With the unveiling of the new CC four-door coupe in Detroit this week,
Volkswagen has made clear its intention to expand into the prestige sector. Take the new CC for example. Things like its advanced safety features, self-park assist, and premium leather interior are just a few examples of the many premium features you wouldn't expect to find in you every day V-dub.
It appears now that the CC could be just the first of even more premium models from the ‘People’s Car’ company. During a recent interview with
Auto Motor und Sport, Volkswagen design boss Klaus Bischoff confirmed that the CC will eventually spawn a successor and that an additional model positioned between the CC and the current
Phaeton will also be launched.
One problem we can see is that these new models are likely to cannibalize a significant number of sales of sister brand
Audi, especially in the U.S. where both brands are still struggling for market share in their respective segments.
Another issue is that VW has already tried stretching its brand and competing against the premium German marques. Despite the Phaeton being respected for its advanced engineering, today’s image conscious consumers want something with a fancier badge. Would you ever cross-shop a VW with a
Lexus or an Audi? Let us know in the comments.
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By chris Posted: 1/16/2008 11:05am PST
look, all in all, the only car that they havent had much trouble with quality wise is the phaeton, and no one wants that car (theres about 3 in my neighborhood). why would you pay a premium for an import that is built to equal or lesser quality than american counter parts?
judging from the CC, i'd say this next model will be stunning, but by the time it comes out, the next gen fusion will be out, the next mkz will be out (which probably wont be a rebadge but one stunning little car), the CTS (or perhaps even the CTS-V considering the asking price on the phaeton), and.... what ever chrysler has.... yeah lets not go there. I mean, if jazzy D/E class cars are your thing, there are options. the average consumer looks at VW favourably, mostly because they are an import, but i think that lexus and audi still hold more clout. simply because they never made the beetle.
By Stefan Posted: 1/16/2008 11:12am PST
By Steve Fisher Posted: 1/16/2008 1:28pm PST
By Sean Posted: 1/16/2008 8:27pm PST
Not my words, yet 87 publications, 14 world transportation government agencies and the only car company to have all six models, I repeat all 6 models, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A8 voted as safest models in their respective segment. Even MB nor BMW have achieved this feat. Live and learn, Lexus is a souped up Toyota, thus why in Japan, Lexus was only recently introduced, as most Lexus models were previously sold under the Toyota badge!
By Gojira Posted: 1/17/2008 11:46am PST
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