Volkswagen Phaeton may return to U.S.(considers diesel powerplant for U.S.)
02-02-08, 08:41 PM
#31
Speaks French in Russian
I have nothing but good things to say about the Phaeton. I drove one when they first came out years ago at a dealerhip event and thought it was a stellar car. Big, drove very nice, nicely laid out interior, high quality materials. VW really put in a lot of effort. But I knew from the beginning it wasnt going to make it here. Its really unfortunate that many didnt care what the car had to offer, but were instead drawn away from it because of the badge. Now many are on the market in the upper 20k-high 30K for the V8 and 30-upper 40K range for the W12 with fairly low miles. What a deal. If I were in the market for a big used luxury sedan, I wouldnt hesitate to pick one up.
02-02-08, 08:49 PM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
I have nothing but good things to say about the Phaeton. I drove one when they first came out years ago at a dealerhip event and thought it was a stellar car. Big, drove very nice, nicely laid out interior, high quality materials. VW really put in a lot of effort. But I knew from the beginning it wasnt going to make it here. Its really unfortunate that many didnt care what the car had to offer, but were instead drawn away from it because of the badge. Now many are on the market in the upper 20k-high 30K for the V8 and 30-upper 40K range for the W12 with fairly low miles. What a deal. If I were in the market for a big used luxury sedan, I wouldnt hesitate to pick one up.
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-02-08 at 08:52 PM.
02-02-08, 08:50 PM
#33
Lexus Test Driver
They are still going to face an uphill battle. Last time the Phaeton was competing against the previous generation of S-Class and LS. Fast forward to 2010... they will be competing against large luxury sedans that have blown the bar out of the water compared to last generation. I agree the Phaeton was a very nicely appointed vehicle and an outstanding value, but I agree with Mike on this that here in America you have to have some PRESTIGE to successfully sell a car in that class. It's the same reason why I think Infiniti and Acura are in very tough spots.
02-11-08, 07:55 AM
#34
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
VW considers diesel powerplant for U.S. Phaeton
VW considers diesel powerplant for U.S. Phaeton
Posted on Monday 11 February 2008
The Phaeton limo may have been a major flop for Volkswagen but officials are keen to see the launch of a successor, especially in the U.S. where it could pose as a technical and environmental flagship for the carmaker. The original model was priced similarly to BMWs and Audis but it wore a humble VW badge, and there was nothing particularly exciting or innovative about the car to warrant its premium price tag, except for being ridiculously over-engineered. As for the new model, it could potentially feature VW’s advanced turbodiesel technology and utilize Audi’s new modular platform to create a true premium flagship.
The information comes from VW’s U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby, who told reporters from Automotive News that if VW wants to be bigger in the U.S. it will have to offer a broader range of vehicles to meet the “needs and wants of a diverse American customer universe.” One of the vehicles near the top of Jacoby’s list is a new Phaeton. Just last month he told reporters at a news conference that it was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in North America.
Although he didn’t provide any solid details about the next-gen model, previous execs have hinted that it will arrive without many luxury features and only in the shorter wheelbase. The previous model sold for more than $70,000 and only managed 2,814 sales over the entire period it was on offer in the States.
VW’s strategy for the US also involves the introduction of a coupe-sedan style model called the Passat CC as well as a new model to sit between the Passat CC and the Phaeton.
Posted on Monday 11 February 2008
The Phaeton limo may have been a major flop for Volkswagen but officials are keen to see the launch of a successor, especially in the U.S. where it could pose as a technical and environmental flagship for the carmaker. The original model was priced similarly to BMWs and Audis but it wore a humble VW badge, and there was nothing particularly exciting or innovative about the car to warrant its premium price tag, except for being ridiculously over-engineered. As for the new model, it could potentially feature VW’s advanced turbodiesel technology and utilize Audi’s new modular platform to create a true premium flagship.
The information comes from VW’s U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby, who told reporters from Automotive News that if VW wants to be bigger in the U.S. it will have to offer a broader range of vehicles to meet the “needs and wants of a diverse American customer universe.” One of the vehicles near the top of Jacoby’s list is a new Phaeton. Just last month he told reporters at a news conference that it was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in North America.
Although he didn’t provide any solid details about the next-gen model, previous execs have hinted that it will arrive without many luxury features and only in the shorter wheelbase. The previous model sold for more than $70,000 and only managed 2,814 sales over the entire period it was on offer in the States.
VW’s strategy for the US also involves the introduction of a coupe-sedan style model called the Passat CC as well as a new model to sit between the Passat CC and the Phaeton.
02-11-08, 09:14 AM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
VW’s U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby
Just last month he told reporters at a news conference that it was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in North America.
Just last month he told reporters at a news conference that it was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in North America.
.....and this from the MAN himself.
02-18-08, 07:07 AM
#36
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
VW analyses Phaeton failure, reveals new details about next-gen model
VW analyses Phaeton failure, reveals new details about next-gen model
Posted on Monday 18 February 2008
By all accounts, the Phaeton limo has been a major flop for Volkswagen and nowhere has it performed more badly than in the U.S. where the decision to drop the car came just two years after its launch. Since going on sale back in 2003, VW America managed to find a home for just 3,354 cars in total and last year’s tally was the worst yet with just 17 sales. Despite the poor result VW is considering bringing the next-generation Phaeton to the U.S. but first officials need to analyze what went wrong with the original car.
Some of the problems, as described by VW America CEO Stefan Jacoby, include initial quality issues, overpricing and lackluster styling. Prices for the car started at about $70,000 and went all the way up to $100,000 for the flagship W12 model. Speaking with Automotive News, Jacoby said a good price for the new model would be about $55,000 and described the new car as being smaller than the current model so as to not compete with its Audi A8 cousin. Jacoby wasn’t willing to give a release date for the car but earlier reports claim it will be launched in Europe by 2010.
To further differentiate the new Phaeton from its rivals, officials are also considering adding a diesel model to the lineup but no final decision has been made. The only thing that’s certain is that if it does arrive the car will still carry the Phaeton name. “The Phaeton is the name of Volkswagen’s luxury. We are proud of this name, and this name fits this car,” Jacoby explained.
Posted on Monday 18 February 2008
By all accounts, the Phaeton limo has been a major flop for Volkswagen and nowhere has it performed more badly than in the U.S. where the decision to drop the car came just two years after its launch. Since going on sale back in 2003, VW America managed to find a home for just 3,354 cars in total and last year’s tally was the worst yet with just 17 sales. Despite the poor result VW is considering bringing the next-generation Phaeton to the U.S. but first officials need to analyze what went wrong with the original car.
Some of the problems, as described by VW America CEO Stefan Jacoby, include initial quality issues, overpricing and lackluster styling. Prices for the car started at about $70,000 and went all the way up to $100,000 for the flagship W12 model. Speaking with Automotive News, Jacoby said a good price for the new model would be about $55,000 and described the new car as being smaller than the current model so as to not compete with its Audi A8 cousin. Jacoby wasn’t willing to give a release date for the car but earlier reports claim it will be launched in Europe by 2010.
To further differentiate the new Phaeton from its rivals, officials are also considering adding a diesel model to the lineup but no final decision has been made. The only thing that’s certain is that if it does arrive the car will still carry the Phaeton name. “The Phaeton is the name of Volkswagen’s luxury. We are proud of this name, and this name fits this car,” Jacoby explained.
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