Will It Work? VW Plans Arsenal Of 5 SUV's In Effort To Gain US Market Share

The plans for the SUVs, most of which will end up for sale in global markets, were revealed to Autocar by VW board member and technical chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser at the recent New York show.

Neusser, who is responsible for ‘brand and development’, said VW would build three new mainstream SUVs and at least two “coupé versions” of those same models.

The move comes on the back of another bad year for the VW brand in the US as it tries to make headway in America’s booming new car market. Last year VW sales in the US fell by around 10% to just under 367,000 units, despite the ?US market being up by 6%.

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TheSteve - 4/28/2015 2:42:39 PM

+4 Boost

At this time, SUVs are immensely popular. But the big question is what will be the flavor of the day in 5 years time? My understanding is that BMW works hard on trying to figure that out. That's why they offered SUVs before VW/Porsche/Audi jumped on the bandwagon.

Assuming the SUV craze is still in full swing when VW introduces their new models, and IF VW supplies *GOOD* new SUVs, then people will take notice and buy their products.

However, in my view, VW is still battling widespread perception that they're "just VW" (speaks to the defects, quality of materials, fit, and finish, and "practical" styling) while being pricey in the showroom, pricey in the service centre, and frequent visitors to the service centre. In other words, many feel VWs are overpriced for what they are, or insufficient quality for what they charge.

These factors work against VW sales today, and will in the future unless VW improves its act. I was surprised to learn that the 2015 VW Touareg is more expensive than the 2015 Audi Q5, which is positioned as a luxury SUV. I'm sure that'll send some people to Audi showrooms instead of VW's!

carsnyc - 4/28/2015 2:49:39 PM

+2 Boost

For Christ sake VW, fix first what's broken! Wake up!

MDarringer - 4/28/2015 9:23:33 PM

0 Boost

Pure idiocy. They are getting into the SUV market 15 years late and the product is years in the future. The article shows that VW still does not get that it is a "Hyundai" brand and by that I mean Hyundai of 1995. VW makes sort of good vehicles, but quality/durability/reliability is sorely lacking.

VW does not need a barrage of SUVs.

It needs a competent Jetta to battle the Corolla.
It needs a competent Passat to battle the Camry.
It needs a competent Tarshiquia to battle the Highlander/Explorer
It needs a competent Sharquinthia to battle the hotly contested pickup market.

mini22 - 4/29/2015 7:42:54 PM

+3 Boost

The small SUV/CUV market is starting to heat up now, however. We now have the Fiat 500X, Honda HRV, Nissan Juke, and Mazda CX3 coming out this year.So this size vehicle is needed and needed now. What VW does not need right now is a Beetle. VW could have made it really stand out from the Golf by offering it in speedster form, 4DR form, and AWD form.
However VW has decided not to do any of this other than just offering updated cosmetic packages. I think the Golf cannibalizes the Beetle and offers simply more choices. That is why Beetle sales are tanking. so I think a Tiguan and Toureg replacement along with this smaller SUV/CUV is a good start to offer product that people want. Of course a complete overhaul of the Passat and Jetta would also help.

MDarringer - 4/29/2015 9:04:03 PM

+1 Boost

Kill the Toerag. Kill the Tigquishia.