A New World Order Takes Shape - VW Moves To Number Three Globally

After losing it's number two position in worldwide sales to Toyota back in 2003, Ford has suffered another blow by moving to fourth place behind the Volkswagen Group.

During the first half of 2008, Volkswagen moved into the third position behind Toyota and GM, leaving Ford in fourth place.

Volkswagen reported sales of 3.27 million vehicles during the first half of the year, which resulted in a a 5.8 percent increase over 2007. Ford however hand saw its sales fall 11 percent during the same period to 3.09 million vehicles. Toyota Corporation reported 4.82 million vehicles in the first half of the year.

PHOTO GALLERY: Quantum of Solace Bond Car and the craziness of Comicon
2008!

http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/2008-Comicon-87/

SixxFive - 7/30/2008 11:12:40 AM

-1 Boost

drake....in case you didn't know, this is a site for auto enthusiasts...not ignorant a**holes.

IamEvilHomer - 7/30/2008 4:35:04 PM

+1 Boost

VW was #3 a few years back
they are just back where they belong

drake0707 - 7/31/2008 11:06:41 AM

+1 Boost

ignorant is not knowing, the truth is out there...

SixxFive - 7/30/2008 11:13:43 AM

+1 Boost

...ooops...thanks Spies for removing Drake's posting.

CRS2112 - 7/30/2008 11:41:40 AM

+2 Boost

I traded my costly and unreliable 2003 BMW for a VW and I don't regret it at all. I like what VW has to offer. People here talk about them being unreliable - but yet every real world person that owns one has no issues. I can't say that about BMW 3 owners that I know. Congrats to VW - hopefully they can pull there US market strategy together and sell more here.

Caraficionado - 7/30/2008 1:30:51 PM

+9 Boost

CRS2112, you can't deny VW has had many quality problems in the past few years.

CRS2112 - 7/30/2008 1:43:35 PM

+1 Boost

You are right - VW did go through a tough stretch with quality. I have read that they have made great strides over the past several years. I am not going to say they are the greatest company ever but VW exceeds my needs in many areas. The turbo has won engine of the year many times and is very reliable from what I have read. Time will tell. So far - not one issue with mine.

bmwdrvr - 7/30/2008 2:22:33 PM

+1 Boost

"every" real world person that has one has no issues......you either work for VW, or are a dealer, because that has to be the biggest crock Ive ever heard......

daytonaviolet - 7/30/2008 3:19:44 PM

+1 Boost

I like the way Volkswagens look and drive, but a Jetta I had definitely had some issues. I do hope they are fixing the reliability issues, because they are great otherwise!

CRS2112 - 7/30/2008 4:10:27 PM

+1 Boost

"every" real world person that has one has no issues......you either work for VW, or are a dealer, because that has to be the biggest crock Ive ever heard......

This coming from a BMW owner. Shall I list the common issues known to all 3 series. Hmm....

Bad control arm bushings - check
Bad waterpumps - check
High failure rate on automatic transmission - check
Electrical Issues in heated/memory seats - check
Bad door lock actuators - check
Cracked rear control arms - check

Those are the most common issues found on the bmw boards. Sure - you are now going to respond that those are just angry message board owners and don't reflect the true reliability of the cars.

I have no problem people talking trash when they have something they own to back it up. Go drive your slow 325 184 horsepower bimmer. At least you will be able to catch up to me in corners.....

Agent009 - 7/30/2008 1:25:44 PM

+1 Boost

VW doesn't tend to boast, they rely on an informed buyer.

I guess a VW buyer already knows what they want and has done their research, that is why the are at the dealership in the first place. I read they have one of the highest education demographics in the industry.

M35MT - 7/30/2008 3:13:51 PM

+3 Boost

Actually, as of recently, VW has relied heavily on the fact that they're made in Germany. Even more so now with the retro Bug that has a German accent. They also seem to stress the "affordability" of their cars, (rabbit, jetta, bug) must be that the perception that they are upscale and pricey is hurting their sales.

ghosthunter - 7/30/2008 3:38:56 PM

+1 Boost

no one, as for as i know, buying VW for its reliablity. most of them buying VW for the "german made" though they are acutally made in mexico.
also, some VW has huge discounts. my friend's passet, MSRP at 26k, was OTD for 20k, consider the sells tax is 8.25, you gonna love the deep discount of the VW.

Spectator - 7/30/2008 12:51:34 PM

-1 Boost

Nice tounge in cheek title 009. NewYorker quality.

Agent009 - 7/30/2008 1:25:55 PM

0 Boost

thx

NItePhire - 7/30/2008 1:53:08 PM

+1 Boost

I don't think that Ford was surprised by this at all and neither should any of us informed folks be. They will probably drop to sixth by this time two years from now. Sad but true. They (Ford) will fix what ails them but not in the next 12 months.