Boxster with 4 cyl turbo power, the mid sized SUV, and VW wants the 911 to be a platform that receives extensive technological changes going forward.
#17
Drifting
Granted I don't know what the sales numbers are and profit margins of late on them... but based on what I'm seeing on the road, its a massively popular car, and rather iconic for the company. I'm wondering if this is really justified or if they want to pull it off the market to build some demand again and in 10 years or so release the New New Beetle.
But given that VW execs have made some incredibly stupid moves in the recent past: The Phaeton, the CC, a mini-van? (whatever that abomination is called.. Routon?) and have turned the the Golf not only into an ugly stepchild of its former uniquely VW looking self, but also passed that hideous design onto the (we cannot have it in the US) Scirocco.... one wonders if VW is intentionally trying to self-destruct. They sure are making a valid attempt at it. Are they tired of being the #1 car company in the world?
Well, I'm still holding my hopes up that a TDI-Electric Hybrid Golf will make it to the US at some point getting massively huge MPGs..... but if they continue to build fugly cars...
#19
Yeah, I heard that... and am scratching my head.
Granted I don't know what the sales numbers are and profit margins of late on them... but based on what I'm seeing on the road, its a massively popular car, and rather iconic for the company. I'm wondering if this is really justified or if they want to pull it off the market to build some demand again and in 10 years or so release the New New Beetle.
But given that VW execs have made some incredibly stupid moves in the recent past: The Phaeton, the CC, a mini-van? (whatever that abomination is called.. Routon?) and have turned the the Golf not only into an ugly stepchild of its former uniquely VW looking self, but also passed that hideous design onto the (we cannot have it in the US) Scirocco.... one wonders if VW is intentionally trying to self-destruct. They sure are making a valid attempt at it. Are they tired of being the #1 car company in the world?
Well, I'm still holding my hopes up that a TDI-Electric Hybrid Golf will make it to the US at some point getting massively huge MPGs..... but if they continue to build fugly cars...
Granted I don't know what the sales numbers are and profit margins of late on them... but based on what I'm seeing on the road, its a massively popular car, and rather iconic for the company. I'm wondering if this is really justified or if they want to pull it off the market to build some demand again and in 10 years or so release the New New Beetle.
But given that VW execs have made some incredibly stupid moves in the recent past: The Phaeton, the CC, a mini-van? (whatever that abomination is called.. Routon?) and have turned the the Golf not only into an ugly stepchild of its former uniquely VW looking self, but also passed that hideous design onto the (we cannot have it in the US) Scirocco.... one wonders if VW is intentionally trying to self-destruct. They sure are making a valid attempt at it. Are they tired of being the #1 car company in the world?
Well, I'm still holding my hopes up that a TDI-Electric Hybrid Golf will make it to the US at some point getting massively huge MPGs..... but if they continue to build fugly cars...
Sorry folks, but it was Porsche that got itself into huge trouble trying to take over VW. My biggest regret is that I did not buy VW stock 10 years ago. Oh well....
#20
Rennlist Member
#21
uninformed gas bag
(contemplating on whether gas bag is one or two words)
Rennlist Member
(contemplating on whether gas bag is one or two words)
Rennlist Member
#22
#23
Drifting
It all depends on which models you get, in what year, to determine where they are made. Frequently, the more high volume, middle of the market cars come from Mexico for the US market. The more specialty models, like the Golf GTI came from Germany. My 85 Jetta came from Germany, my 94 Golf and 02 New Beetle from Mexico.
I'm not saying the VW is not still making money, but if they want to become another american car company that is indistinguishable from the rest of the formulaicly rounded, wind-tunnel vanilla styled sedans.. they are doing the right thing.
I am puzzled about the Phaeton in Germany... the same rule there applies as here... moreso there... VAG already has a brand to sell upmarket sedans in, its called Audi. The problem is they are confusing the market on what their brands are all about.
I'm not saying the VW is not still making money, but if they want to become another american car company that is indistinguishable from the rest of the formulaicly rounded, wind-tunnel vanilla styled sedans.. they are doing the right thing.
I am puzzled about the Phaeton in Germany... the same rule there applies as here... moreso there... VAG already has a brand to sell upmarket sedans in, its called Audi. The problem is they are confusing the market on what their brands are all about.
#24
It all depends on which models you get, in what year, to determine where they are made. Frequently, the more high volume, middle of the market cars come from Mexico for the US market. The more specialty models, like the Golf GTI came from Germany. My 85 Jetta came from Germany, my 94 Golf and 02 New Beetle from Mexico.
I'm not saying the VW is not still making money, but if they want to become another american car company that is indistinguishable from the rest of the formulaicly rounded, wind-tunnel vanilla styled sedans.. they are doing the right thing.
I am puzzled about the Phaeton in Germany... the same rule there applies as here... moreso there... VAG already has a brand to sell upmarket sedans in, its called Audi. The problem is they are confusing the market on what their brands are all about.
I'm not saying the VW is not still making money, but if they want to become another american car company that is indistinguishable from the rest of the formulaicly rounded, wind-tunnel vanilla styled sedans.. they are doing the right thing.
I am puzzled about the Phaeton in Germany... the same rule there applies as here... moreso there... VAG already has a brand to sell upmarket sedans in, its called Audi. The problem is they are confusing the market on what their brands are all about.
#25
You may want o check out the window stickers on the Rabbit/Golfs in the showrooms these days. I think the only models sold today made in Mexico are the Jetta and New Beetle. For the US market , the Sportwagen, Golf and Passat are all made in Germany. The Toureg in Bratislava, and not sure about the Tiquan ( Eastern Europe also?). The Touran is, of course, a Dodge.
#26
Rennlist Member
Considering that VW sells 10X more Jettas than Golfs in the US, I belive my point was made accurately.
#27
That's a very narrow description ... how many VWs ( all VWs) are made in Mexico then compared to Germany, Brasil, US and Eastern Europe? In fact.... show us the numbers..... you may be right!
#28
Rennlist Member
Jeezus...do a Google search for 'US VW sales', and you will find this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswa...oup_of_America
VW survives in the US because of Mexican made Jettas, period. Now is my point proven?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswa...oup_of_America
VW survives in the US because of Mexican made Jettas, period. Now is my point proven?
#29
Jeezus...do a Google search for 'US VW sales', and you will find this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswa...oup_of_America
VW survives in the US because of Mexican made Jettas, period. Now is my point proven?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswa...oup_of_America
VW survives in the US because of Mexican made Jettas, period. Now is my point proven?
#30
Rennlist Member
I need to prove something? Go re-read the thread, and look at the Wiki chart more carefully. You found it "amazing" that VW could produce cars in Germany and sell them here so inexpensively. I said most US VWs are made in Mexico, and you felt compelled to challenge that statement twice. Did I do comprehensive research before an eight word internet forum reply? No, I didn't, and I was off by ~2% on my estimation that "most" (IF the definition is taken literally, and IF you assume the Wiki chart of Jan-May sales represents the current year; note that Jetta sales are trending upwards as a percentage of overall VW sales) of US market cars are Mexican made. However, the point of my original post, which I didn't think needed to be explained, but apparently does, is that VW does not rely on profit from German models in the US market, so it isn't "amazing" that the German models are sold so inexpensively.