Keeping Prices Low on Golf and New Audis Key at VW

[YSSMAN]

Is it just me, or is it because GM is having financial problems that most of the big companies around the world are wising up to the problems they are facing worldwide.

Following the failure of the overpriced Phaeton luxury car in North America, Volkswagen wants to bring in the next Golf compact to the U.S. market at under $16,000 to attract young buyers and restore its image of "affordable German engineering," reports Automotive News. Meanwhile, subsidiary Audi will simplify its model features, options, and engines to reduce wait time for anxious U.S. customers. For example, Audi might opt to not offer cloth interiors on its models. The move comes in an effort to satisfy the American "I want it now" mentality.

I'm happy to hear that the Golf will be rather cheap, as the current MKV Jetta is a bit expensive. I looked at a "Value Package" Jetta today, and although it had many of the options most cars would not have, it was nearly $19,000. Seeing the Golf below that will be important to buyers like me, I just hope they manage to pack enough sport in the Golf to make us die-hard VW fans happy.

...I don't understand the reasoning behind the Audis sans cloth however...

 

[YSSMAN]

New VW SUV based on MKV Golf on the way, but, whats in a name?

A Volkswagen spokesperson recently told Motor Trend magazine that the production version of the 2007 Golf-based SUV will definitely not use the "Marrakesh" name. The car will be based on the "Concept A" (shown right). Now, Germany's AutoBild magazine is reporting that five possible names are currently under consideration. They are: Nanuk, Namib, Rockton, Samun, and Tiguan.

I vote for Nanuk, but thats just me.

 

[Carl.]

Perhaps someone at VAG read something like the post I just made in the Bugatti thread.

Over here, Mazda and Honda have been enjoying the Golf pricing for quite a few years now, glad that VW finally realized something wasn't right.