Volkswagen Goes On The Offensive: New Diesel Technology And All Electric Phaeton To Spearhead Efforts

Volkswagen Group said it will reduce investment spending at the VW brand by $1.1 billion a year, as well as switch to a different diesel emissions treatment technology and launch an all-electric Phaeton sedan as the flagship for a new focus on electrification.

VW will increase its focus on long range plug-in hybrids and high-volume electric vehicles with a range of up to 300 km (186 miles), the company said in a statement today. The Phaeton sedan will get an all-electric drivetrain to become the flagship of VW brand's flagship for electrification.

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MDarringer - 10/13/2015 10:33:29 AM

+1 Boost

An electric/PHEV Passat would be a good move but the Phaeton was a bad move, is still a bad move, and will always be a bad move in ANY form it takes.

VW does need an "Avalon" in the USA to replace the CC.

Agent009 - 10/13/2015 11:04:54 AM

-2 Boost

Going after Tesla with a long range EV?

mre30 - 10/13/2015 11:26:33 AM

+1 Boost

VW customers really like their Diesels - I think that this cacophony will all die down once the settlement and fix is announced.

Customers are offended right now, but in all honesty it will not be a big deal to fix in practice. A year from now, customers won't care and will have forgotten all about it. VW has to be really honest, give existing customers generous "coupons" to juice sales. They will get through this.

VW should just "double-down-on-diesel" and roll out new technology to solve the problems - they need (a) an Avalon-like junior phaeton that priced a little above the Passat and (b) a nice 8 seater SUV that could be diesel powered with a 700 mile range and 30 mpg economy. They would sell a ton of those as oil prices will surely rise and people will be looking a fuel economy again.

The electric is a bad strategy because of the packaging issues that hybrids and electrics pose.

MDarringer - 10/13/2015 7:02:56 PM

+5 Boost

When the customers realize that the fix will make their diesels run like crap and not be frugal, they will NOT be pleased.

TheSteve - 10/13/2015 11:58:12 AM

+5 Boost

Title: "Volkswagen Goes On The Offensive..."

It appears VW has been offensive for quite some time. Their customers are offended by the frequency of repairs and the cost of service. Now the entire car market and consumers are offended by Dieselgate. Subsequent to that, we got offended yet again by VW's arrogant posturing and cavalier attitude.

I think it's time for VW/Audi Group to become LESS offensive. That aside, cut that UberJetta project and focus on making better mid-market and economy cars.

carsnyc - 10/13/2015 1:19:12 PM

+3 Boost

VW and Audi are on for a long and bumpy ride.

Bentley, Porsche and Lambo not so much. Totally different clientele

jameswisrik - 10/13/2015 6:37:27 PM

+3 Boost

a new VW Diesel cheat. that's what they are working on.

GMCadillac - 10/13/2015 10:25:32 PM

-7 Boost

VW is not like Japan, where it is filled with cheaters who are desperate to hide the fact that their cars are radioactive.

VW has learned the lesson and I think this will make Germany even stronger than ever.

But Japan will keep cheating.

jameswisrik - 10/14/2015 7:20:15 PM

0 Boost

keep cheating japan...I will still buy your cars.... even when they are radioactive. Because their is no BIGGER CHEATER THAN GM/OBAMA/UAW ...WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY BUILDING DEATH TRAPS THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT!

GMCadillac - 10/14/2015 9:23:42 PM

+1 Boost

Man, James. You can't be serious.