Winterkorn Asks: Do Ya'all Want A Polo?

[YSSMAN]

"Do you need the Polo?" That's going to be Volkswagen chief Martin Winterkorn's query to US dealers when he meets with them this week. The answer could determine whether or not we see a sub-Golf sized VeeDub here in the United States. Rising fuel prices have made small cars big again, and VW's taking a hard look at capitalizing on that. The inrush of Volkswagen's competitors to smaller models also makes the segment hard to ignore. BMW's got the hotly anticipated 1-series, Daimler's trend-tastic Smart has been foisted upon us, Saturn's slick Astra is nearly here, and Ford's threatening to give us the Fiesta in a couple of years, too. If we were a VW dealer, our answer to Winterkorn would be a resounding "YES!"

Finally, Volkswagen is considering bringing over the Polo over to the U.S. We’ve always been fans of the Polo and think it can do wonders for Volkswagen in the growing U.S. small car segment.

“We are deliberating whether to launch smaller models than the Golf in the US market,” Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said in an interview with Handelsblatt at the Detroit auto show.

Winterkorn said: “I will ask the question this week when I meet with our 600 dealers in the US: ‘Do you need the VW Polo?’”

Believe us Winterkorn, they would love nothing more than a Polo along with a production Volkswagen Space Up! Concept. Especially with the new CAFE 35 regulations.

Automotive News points out that as more automakers are introducing smaller models in the U.S., the move can only benefit Volkswagen. Ford is already working on a small car for the U.S. in 2010. The model will be based on the Ford Verve concept shown at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. GM has also been rumored to be working on a competitor for the Smart ForTwo and the BMW 1-Series.

Yes, I'd say that this one has been a long-time coming. Just don't call it a Fox, VW. Call it a Polo and everything will be okay... Oh, and there will be a poll.

 

[Kylehnat]

Props to the thread title, though that is one of the worst songs ever made.

Bring the Polo!

 

[Keef]

The only problem with this is that they may decide to make the Rabbit more expensive. Meh, but I bet only a thousand or so dollars would cover it.

 

[JCE]

Yes, without question I would love to see the Polo over here. I might actually BUY one--as in literally I might actually use my own money and actually purchase said VW.

 

[Jim Prower]

Yes. I'd forget the Fit.

 

[Philly]

For sure yes!

It's a very nice car and I'm sure it would sell very well if priced next to the Fit. If they put in the 2.0 FSI (turbo or not) and a full GTI-like interior, this would be one hot car.

 

[Tornado]

With the Rabbit already at Hyundai prices, what is the point?

 

[JCE]

The point would be one more European model brought to Amercan drowning out the boring American crap. *cough*CobaltCaliburFocus*cough*

 

[TopHat]

Yes. Very yes. A 13K dollar VeeDub? Want.

 

[YSSMAN]

With the Rabbit already at Hyundai prices, what is the point?

What they said...

VW likely wants a more fuel-efficent model to keep the EPA happy down the road, and furthermore, an even cheaper (and rather well-built) model for a presumably rather decent price. Much of this, of course, depends on what engine they end up giving us in the US. The 2.5L I5 is too big, the 2.0T has too much gusto on a non-GTI model, so we're left with either the 1.6L or the 1.4L engines.

My guess? They'll sticker it for $12-13K, with pretty basic standard equipment. In all honesty, thats a market VW needs to get in here in the US, as a lot of consumers start to line-up for the small cars once again.

 

[Rykon Zero]

It needs to have a performance package. If so, it will be "teh r0Xxorz".

 

[Joey D]

Would be a good contender to the Mini Cooper, Toyota Yaris, and Honda Fit. It's not a crowded market here and people will be looking at getting cars that get better mileage so it seems like it would be a good idea.

 

[Philly]

It needs to have a performance package. If so, it will be "teh r0Xxorz".

They already have a GTi version in Europe with the 1.8T. It would be interesting to see if they brought that over. But again, it would probably be much more appealing with the 2.0 FSI, maybe with a little boost to bring it up to the Cooper for performance.

Would be a good contender to the Mini Cooper, Toyota Yaris, and Honda Fit. It's not a crowded market here and people will be looking at getting cars that get better mileage so it seems like it would be a good idea.

If they can make a car as amazing as the Mini, I would be pushing to get one, especially if we didn't already have the other VW.

 

[Joey D]

I wonder how the handling is on the Polo compared to the Cooper? I mean the Yaris and Fit aren't really designed with that in mind but I would guess VW would think about that sort of thing.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'd assume that the Polo GTi would be right up there with it, if not, maybe slightly behind. I'd be in it for the 1.4 TSI, all that wonderful boost across the powerband. I do doubt if VW will ever give us the twin-charger, but it would be awesome if they did...

 

[Philly]

I wonder how the handling is on the Polo compared to the Cooper? I mean the Yaris and Fit aren't really designed with that in mind but I would guess VW would think about that sort of thing.

I would bet that if VW set their sights on the Cooper, they would stand a very good chance of putting a great competitor out.

I'd assume that the Polo GTi would be right up there with it, if not, maybe slightly behind. I'd be in it for the 1.4 TSI, all that wonderful boost across the powerband. I do doubt if VW will ever give us the twin-charger, but it would be awesome if they did...

What ever happened with that? I heard about it and then it just kinda went away. VW does have a wealth of small engines they can do things too though, and that can only help.

 

[forza2.0]

Dont bring the current polo, bring the new one.

 

[Craig HP]

Ok, I do not live in America, but I will still support the Polo arriving in America because a lot of Americans seem to want it over there. Also, if you do not mind me saying, European cars are usually more economical and kinder to the enviroment than American cars (no offense). So it might be good for the market and the economy over in the USA!

 

[Jim Prower]

It's a good size class, and VW needs to get in while it's hot. After all, as lineups are getting bigger, there's room at the bottom, now.

 

[Danny]

Hmmm. You have the Rabbit, we have the Fox.

Would this be the Hamster?

 

[TopHat]

Hmmm. You have the Rabbit, we have the Fox.

Would this be the Hamster?

You get the Hamster over there already.

 

[YSSMAN]

Also, if you do not mind me saying, European cars are usually more economical and kinder to the enviroment than American cars (no offense). So it might be good for the market and the economy over in the USA!

No offense taken, but you are partially incorrect. Our cars, generally, have cleaner exhaust emissions by comparison to what you have in Europe... However, your cars are more fuel efficent because the market demands it (this is something that the Government, apparently, is supposed to do here). The demand for small cars (smaller than the Golf, Civic, etc) come from the high fuel prices, and in the end, I'm positive that the dealers will vote near-unanimously to get the Polo sold in the US.

We're probably looking at calendar year 2009 to get it here, which means we'll get the new version. Of course, it has to pass all of the EPA and NHTSA tests and such. I don't think that will be a problem...

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I'd say, bring either the Polo GT with the Twincharger or the Bluemotion Diesel, and price it below USD$14,000!

-> It'll be a good battle between the 2nd-gen Honda Fit and the new VW Polo. The Fiesta will be a current Focus repeat so its meh.

 

[forza2.0]

Going by the general views of this thread regarding a fast polo basically what you are wishing for is the ibiza cupra.

Polo chassis, 180hp, 1.8T engine, ap racing big brakes and sporty interior for a nice price.

 

[Jim Prower]

Going by the general views of this thread regarding a fast polo basically what you are wishing for is the ibiza cupra.

Polo chassis, 180hp, 1.8T engine, ap racing big brakes and sporty interior for a nice price.

SEAT soes not sell cars here, and probably wouldn't. They have no brand history in America, something they would have to establish to sell well, when Volkswagen is already there as VAG's American value brand. That means In-house competition. If they want to put Ibiza Cupra parts underneath the Polo, that'd be great, but there's no need to bring a new badge over.

 

[YSSMAN]

^ What he said... ^

The Ibiza Cupra, simply put, isn't that much different than the Polo GTi that VW already offers. I'll take that instead, thanks...

 

[forza2.0]

The ibiza cupra will give the polo gti a spanking. It really is a over priced car for what you are getting in europe. Less power, no 4 pot racing brakes, inferior suspension but a higher price.

Im not saying they should sell SEAT's all I was saying is that VAG already makes the car you guys want and its another great european car you wont get.

As per the polo vs mini thing. The mini drives better in every department. The only thing the polo has over the mini is being able to carry 4 passengers instead of the mini's 3. Other than that I could not see why anyone would want to buy a polo over the mini unless they did not liek the way the mini looks, or because of the price difference.

 

[Jim Prower]

For one thing, we could feasibly get the Cupra as a VW R-Series package, If not as the GTi itself. I think our prices should be lower for the Polo (The Golf/Rabbit is ridiculously cheap here, though prices may rise a bit to make room) and it should remain a good value. Remember, VW has SEAT to produce ridiculously inexpensive cars in Europe, something they don't have to fall back on, here. Thus, VW has a wide spectrum to carry: an inexpensive lineup to steal a few sales away from the Japanese, and a lower-luxury range to compete against...well, Volvo and Saab.

The main competition here, (and the Mini really doesn't count much, as it's more of a premium car,) is Honda's Fit, Toyota's Yaris, the Suzuki SX/4, and the (sigh) Chevrolet Aveo. VW probably won't hit the Japanese manufacturer's volume, but they should be a good value for those looking for something different.

 

[forza2.0]

For one thing, we could feasibly get the Cupra as a VW R-Series package, If not as the GTi itself. I think our prices should be lower for the Polo (The Golf/Rabbit is ridiculously cheap here, though prices may rise a bit to make room) and it should remain a good value. Remember, VW has SEAT to produce ridiculously inexpensive cars in Europe, something they don't have to fall back on, here. Thus, VW has a wide spectrum to carry: an inexpensive lineup to steal a few sales away from the Japanese, and a lower-luxury range to compete against...well, Volvo and Saab.

The main competition here, (and the Mini really doesn't count much, as it's more of a premium car,) is Honda's Fit, Toyota's Yaris, the Suzuki SX/4, and the (sigh) Chevrolet Aveo. VW probably won't hit the Japanese manufacturer's volume, but they should be a good value for those looking for something different.

If the polo is gonna be fightings fit's, yaris' etc then it will be a major sucess imho.

 

[TopHat]

If the polo is gonna be fightings fit's, yaris' etc then it will be a major sucess imho.

This is America. Japanese can do no wrong here, atleast that's what the masses think.

I like the Fit BTW. Nice car.