Volkswagen to become a “rich people” brand

I really can't understand how can you say Phaeton is hideous.It's only problem is that it's a VW but i belive the design is unquestionable inside and outside.

Wow, looks like Porsche and VW like to lose a lot of money. What else can explain this idiotic move by Winterkorn...if true. He has a prime example of how well those in the US market take to VW moving upmarket with the failure of the Phaeton. If I were a board member, I'd be looking to replace this guy pronto.

didn't we read an article that said VW plans to take on Toyota in terms of global sales a while back? and what's the point of moving upscale when they have audi?

nd what's the point of moving upscale when they have audi?


Exactly.

This is a mistake. VW is the only German brand that sells at "affordable prices" and with them moving upscale, who will offer the conscious consumers Germen-engineered and stylish cars? They still have Seat and Skoda, but these brands are not sold in the US and there are no plans of introducing them as well.

VW moving upscale. That's like Toyota trying to sell a $100K Camry - it'll flop because of the badge. VW should maintain their image as a slightly upmarket mainstream car. Period.

Where is proof. One article said that VW is moving upmarket because Winterkorn wants to give the Tiguan more power with the 260 hp 2.0 T FSI. This does not mean upmarket but more power. Winterkorn also delayed the Passat Coupe (a semi upmarket vehicle), he might even cancel it altogather. He also said that he wants to redesign the Iroc concept (which makes sense as it looks more like next gen GTI than a Scrirocco)

Winterkorn knows what he is doing.

As for the Phaeton, the new Lexus LS looks almost identical but the Phaeton came out years before.

bad strategy for VW. I'll tell you why. Here in europe and all over the world VW means only one thing = VOLKSWAGEN wich form German means "people's car". When Hitler told Ferdinand Porsche to make a small car that was the main idea, to make a cheap car for pople and they created VW. If they try to make VW a car for rich people, they will make a big mistake, cause most of the people cannot accept VW like an expensive and extraordinary brand.

VW is known in Europe as the People Wagon, it will remain so. No one is going to buy a VW passat when they can get the Audi A4, BMW 335i, C-class, Lexus IS350 Acura TL or G35.

They trying to copy Toyota, but I predict they will failed miserably. Just because it work for Toyota, does "NOT" mean it will work for them. I guess they are to copy everything Toyota is doing. First they copy Toyota to by making hybrid of their own.

The Phaeton design was hideous and a rip off, and did Not sales well. The Phaeton was remove from the market in the U.S. already.

I wonder when will the German brands stop copying Toyota/Lexus. First, BMW copy the Lexus LS 8 speed design, and now this. Why don't loser come with something of your own.

Lexus

in my opinion, i dont think that it looks bad, i kind of like it, even though it kind of looks like the A8.

Volkswagen is already a "rich people" brand. Only the rich can afford to make the many repairs they require :)

I don't know why they would attempt to make this move, when Audi is already an up-market "rich people's" brand under the same family tree.

Also considering how well the Phaeton did in sales tells me that this would probbably be a bad idea.

WHY? They've already failed at this!

THEY ALREADY OWN AUDI!

I don't believe this rumor for a second. Piech was an idiot, but Winterkorn was head of the Audi brand two months ago and knows what's best for the two brands!

if VW cannot improve their quality, they'll be lucky to maintain their PRESENT position.

moving upmarket will spell disaster for them. have they NOT learned from the Phaeton?

i suspect they feel forced in this direction as the Euro/Dollar ratio makes "normal" operations in the u.s. have to work on ever thinner margins.