Volkswagen To Become More Aggressive In Styling And Performance Across The Lineup

VW will become more daring with the range of models and body styles it puts into production in a bid to strengthen the brand’s appeal.

Speaking at the Beijing Motor Show, VW Sales and Marketing boss Jurgen Stackmann told Auto Express that VW’s success in China, which accounts for half of the company’s annual sales, has played a vital role in the decision for VW to become more daring with its model lineup.

“There is a new dimension in Volkswagen; we are being more authoritative and bullish,” Stackmann told us. “We are capturing the core segments well; our models are positioned in a way that they are symbols of the segment but there is a lot more playground for us.”

He added: “That’s one of the primary roles of China. It’s young, and allows us to put more body styles into production that we wouldn’t be able to do in Europe alone. You will see a lot from us in the next two years that will surprise you and show a fresh side to the VW brand.”

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TomM - 4/26/2018 2:35:27 PM

+3 Boost

Until VW solves its quality problems and gets a reputation AGAIN for building reliable cars - and also brings its repair costs under control - It will take a real styling breakthrough for VW to make it in the USA - also knowing that our idea of a well styled car does not match that in Europe - China - or Japan as well. SUch a breathrough IS possible - but highly unlikely since VW now is known for its CONSERVATIVE styling. But styling CAN sell a car - the Mustang remains a great example - it was not a SPECIAL car when it came out - in fact it was FAR less than that - but people wanted to be SEEN in it and they bought it.

Currently - people still think of VW as an ENTRY LEVEL (The beetle is slowly being forgotten - but the cars right after the Beetle were not that exciting either) company. THe Beetle was the everymans car - it was relatively cheap - really cheap to fix - and really easy to fix for the most part as well. Todays cars do not approach that - BUT if you go to a VW dealership with a problem - the cost of doing business is AUDI like bills for a Golf.

TheSteve - 4/26/2018 8:11:51 PM

+2 Boost

Become more aggressive on defects, reliability, and ethics, and you'll get my attention.

MDarringer - 4/26/2018 9:34:55 PM

-3 Boost

Of course these dynamic vehicles will take 10 years to reach the market at which time they will have 10-year-old styling.

llaroo - 4/26/2018 10:22:00 PM

+5 Boost

I have had 2 VW's and 4 Audis and never a problem. Time to put the VW gripes to rest

MDarringer - 4/26/2018 10:39:14 PM

-3 Boost

Ummm NO. VW still lags massively in that respect.

carsnyc - 4/26/2018 11:32:42 PM

+2 Boost

Agreed. Brakes still a problem, electrical still a problem, A/C still a problem. Coworker has a 2017 Bettle that keeps burning its tail lights and rattles like the real insect.

MDarringer - 4/27/2018 8:28:20 AM

-1 Boost

My wife had two Jettas in her past and they both had all of those problems.

mini22 - 4/27/2018 7:54:39 PM

+2 Boost

VW may become more aggressive in styling in other parts of the world-ie Europe and China. However their US approach is still Ultra conservative. Just look at the new Jetta( For US consumption only). Its more aerodynamic but the styling is great for insomnia. To me aggressive styling means "fender flairs" like what they had on old 911 Turbos and the old racing Capri's. Now that is what I call aggressive styling. Since we will not be getting a Focus RS any longer VW, Subaru have a golden opportunity to produce some competition to the Civic Type R and the Veloster N.