Volkswagen: Where are you going?

Hi.

Quote:

Wolfsburg. Following a disappointing previous year's financial results, VW is accelerating its model offensive. The Golf V, which will have its world premiere at the IAA, is scheduled to be available at dealerships in October as a three-door and five-door model. The production capacity in Wolfsburg and Mosel allows for an additional sales volume of 30,000 units in Germany by the end of the year. In the fall of 2004, a trendy high-roof station wagon will follow, which is intended to be positioned below the VW van Touran – the usual variant version of the Golf is not planned. For the new Passat, which will be produced from October 2004 and launched on the market in early 2005, VW intends to offer both the sedan and the station wagon (Variant) versions simultaneously for the first time. To expand the Golf and Passat production at the VW plant in Mosel, approximately one billion euros will be invested by 2007. VW expects additional business from the business unit for sports models. According to information obtained by Automobilwoche from VW's head of technology, Wilfried Bockelmann, the newly established Individual GmbH is planning to produce high-performance versions of the Golf V and Passat starting in 2004, which – following the model of Audi's quattro GmbH – will be marketed as R and RS models.

So, they no longer want to cater to families with the variant derived from the Golf program and are instead focusing on the more expensive Touran . Whether that's the right approach for better sales figures? Well, I'm going to doubt that.

'Anyone looking for a car in the same size class as a VW will likely have to pay the price, whether they want to or not! However, it's more likely that potential customers will simply switch to other brands.'
However, one question remains: why was the new Polo made larger, almost the size of a Golf? Is there perhaps a specific reason behind this?

I think the price difference between the Golf and the Passat is too small. You should check what market share the Golf Variant has. Also, I read (I think in 'GuteFahr') that the new Passat is supposed to be even cheaper than the current Passat, which has already become more affordable. I don't understand the logic behind that!

One reason why, for example, a family-oriented version is no longer offered could be that so-called minivans (see also the new Meriva) are becoming increasingly popular and will likely soon surpass station wagons in popularity.
I was already able to clearly observe this among friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Best regards, D.

Hi,

In my opinion, the Touran is outrageously expensive and also unattractive.

I recently visited a car show where you couldn't find a Touran for less than 26,000 euros – and that was only if the models had a particularly extensive set of features!

I could imagine that Volkswagen, with models like the Golf V and its successors, could definitely regain momentum in the coming years.
Currently, I see a noticeable 'gap' in the product range.

D. wrote:

One reason why, for example, a "family" variant is no longer offered could be that so-called minivans (see also the new Meriva) are becoming increasingly popular and will probably soon surpass station wagons in popularity. I was already able to clearly observe this among friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Hi,

Whoever wants to spend the money on a minivan, they should do it; I certainly won't. Besides, I don't want to drive around in a bulky thing on wheels. It's not that I have anything against minivans (they are really practical cars), but for me, such a vehicle is simply too big. I drive around 80-90% of my annual mileage in a car that is simply too big and too heavy, and therefore also consumes more (too much) fuel. Great (ecological) marketing strategy ! Even a smaller car would be enough for me (like a Polo Variant, for example), but unfortunately, I can no longer tow my Dutch apartment with it .
Whenever I see how other manufacturers are designing their product ranges, I start to have more and more doubts about the leadership at Volkswagen. Peugeot offers the 307 in three body styles, covering everything from a compact car to a station wagon and a minivan. Renault has already done the same with the Megane. The Japanese manufacturers also follow this concept (Toyota, Nissan...). Only Volkswagen seems to be missing the signs of the times again! :shaking head:

Markus H. wrote:

...in my opinion, the Touran is outrageously expensive and also unattractive

.
I completely agree with the first statement, but I'm not so sure about the second one. He's not exactly a handsome man, but you get used to it.

Quote:

Currently, I see a clear "gap" in the model program.

I believe this "gap" will even become larger in the coming years, especially since the Lupo will also be discontinued without a replacement , and the Polo has become too large. If only SEAT or SKODA would fill the gaps in the model range, I wouldn't see it as a major problem.

But for that, VW has a "Überpassat" (Phaeton) and a "Überiltis" (Tuareg). Both cars will certainly help the high-volume manufacturer get out of the crisis .
The development of the Phaeton cost so much money that it will never be profitable. And it's questionable whether the technology used in this vehicle can be reused.