Is Volkswagen's Plan For World Dominance A Going To Be A Fantasy Or A Fact?

The spectacular new $90,000 A8, available in U.S. showrooms in November, arguably positions Audi for the first time to compete head-to-head with BMW, Mercedes and Toyota's Lexus as a top world luxury brand, in terms of prestige as well as the prices paid by buyers. The A8's arrival precedes by less than a year the opening of VW's new Chattanooga, Tennessee assembly plant, where the German automaker will build a midsize sedan to compete with the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Camry and others in hopes of increasing its paltry U.S. market share.


 

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g2ok - 10/11/2010 11:38:42 AM

+2 Boost

Fantasy, for the little more I would rather buy an Audi version.

Bmw8ter - 10/11/2010 12:28:05 PM

+3 Boost

Great headline. Switch to decaf 009.

LexSucks - 10/11/2010 1:35:52 PM

+8 Boost

I hope they invest in extra service bays. They are going to need them. VW's love service bays.

WorldofLuxury - 10/11/2010 5:32:05 PM

+2 Boost

Fantasy. I still think Toyota has the best hope, will, and capability. The Japanese know how to do business. Hyundai-Kia is right on Toyota's tail, but just to catch up that little bit, Hyundai-Kia still has a lot to accomplish.

and yeah. VW cars have quality but not reliability and dependability.

PUGPROUD - 10/11/2010 5:46:08 PM

+1 Boost

Fantasy...with size comes risk aversion, arrogance, false pride and loss of flair. Like Toyota and GM before it, VW's own culture which fuels its rise to number one will be the cause of its decline. Compare the rear end of the new Jetta to that of an Audi and you can see the commonality of thinking that will in time be less pleasing to less market groups.

TauronB2G - 10/11/2010 6:46:14 PM

+2 Boost

Fantasy- VW has to deal with its internal problems before growth is possible. It's bad enough that they seem hell bent on taking Porsche from a sports car maker to a volume boutique brand, which will not only alienate loyalists (some more) but probably negatively affect the brands image and build quality. Then they want to set their eyes on Toyota who is not only a moving target but a target that has its own set of issues that are working against them now.
VW needs to deal with home!
T

TauronB2G - 10/11/2010 6:48:57 PM

+1 Boost

Also, I noticed in the article that they say the new A8 won't be available until november. I have seen at least 3 on the streets in the last 3 months in Chicago. Two of which looked like they may have been press cars as they had Michigan plates and the guys were carrying loads of equipment and one on the street Saturday which looked as if it could have been going on a test drive in Orland Park, illinois.
T

4ron - 10/11/2010 8:29:18 PM

+1 Boost

If the decontented, downgraded, plain looking new Jetta is any indication of how Volkswagen is going to dominate the world they had better go back to the drawing board. The new American made Passat will probably be designed in the same mold.

Whelan - 10/12/2010 9:53:17 AM

+3 Boost

Maybe as soon as they get off the Honda/Toyota bandwagon and build fun cars. The new Jetta is a loser.

wins555 - 10/13/2010 10:28:52 AM

0 Boost

Fantasy. Toyota will still outsell VW group in 10 years no matter how many brands VW buys. Toyota has learned from their recent misfortune and will probably come back with a vengeance.