Comments on: VW to increase U.S. sales to 1 million http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:08:07 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: BLISS http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-330298 BLISS Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:11:36 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-330298 GO AT IT VOLKSWAGEN AG. GO AT IT VOLKSWAGEN AG.

]]> By: Cire http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328860 Cire Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:24:17 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328860 I think they do need to change their focus. The Euro-luxury wannabe image didn't quite fit (especially with the poor reliability issue). The Phaeton was the poster child for the failure of this image for VW (anonymous looking luxury barge from a nonluxury brand). If VW can fix its reliability issues and offer mainstream vehicles with a European edge in styling and performance, then it might improve its fortunes in the U.S. market. I do agree with some of the other forum members about the statement about overengineered vehicles geared towards performance. I don't think VW should resort to offering cheap, boring cars in its bid to increase market share. They should look to other mainstream manufacturers to build a business model; they should not try to directly replicate their products and lose their German/Euro identity. The main problem with the current Jetta is that it looks like a Corolla-wannabe minus the reliability. I think they do need to change their focus. The Euro-luxury wannabe image didn’t quite fit (especially with the poor reliability issue). The Phaeton was the poster child for the failure of this image for VW (anonymous looking luxury barge from a nonluxury brand). If VW can fix its reliability issues and offer mainstream vehicles with a European edge in styling and performance, then it might improve its fortunes in the U.S. market.

I do agree with some of the other forum members about the statement about overengineered vehicles geared towards performance. I don’t think VW should resort to offering cheap, boring cars in its bid to increase market share. They should look to other mainstream manufacturers to build a business model; they should not try to directly replicate their products and lose their German/Euro identity. The main problem with the current Jetta is that it looks like a Corolla-wannabe minus the reliability.

]]> By: AMGoff http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328766 AMGoff Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:14:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328766 yeah.. you work on that veedub.. let me know how it works out... yeah.. you work on that veedub.. let me know how it works out…

]]> By: Commodore http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328611 Commodore Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:13:21 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328611 Big dreams is all I hear. Big dreams is all I hear.

]]> By: 1487_GM_SALES http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328566 1487_GM_SALES Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:03:10 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328566 Across the country, Tow truck companies are gitty with delight. Across the country, Tow truck companies are gitty with delight.

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328553 TOZO Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:31:08 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328553 VW is on some serious crack! Sales of 800,000 VWs & 200,000 Audis in the US? Don't forget sales of 50,000 Bentleys, & 20,000 Lambos, & 5,000 Bugattis while you're dreaming! VW (the 18th best selling auto brand in 2006 & also 2007 so far - and outsold by #16 Mercedes & #14 BMW! [2006 rank]) at sales of 800,000 would become the #7 brand barely under #6 Nissan and the current #7 Chrysler under that crazy theory. And audi: Audi plans to sell as many autos as VW sells now!? VW is on some serious crack! Sales of 800,000 VWs & 200,000 Audis in the US? Don’t forget sales of 50,000 Bentleys, & 20,000 Lambos, & 5,000 Bugattis while you’re dreaming!

VW (the 18th best selling auto brand in 2006 & also 2007 so far – and outsold by #16 Mercedes & #14 BMW! [2006 rank]) at sales of 800,000 would become the #7 brand barely under #6 Nissan and the current #7 Chrysler under that crazy theory. And audi: Audi plans to sell as many autos as VW sells now!?

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328540 autonut Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:11:51 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328540 VW does not sell in Europe as much as they wantl either. Lower segment A & B is taken over by Toyota/Honda/Nissan/Koreans; they do not have micro cars; European compact and sub-compact classes are seeing resurgence from France and Fiat group plus Ford, GM and usual suspects Toyota/Honda/Nissan/Koreans. You really don't notice that many "Fuhrer presents to people" anymore. There are quite a few taxis made by Skoda (WV subsidiary) in poorer countries of Europe and Audi diesels in Austria and Germany. But even in Austria and Germany there mush more Benzes taxis and BMW diesels (or at least that is what I observed without actually counting them). Their market share is way off since 70-80-90's when French automakers and Fiat were in trouble and Japanese did not invade full force. VW does not sell in Europe as much as they wantl either. Lower segment A & B is taken over by Toyota/Honda/Nissan/Koreans; they do not have micro cars; European compact and sub-compact classes are seeing resurgence from France and Fiat group plus Ford, GM and usual suspects Toyota/Honda/Nissan/Koreans. You really don’t notice that many “Fuhrer presents to people” anymore. There are quite a few taxis made by Skoda (WV subsidiary) in poorer countries of Europe and Audi diesels in Austria and Germany. But even in Austria and Germany there mush more Benzes taxis and BMW diesels (or at least that is what I observed without actually counting them). Their market share is way off since 70-80-90’s when French automakers and Fiat were in trouble and Japanese did not invade full force.

]]> By: RicardoHead http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328500 RicardoHead Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:23:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328500 Lower the prices, improve the reliability, and make the vehicles noticable and VW has a shot. Keep selling overpriced poor quality crap and they may as well stay in Europe where that junk sells. Lower the prices, improve the reliability, and make the vehicles noticable and VW has a shot. Keep selling overpriced poor quality crap and they may as well stay in Europe where that junk sells.

]]> By: R1GHT30U5 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328499 R1GHT30U5 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:18:16 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328499 “They are over engineered and made for high-speed performance for the European driving environment.” This statement also worries me. This is exactly the kind of thinking that got Benz in trouble a few years back with their build quality. Cutting their selling price is a good idea but if they are going to be 5% over the Japanese with their poor quality I dont see them having alot of luck there. I think building a US plant will increase their quality over the Mexico division though. VW, 1. Quality up 2. Price down 3. Profit Good luck! “They are over engineered and made for high-speed performance for the European driving environment.”

This statement also worries me. This is exactly the kind of thinking that got Benz in trouble a few years back with their build quality.

Cutting their selling price is a good idea but if they are going to be 5% over the Japanese with their poor quality I dont see them having alot of luck there. I think building a US plant will increase their quality over the Mexico division though.

VW,

1. Quality up
2. Price down
3. Profit

Good luck!

]]> By: Hari http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328497 Hari Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:01:26 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328497 "he admits. “They are over engineered and made for high-speed performance for the European driving environment.”" Grrrr... He admits that most Americans don't want real cars. That why we end up with a bunch of automatic transmission, overweight, non-handling crap! It's attitudes like this that make me want to drive my 15 year old 5-series forever. “he admits. “They are over engineered and made for high-speed performance for the European driving environment.””

Grrrr… He admits that most Americans don’t want real cars. That why we end up with a bunch of automatic transmission, overweight, non-handling crap! It’s attitudes like this that make me want to drive my 15 year old 5-series forever.

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328492 autonut Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:51:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328492 Good point Tom. If PeoplesCar want to sell 1 mil vehicles and population of US will not dramatically surge in the next 12 years, they have to erode someone else's sale. Considering outstanding quality of their fleet it sounds like a marketing game, NOT. I suspect illegitimate offspring of Fuhrer has a seat on the board and infects the rest of them with his illusions. Good point Tom. If PeoplesCar want to sell 1 mil vehicles and population of US will not dramatically surge in the next 12 years, they have to erode someone else’s sale. Considering outstanding quality of their fleet it sounds like a marketing game, NOT. I suspect illegitimate offspring of Fuhrer has a seat on the board and infects the rest of them with his illusions.

]]> By: Hyperlite http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328490 Hyperlite Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:50:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328490 Tell you what, i went a played around on the VW site for a while the other day, built an R32, a GTI, and a GLI....those are some great looking cars. Tell you what, i went a played around on the VW site for a while the other day, built an R32, a GTI, and a GLI….those are some great looking cars.

]]> By: TomF http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html/comment-page-1#comment-328479 TomF Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:15:55 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-to-increase-us-sales-to-1-million.html#comment-328479 "We need to come back to our original roots as 'the people's car' and 'drivers wanted'?" Jesus Christ. The first line goes back to Hitler and the second is from the 1990s -- not exactly VW's "original roots." They CAN'T go back to the 1960s because the market surrounding VW is totally different. In the '60s VW sold one bread-and-butter car and a couple of niche vehicles (microbus, Squareback, Karmann, etc.) against a small morass of American monster-cars. Relibility was a minor issue and there was no Asian competition. Running a "roots play" today will get them killed. You could argue that what they are doing NOW -- complementing the Asians' leadership in passenger cars, slotting in underneath Euro luxury brands, and avoiding a serious challenge to the US lead in trucks/SUVs -- is exactly the right strategy. They sure as hell aren't going to out-Camcord the Camcord. “We need to come back to our original roots as ‘the people’s car’ and ‘drivers wanted’?” Jesus Christ. The first line goes back to Hitler and the second is from the 1990s — not exactly VW’s “original roots.”

They CAN’T go back to the 1960s because the market surrounding VW is totally different. In the ’60s VW sold one bread-and-butter car and a couple of niche vehicles (microbus, Squareback, Karmann, etc.) against a small morass of American monster-cars. Relibility was a minor issue and there was no Asian competition. Running a “roots play” today will get them killed. You could argue that what they are doing NOW — complementing the Asians’ leadership in passenger cars, slotting in underneath Euro luxury brands, and avoiding a serious challenge to the US lead in trucks/SUVs — is exactly the right strategy.

They sure as hell aren’t going to out-Camcord the Camcord.

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