Comments on: Phaeton Due to Return to U.S. http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/ Reviews, opinions and rants on all things Volkswagen Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:06:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Matt Radel http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-159484 Matt Radel Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:10:41 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-159484 @ 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. :) @ 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. :)

]]> By: Marc McDonald http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-159433 Marc McDonald Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:22:01 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-159433 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. 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.

]]> By: Mathew Maher http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-147966 Mathew Maher Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:49:36 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-147966 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. 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.

]]> By: Bill Jorns http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-136566 Bill Jorns Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:27:44 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-136566 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. 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.

]]> By: R32 Shopper http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-72489 R32 Shopper Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:25:43 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-72489 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. 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.

]]> By: Mrad http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-41011 Mrad Thu, 03 May 2007 13:16:09 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-41011 <em>"Honey, I blew up the Passat"</em> 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. “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.

]]> By: Mathew Maher http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-40982 Mathew Maher Thu, 03 May 2007 05:43:19 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-40982 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 :-( 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 :-(

]]> By: Patrick B http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-37489 Patrick B Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:40:00 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-37489 <blockquote>The “luxury” Volkswagen model should stop at the Passat.</blockquote> 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!

The “luxury” Volkswagen model should stop at the Passat.

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!

]]> By: Dax http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/comment-page-1/#comment-37224 Dax Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:18:21 +0000 http://www.volksbloggin.com/2007/04/24/phaeton-due-to-return-to-the-us/#comment-37224 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. 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.

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