Spy photographers have spotted a number of Volkswagen Scirocco prototypes — some even in the southwest United States — but a new report finds that the Scirocco will not be sold on this side of the pond. The Scirocco is slated to go on sale in Europe in mid-2008.
Scirocco
Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen of America, broke the news in an interview with Car and Driver earlier this month. Jacoby stated that the automaker didn’t want to cannibalize U.S. sales of the GTI and R32 with the Scirocco. “The [2009 Scirocco] is lovely, but we can’t have everything,†he said.
VW of America executives have long stated their opposition to bringing the Scirocco to America. Despite this, a spokesman from VW in Germany said back in May the final decision would be made at VW’s main headquarters by CEO Martin Winterkorn. It’s not known if the Germans have made their final decision on this or if Mr. Jacoby is simply repeating VW of America’s opinion.
Jetta TDI
Jacoby also confirmed that the launch of the 2009 Jetta TDI has been delayed, likely until late summer 2008. The delay is due to problems with the emissions system. “We have a solution and are working on it,†Jacoby said. Despite the delay, VW is already conducting dealer training for the new vehicle.
Jacoby emphasized how important the new 50-state legal Jetta is to the TDI brand and that VW must be sure it has all of the bugs out before going to launch. “We need to launch with proper emissions and quality,†he said.
Diesel-powered Phaeton
VW’s CEO also revealed that the current Phaeton – which went on sale in Europe in 2002 but was pulled from the U.S. market in late 2005 — could make a return to the U.S. Earlier reports indicated the Phaeton could return to the U.S., but not until the next-generation car bowed.
However, if VW does bring the Phaeton back, it would be in diesel-only form. “There is no reason to relaunch with the same as what we had before,†Jacoby said of past versions of the Phaeton. “We need something to stand out from the old one. It needs a unique selling point. What else do we have but diesel?†Jacoby failed to give a time frame for a Phaeton return.
