VW of America refuses Scirocco!

[TechnoTrix'd]

opp's, duplicate thread.. didn't realize manoverboard has posted it earlier.

anywho, here is my rant....

While reading my recent copy of Sports Car Magaine (Offical Publication of the SCCA) I came accross this story.

According to recent reports from within Volkswagen of America, the company will not take shipments of VW's newest sport coupe, the Scirocco. Apparently, the American branch of VW believes the two-door sport coupe market is only so large, and by bringing another such vehicle to the table, VW will essentially be fighting for sales with itself. Presently, VW has the Rabbit and GTI - the Scirocco would share many components with the GTI, including the chassis, engine and drive train. Volkswagen of America is also claiming the design of the Scirocco is not a popular one in the States.

Volkswagen of America is, however, pushing heavily into the sports car market. The company has recently unveiled several SCCA contingencies and has plans for a VW Cup Series in 2008, which is reminiscent of the series' of the early 1980's in VW Golfs and Rabbits.

This story just once again demonstrates VWoA disconnect with its' actual target market. The GTI is still a brick that just goes faster than it's predecessors. It's not really an attractive car shape when compared to it's competition.

The Scirocco always was, and appears to be again in its recent form, the only "true" VW sports car (i.e. low roof line, better handling, sport car vs. commuter car seating position, overall interior, etc..).

The list of "WTF are they thinking" is only getting longer gang (IMHO). One of these day's they will kill the company for good and the debate will be over.

I guess the introduction of a completely different shaped and interior spec vehicle from VW wouldn't get the Civic SI and EVO buyers to look (especially since Mitsubishi has closed out the EVO line)?

The reutilization of an existing production platform that would allow for manufacturing efficiencies and significant cost containment for a completely new product line would make this idea completely unworkable, eh?

Oh that's right, selling bright orange and lime green limited edition GTI's for 32k is the way to win the market segment. I forgot, my mistake..


Morons!!!!


grrrrrrr...

[Deserion]

Uhm... lime green? There are no lime green Mk5 GTIs. The Fahrenheit edition isn't $32k. More in the range of $26-7k. R32, on the other hand...


-Des

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by Deserion

Uhm... lime green? There are no lime green Mk5 GTIs. The Fahrenheit edition isn't $32k. More in the range of $26-7k. R32, on the other hand...


-Des

Hey Des, sorry, didn't realize this topic had already been posted earlier by manoverboard.

Actually, there was a limited edition Pumpkin Orange GTI at a recent VW show from a local dealer. The sticker was $31,500.00 and the guys stated that they were also going to ship this in a lime green later in '07, similar to what the old Road Runner green used to be in the early seventies.

It was a fully loaded GTI, with 18" and a production run of 2,000.


I think Gina got a pick of it, I'll check our March GTG thread.

Bottom line is that the GTI/Golf is not for everyone, and Honda sells a ton of the new Civic, which, the Scirocco has a similar stance and look.

Shortsighted strategic vision by our guys here in the states. They are still looking inside their own company instead of looking across the road at the competition.

If the Scirocco outsold the GTI, then so be it. I doubt it would, but the exec's don't believe in their own companies products enough to try it.

That's should speak volumes about VW of America.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Here's a pic of the bright orange GTI. Is this the Fahrenheit edition Des?

Supposedly the green one is on it's way..

[wawalker]

It would be nice to have a sport coupe, but that particular one? No. The designer was a moron long before Rob's moron said they wouldn't bring it stateside.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by TechnoTrix'd

Here's a pic of the bright orange GTI. Is this the Fahrenheit edition Des?

Supposedly the green one is on it's way..

That's the Fahrenheit. That one you saw must've had a markup, the regular Fahrenheit GTIs cost about the same as my GTI did ($28k MSRP, not that I paid that ). To me, it wasn't worth it because, a) lacked four doors, b) lacked Climatronic. So my car doesn't have 18" wheels but it has those two other options and cost about the same. Hmm.

There is a yellow GLI...

-Des

[Dorado]

They should reintroduced the Turbo NB or the Turbo S NB instead, with a disctinctive sporty flair on the outside.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by wawalker

It would be nice to have a sport coupe, but that particular one? No. The designer was a moron long before Rob's moron said they wouldn't bring it stateside.

Yeah, I am not personally in love with the new Scirocco design, but then I don't like the new Civic's either...

Originally Posted by Des

There is a yellow GLI...

humm, that should be bright...

[Dorado]

Instead of the Scirocco, I think VW would make bigger news in the US and more sales if it the made the NB Ragster (a VW concept in 2005 or so) in a very sporty package, special brakes and suspension, special interior, maybe customized decals like the Mini, etc.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by Dorado

Instead of the Scirocco, I think VW would make bigger news in the US and more sales if it the made the NB Ragster (a VW concept in 2005 or so) in a very sporty package, special brakes and suspension, special interior, maybe customized decals like the Mini, etc.

Now "THAT" is a car I would buy in a heart-beat..

[mentalVdub]

Originally Posted by TechnoTrix'd

I guess the introduction of a completely different shaped and interior spec vehicle from VW wouldn't get the Civic SI and EVO buyers to look (especially since Mitsubishi has closed out the EVO line)?

...

Oh that's right, selling bright orange and lime green limited edition GTI's for 32k is the way to win the market segment. I forgot, my mistake..

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo is not killed off...
the Evo 10 will be coming out next year!

As for pretty colours and what not...
Come on.
VW has always been known for slapping on limited edition colours to boost sales...
and it works [oddly enough].

i just think the GTI is insanely overpriced for what it is...
27k + for only 200hp?!?!?

[TechnoTrix'd]

"VW's should have a face"..

check-it out, video of the designer of the new Scirocco..

Interesting design comments as he talks about the new car..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Eb1tiuBoJ4