Volkswagen has pushed back the production start date for next-generation Golf, a new report finds. Internally called the MkVI, the Golf was expected to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March with sales following in the fall. However, design changes have pushed back the car’s world debut until the Paris Motor Show in September 2008 with sales beginning in 2009 — a delay of about 6 months.
When Martin Winterkorn took over at VW, he demanded to review all new cars and wouldn’t give them the green light until he did so. Apparently he didn’t like the design on the new Golf, hence the delay.


10/26, 10:02 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Wow, someone who cares about quality and attractiveness at VW.
10/26, 10:26 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
CA36GTP - won’t be long until he gets fired or promoted to a position where his desire for quality and attractiveness won’t interfere with operations. That’s how it works in the corporate world.
10/26, 10:30 AM
posted by:
mazdaman
Hopefully the delay means they will also try to make “reliability” standard in addition to tweaking the design.
10/26, 10:31 AM
posted by:
c4Menace
lol this is because the consumer report failed most VW models at reliability.
Its touching that they would claim it to be “the design on the new Golf”
but we all know…
10/26, 10:33 AM
posted by:
Fletch
Remember when Toyota delayed the launch of the Tundra? Still had problems…
10/26, 11:20 AM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
Of course they delayed it. Took the U.S. years to get this gen Golf after Europe. Now a delay. Right.
10/26, 1:16 PM
posted by:
cardesigner5
aparently the next gen will use a simplifed chassis of the current version to cut cost’s and production time, as the current golf take’s around 22hrs to produce while it’s rivals take half that time. why VW if u wanna cut cost’s move production to some looser country.
if is also supposed to have A similar body shape.
it will basically be a glorified facelift. im prepared to be dissapointed.
10/26, 1:21 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Lambo, I have a little sympathy from a manufacturing standpoint of staggering vehicle launches in major markets. When a new vehicle comes out, there is that demand surge of gotta-haves that you fullfill with peak production, then as that surge wanes you introduce it in the next major market (and so on) to get the most utilization out of your production facilities over a longer period with burning things out.
That being said, I have no sympathy for delaying introduction for generations (or until never) like Ford with its hot euro models.
10/26, 2:07 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
Volkswagen … the peon’s car. Or something like that. Right ‘Lambo’?
10/26, 11:19 PM
posted by:
sik59rt
cardesigner….you werent disappointed by the MkV? there has been talks on the VW forums about the new MkVI coming out in europe for some time now. i dont know who id believe….LLN or all the VDub forums
10/26, 11:19 PM
posted by:
sik59rt
oh,btw….thats was a rhetorical question
10/27, 12:43 AM
posted by:
sharpie
“Apparently he didn’t like the design on the new Golf, hence the delay.”
I wouldn’t either if it is another case of Jetta-rolla!
10/27, 2:04 AM
posted by:
Commodore
I’d like to see the car the CEO rejected as well as the final product. That will be a great indication of whether or not he is a smart automotive CEO or not
10/27, 8:46 AM
posted by:
cardesigner5
sik59rt - overall the current mk5 golf has been well recieved in europe, being the class leader. it is also the top selling car in europe. It has been praised by critics for it’s dyanimic capabilities and interior quality. it is the benchmark for medium sized car’s in europe.
10/28, 9:31 AM
posted by:
DJ_Quaaludes
The MK V is a wonderful car. Overall much more reliable than the MK IV, and my GTI is pretty much better in every aspect than its MK IV variant. As was mentioned before, the main reason behind the “quick” transition to the MK VI platform is due to the outrageously high costs of production for the current Golf.
Oh, and people who buy jetta’s are fairly retarded. Why you would pay more for essentially losing practicality is mindboggling. America needs to end its love affair with sedans and hop on the hatchback band “wagen”.
10/30, 11:02 AM
posted by:
mp0wrd
I’m glad to see them delaying this car; maybe now in the extra six months they can work on reliability…