Phaeton Due to Return to U.S.
April 24, 2007 – 8:45 am by Matt Radel
Filed under Rants, Volkswagen Phaeton
Leftlane reports that the Phaeton will be returning to the U.S. “smaller and cheaper”. May I ask why?
“Volkswagen hopes to save significant development costs on the 2010 model by sharing a chassis, transmissions, and engines with the next-generation Audi A6. It’s not known if these savings will make the new Phaeton less expensive than its predecessor, but it’s certainly possible.”
I’m sorry, but this is stupid. The VW brass is really starting to make me scratch my head. The Phaeton was a dismal failure, and a contradiction to the core values of the brand. I keep asking, why would someone want a luxury VW? Why does it exist? They’re already looking at ways to separate the A8 from the Phaeton, which target the same market of course. Wouldn’t a successful Phaeton cannibalize A8 sales?
Volkswagen of America already axed the arrival of the Scirocco for fear of what it might do to GTI sales, which I must say might be the right choice. So they make a (relatively) smart move in there, and a flat out dumb ass move here. All this does is support my fear that VW is truly attempting to move the brand upscale. And if they do, I’m gone.
Thanks for rockin’ the news, Leftlane.
Phaeton Due to Return to U.S.
April 24, 2007 – 8:45 am by Matt Radel
The “luxury” Volkswagen model should stop at the Passat. Bottom line. Of course they’ll sell a few. Let’s even go so far as to assume it’s successful. It still just doesn’t make sense from, as you said, the brand’s core values.
I agree with you there. And despite the fact that I own a new GTI, I was disappointed they decided to drop the Scirocco. At least the R32 is still coming (in limited quantities).
On a side note, I saw my first Phaeton on a trip to Boone, NC last weekend. Sadly, the owner had not taken care of it — it had dents and scratches all over. For shame!
While I agree that the “luxury” model should stop at the Passat, I’d also like to see VW attempt to tackle the extra-large, extra-luxury market segment in order compete with the Benz S-class and BMW 7-Series sedans.
The downfall I noticed with the Pheaton was that (a) it was over priced, and (b) the frame was made from steel – not aluminum as it’s A8 cousin. Now, if VW can offer a more powerful (and fuel-efficient) W8 and V10 TDI engines, and use either aluminum body or a combination aluminum and titanium (maybe? I’m not sure how Ti will work in the automotive world.) to construct the body, then maybe the 2nd Gen Phaeton will be more accepting in the US market.
As for the design and size – my thoughts on the 1st Gen Phaeton were “Honey, I blew up the Passat.” It needs it’s own distinct styling to separate it from the Passat. If they make it smaller, then it’s just an over-priced Passat.
Also, I haven’t heard that the new Scirocco was axed due to the fear of GTI sales. That makes me sad and mad. They sold GTIs and Sciroccos/Corrodos side-by-side before back in the 80′s and early 90′s. Here’s my idea on the Scirocco “fear”. Offer the Scirocco with the 3.2L V6 240HP and make a few items that are optional on the GTI and make them standard on the Scirocco – like the Technology Package, dual tip exhaust (like on the R32), and of course have the 4Motion option on the Scirocco. – just my idea.
I was really looking forward to seeing the Scirocco next year :-(
“Honey, I blew up the Passat”
DUDE – That is freakin’ hysterical! I love it! That’s a perfect way to size up the Phaeton. As for the Scirocco, stay tuned. I’ve heard that the final call will actually be made by Germany on that one in 2008. Keep your fingers crossed.
a luxury VW? is like a luxury Kia….yeah its true a few will sell but if youre going to spend that kind of money, you might as well get an Audi where the word luxury fits. just my 2 cents.
I have to agree with Matthew Maher on this:
“The downfall I noticed with the Phaeton was that (a) it was over priced, and (b) the frame was made from steel – not aluminum as it’s A8 cousin. Now, if VW can offer a more powerful (and fuel-efficient) W8 and V10 TDI engines, and use either aluminum body or a combination aluminum and titanium (maybe? I’m not sure how Ti will work in the automotive world.) to construct the body, then maybe the 2nd Gen Phaeton will be more accepting in the US market.”
-especially his comment about the car being overpriced. If VW can give us a less-expensive version of the Phaeton, more Americans would buy it. The first-gen version was so well constructed and handled so beautifully (remember, I test-drove one), it’s a real shame that they had to drop it from the U.S. lineup due to poor sales.
However, I don’t think the Phaeton’s design was “Honey, I blew up the Passat.” The Phaeton had a unique silhouette, very different from the Passat when you looked at it from the side. The Phaeton and the Passat were two distinctly separate cars.
Okay, I just did some pricing. A fully-loaded 2008 Passat, VR6 + 4Motion, with DVD Navi + iPod adaptor and optional 18-inch wheels adds up to about $44,100.
So, if Volkswagen were to bring in a 2nd Generation Phaeton, it would have to start at around $52,200 and top out at around $74,100 fully loaded ($82,000 at the most) – and once again not give it a bland, generic design, as they did the first time.
Just my thoughts – once again.
VW is looking to position the Phaeton between an A6 and A8. I wouldn’t rule out VW’s prospects in making Phaeton a success over the long term.
The Germans take an extremely long-term view with industry. Although they don’t always make the best day-to-day decisions, over the long term, they usually prevail.
This is the reason that the German auto industry overall is a success these days, setting new records for production each year, while Detroit is in the toilet.
Detroits’s overpaid CEOs (who make 10 times what their German counterparts make) have made one stupid, short-sighted decision after another now for decades.
So before you dump on VW and Phaeton, just remember one thing: right after WWII, representatives from the U.S. and Britain toured Germany and took a look at the VW plant. It was offered to them for practically nothing. But they turned it down, saying that the little VW Beetle would never sell.
@ Marc: Good point – but my issue with the Phaeton return was more that they seem to be taking the brand away from its core of being “The People’s Car”, something more blue collar than luxury. I’d certainly hope they know what they’re doing though. :)