Volkswagen America gets ‘OK’ to expand lineup

Adrian Hallmark, Vice President of Volkswagen America, has been pushing the board to expand the US vehicle lineup for some time now. But now, Hallmark can breathe a sign of relief after his plan has cleared major obstacles set by his German bosses.

“The specific products we requested have been through an absolutely critical review process, in detail,” he told Automotive News. “Small details have been changed, but nothing that will fundamentally threaten the cars or the timing.”

The new vehicles include:

- The Tiguan small SUV.
- A Passat-based four-door with coupe styling.
- A minivan developed jointly with Chrysler.

The Volkswagen Tiguan will hit US shores in the second half of 2008 priced under $25,000. The Passat-based four-dour coupe (which could be the car we posted spy shots of last week) will have a sportier roofline and will be positioned below the Passat. The minivan, called Project ‘M,’ will make its official debut in the second half of 2008 built in collaboration with Chrysler based on the new Town & Country.

A Volkswagen Phaeton replacement is also in the works.
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daytonaviolet - 4/16/2007 11:44:51 AM

0 Boost

Volkswagen doesn't need to make more cars, they need to make more reliable cars.

dan1122 - 4/16/2007 4:03:07 PM

+2 Boost

THEY SHOULD DROP THE VW NAME AND JUST CALL IT THE PHAETON

Occarnut - 4/16/2007 10:39:37 PM

+1 Boost

then they took a look at Maybach.

atomicbri - 4/16/2007 6:27:35 PM

+4 Boost

I saw the Polo at the Auto show here in NY and I think they need to give us a smaller VW, not a bigger one again. The Phaeton, though it was nice, was too pricey and come on let's face it, the American public is not ready for a $65,000 VW. That's BMW, Mercedes, Audi, & Lexus money there.
The Polo BlueTech was really neat and looked really good inside for a cheap, small car. GOt great milage and was a decent size inside while being small outside. I guess I am a sucker for small cars living in the parallel parking world of NYC.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/16/2007 7:19:58 PM

+2 Boost

What I think will bring them the most profit is the Tiguan. If they market it right, it could be played up as the "hip" crossover SUV for urban families and stylish singles. Catchy, right? And, best of all, the Tiguan doesn't look half-bad. IMO the concept was better-looking than CR-V, RAV4, etc... but then again, it's just a concept. I'll reserve myself for the production version.

DieselRules - 4/17/2007 2:10:07 AM

+2 Boost

They need the Tiguan, but more importantly, the POLO.
VW practically owns the small-car market internationally, yet in North America they're letting Nissan and Toyota and Kia walk away with it.
On the other hand, the profits in those small cars are very small, and there's only so much room on the lot.
The new Jetta 2.0 TDI will be wildly successful!

MookGmbH - 4/17/2007 3:07:56 PM

+1 Boost

HOORAY TDI. I love the diesel movement in this country slowing eeking its way to a hopeful success.