Volkswagen Pulls Out The Big Guns By Picking Former BMW Manager To Run US Operations

Volkswagen has picked former BMW manager Hinrich Woebcken to run the North American business of its core brand, sources told Reuters, as the carmaker faces growing criticism of its handling of the emissions scandal in the U.S.

Four months after the diesel emissions scandal broke, there is no timetable for winning approval of a fix for about 500,000 affected U.S. cars, or for lifting the government's ban on the sale of 2016 VW diesel models.

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PUGPROUD - 1/19/2016 12:11:54 PM

+1 Boost

Good choice but the key to making US operations viable is PRODUCT!!!!! VW needs to develop cars US buyers want and need not just ship European market cars to US. Build a car that US buyers have to have (defined as "I'm willing to put my house mortgage at risk to own that car.") and they will come. In my case it would be a Beatle modeled after a 356 Porsche...light weight, 280+ horsepower with flat torque curve, 6 speed manual, wide low body with great stance, superior handling, 4 wheel drive and a great sound. Now that's a halo car to get my juices flowing and recommending VW to fellow enthusiasts.

atc98092 - 1/19/2016 1:21:43 PM

+2 Boost

They have developed a model specific for the NA market. It's the current Passat, which I own. At first the sales were great, but now everyone is saying why can't we have the same model they have in Europe? You just can't please everyone.

I think VW would do better by bringing into the US some of the models they sell elsewhere, such as the Amrock, UP!, and Polo. Many people are clamoring for a Scirocco.

W208 - 1/19/2016 2:10:11 PM

+2 Boost

The Scirocco R would get me into a dealership. I would have bought that over the Caliber SRT4 I owned previously.

I was stoked when I had to move to the Netherlands to work because I could finally see one in the flesh. Turns out they don't even sell them there. When I did finally see one parked outside of a Babydump, my wife had to tackle me to keep me from laying across the hood.

I get excited about certain cars that Europeans get that we don't.

MDarringer - 1/19/2016 8:04:45 PM

+1 Boost

When the Scirocco came out, VW considered it for the USA, but the lowest base they could project was $35K with loaded models easily hitting $45K.

Dealers were not pleased.

The Scirocco needs to be well equipped for $25K, a "GTI" version for $30K well equipped, and an R version for $35K.

The CC was another dumb move. The CC sold at at trickle. It was too small and too expensive.

MDarringer - 1/19/2016 7:54:57 PM

0 Boost

Hiring a German to do the job is deeply offensive. They needed to hire an AMERICAN to take charge for the sake of PR. Hiring a BMW guy is very "meet the new Gestapo...same as the old Gestapo" thinking.

It's VW's German arrogance that is trashing it and hiring another German does not change matters.

VW needs products that mirror Ford/Honda/Toyota/Hyundai/Kia for price, quality, reliability, and durability. That may be impossible given how far behind VW is.

The Euro Passat would be a massive leap backward for the US operation.