Volkswagen Executives Prepare To Face Angry Dealers In Las Vegas Showdown

The next chapter in Volkswagen's American story may have a lot to do with what transpires this weekend in a Las Vegas hotel ballroom.

It's where senior VW executives will face a gathering of dealers who have been stewing for years over unfulfilled ambitions, red ink and broken promises. They will try to make the case that they can rebuild the battered brand and justify the $1 billion dealers have invested in it over the past 10 years.

It may be their last shot.

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lirinawi - 3/28/2016 9:43:37 AM

+1 Boost

good

MDarringer - 3/28/2016 10:06:56 AM

-1 Boost

Ask ANY VW dealer and he will say that VW has a habit of showing future product and then mysteriously that future product doesn't materialize.

A 5 and 7-seat crossovers have been imminent for about 5 years now. Dealers wanted a Passat that could tackle the Camry and they got a garbage storm made from an inflated Jetta.

Sit behind the driver's wheel in a Passat sometime and notice that it is not directly in front of you but ever so slightly skewed to the centerline of the vehicle. The NMS Passat was derived by widening a Jetta, but certain hard points could not be moved. Customers notice the offset.

Dealers have clamored for a pickup. VW refused.
Dealers wanted the Polo. VW refused.
VW wanted to bring the Scirocco, but dealers refused because VW projected a base of $40K.

VW is not in it to win it in the USA.

If I were a Chinese automaker, I'd offer to buy VW's network and put Chinese cars into the network and send VW packing.

PUGPROUD - 3/28/2016 10:18:19 AM

+1 Boost

This gathering will turn ugly. Interesting for us but ugly for the parties involved! Actions have consequences.

MDarringer - 3/28/2016 10:54:40 AM

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I really think VW will leave and try to soldier on with Audi and Porsche.

mpls - 3/28/2016 3:30:49 PM

+2 Boost

Audi and poSsche should be split off from VW.. VW is damaged...

MDarringer - 3/28/2016 6:31:41 PM

0 Boost

Sending VW packing would accomplish the same goal. VWAG could then introduce SEAT or Skoda in VW's place.

skytop - 3/30/2016 5:30:31 PM

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VW will have bigger problems that angry dealers if they don't produce a viable repair for all their polluting vehicles. The deadline is soon approaching.

mini22 - 3/30/2016 7:14:36 PM

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Darringer-I suggested exactly that in a separate post. The VW brand has
burned too many bridges in the US. I think VW brand should be pulled and substituted for either Skoda, Seat or both. It would offer a fresher design and would offer a fresh name to ignorant Americans. It's all part of VAG so why would it matter. Further the argument that VW has a history in the US means nothing now. VAG needs a reset in the US.
VW will always be associated with dieselgate now. It's too late to be rehabilitated. If I were speaking to US dealers I would offer a financial commitment to help them rebrand and get the models to them by
2017 with some interim models from the Seat and Skoda inventory now.