Volkswagen counting on CC (Passat CC that is) to help boost sales

I do not know if the differences between the "CC" and the "Passat" are great enough for this new model to do anything. Many people will probably just view this as the top-of-the-line trim version of the Passat, which I guess it is, but that just means that it is really nothing special.

This "new" Passat still does not look as good as the previous generation Passat. VW has a tough hill to climb in the US with its weak product line-up.

They also need to address the unreliable, overpriced image that a lot of people have of VW too. The CC is based off a "coupe" fad/trend style that comes and goes. Hopefully this new style and name doesn't have a Phaeton effect. We all know how succesful those sales were.

Benz is raking in so much on their over-priced "4-door coupe" that VW decided to build a CC: "Copy-Cat" :)

The car looks good in my opinion.It is certainly the best looking of the current generation Passats.I hope they price it low.

VW is messing up by not offering the 300hp engine and the twin-clutch transmission in the U.S. What makes that car different?

VM needs to bring back the Karmann Ghia.

That's actually a good idea. It would add some personality to the lineup.

I liked this car more than I thought I would after seeing it at the NY auto show, but I still don't think it will do much for sales. There's no way they're expecting this to cause significant sales growth. It's an appealing car, sharp looking, nice interior, but they're delusional if they think it will do any kind of volume. As for the price, the $27K start price is nice, but we all know what happens after you add a few option packages, not to mention the V6/awd.

The last gen Passat was right on the money, and they've lost that momentum. It will take exactly the right new model to get the sales back up. The CC is nice, but it's not that car.

Anyone else notice that the 2010 Taurus looks alot like this CSS.

unless this car is priced and equipped like an Accord, Camry or Malibu, its not boosting sh*it

Spike a bit yes! boost no!

Let me tell you, the Passat owned the 2008 Detroit Auto Show this year. Great car, inspiring styling, great marketing, and the big screen had the best car commercial I have ever seen. This Passat will also be available with a Diesel, which makes tremendous sense not only for reliability and economy, but also on the basis that Diesels tend to need far less maintenance, which is the growing trend among busy Americans these days. The Audi A5 was also a great car, and seemed a good vale at $50k.
I see only one major problem with this car on the looming horizon. With the plummeting American Dollar, most Americans will probably get sticker-shocked with the coming Passat. This car is a good value at $30-40K USD. But if inflation drives this car into the $50s and beyond, most American families strapped with debt will likely be forced to look elsewhere, probably to the safer havens of American Cars since they tend to be more insulated to inflationary pressures as opposed to products from abroad.
The absolute best car I sat inside of had to be the VW Phaeton at the Detroit Car show 3 years ago. It had a warm, roomy and rich interior and felt sturdier than a SUV. It was certainly much nicer than any Lexus or BMW I have seen as cars with all-black dashboards leave much to be desired. BMW is best at engineering for under the hood and related mechanicals. I hear the Phaeton is being redesigned for a comeback in a few years.

Does anyone know if the CC is a Hardtop? By Hardtop I mean a sheet metal fixed roof minus the B-Pillar and minus the window frames around the doors. This is a design that Mercedes has embraced with its clam-shell roofs. The advantage is in rolling the windows down, the entire side of the car is open and airy like a convertible, but with a fixed top. Chrysler used this design back in the 70s.

It is a fixed roof, and is a very nice car. I just didn't understand how it related to the passat. Sure it's the same size, but it's no Passat. So it's a good idea to drop the Passat name from the badge, either that or hold off and let this be the next gen Passat, diesel hybrid and all.

Lay off the crack, please.

The Passat (and the CC) have more of a sporty emphasis than the Lexus ES, and thus I'm not sure they appeal to the same demographic. There may be some overlap in sales, but I feel like there won't be a huge amount of cross-shopping of these two models. I see the Acura TL as a more likely competitor.

I have to admit. My wife and I saw the Lexues ES the other day on the streets, and we both asked each other "what is that?" It looks really nice, very well fit and finish.

VW's traditional market is people looking for practical cars with superior handling and safety (and longevity) which they are well known for. The VW Golf is the ultimate example of "form follows function" ... nobody claims that the Golf is a beautiful car.
But this could draw in an entire new market.
With people here comparing it to a Lexes ES300, but at 1/2 the price ......... it will be interesting.