VW Phaeton article in WSJ
02-13-2003, 05:46 PM
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VW Phaeton article in WSJ
Anyone notice the article about the VW Phaeoton
in th Feb 12 edition of the Wall Street Journal,
pastg D4? VW is finding sales of this $100K car well below expectations, in Europe. But aside from that, what really caught my attention was
a quote by CEO Bernd Pishetsrieder:
"Volkswagen has never really accepted that VW is something below Audi," he said in an interveiw, recently. "VW is more of a "classic" premium brand, while Audi strives to produce sporty vehicles," he said. "There was never a hierarchy between the two brands."
END QUOTE
Oh really, Herr Pishetscrieder? You mean Audi isn't your company's premium brand, after all?
And all this extra money we have all been paying for Audi cars compared to Volkswagens is really not justified, because you say the vehicle qualities are really at the same level? Gee, I had no idea, Herr Pishetsrieder. You mean then that I could have bought a V-6 Passat wagon with 4-Motion for about $12-13K less than my A6 Avant, and still ended up with the same vehicle quality and an equal sense of owner satisfaction. Hmmm, I guess I will have to reconsider my mistaken impression, next time I shop for a new car, and look torwards a real premium brand. Thanks for straightening me out.
in th Feb 12 edition of the Wall Street Journal,
pastg D4? VW is finding sales of this $100K car well below expectations, in Europe. But aside from that, what really caught my attention was
a quote by CEO Bernd Pishetsrieder:
"Volkswagen has never really accepted that VW is something below Audi," he said in an interveiw, recently. "VW is more of a "classic" premium brand, while Audi strives to produce sporty vehicles," he said. "There was never a hierarchy between the two brands."
END QUOTE
Oh really, Herr Pishetscrieder? You mean Audi isn't your company's premium brand, after all?
And all this extra money we have all been paying for Audi cars compared to Volkswagens is really not justified, because you say the vehicle qualities are really at the same level? Gee, I had no idea, Herr Pishetsrieder. You mean then that I could have bought a V-6 Passat wagon with 4-Motion for about $12-13K less than my A6 Avant, and still ended up with the same vehicle quality and an equal sense of owner satisfaction. Hmmm, I guess I will have to reconsider my mistaken impression, next time I shop for a new car, and look torwards a real premium brand. Thanks for straightening me out.
02-14-2003, 04:16 AM
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That's Not All-BMW Got a USA Today Valentine
one or two days ago. They reported BMW 3-series sales are up over similar entry luxury models from MB, Jaguar, and Lexus. Audi wasn't even mentioned.The article was full of allocades for BMW, citing all of the usual reasons.
Pishetscrider is only following the dictates of Piech, who wanted VW to compete directly with VW. Toyota at least had the foresight to create a new marque, but no such luck in this case.
Pishetscrider is only following the dictates of Piech, who wanted VW to compete directly with VW. Toyota at least had the foresight to create a new marque, but no such luck in this case.
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02-14-2003, 05:02 AM
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I agree
That is why many people (including myself) believe that the Phaeton will be short lived. The Phaeton will not sell well at all despite it's longer than expected list of strengths. Many of those strengths may be significant, but this list, despite being longer than expected, is still way too short. The list of weaknesses is much longer and some of those weaknesses (2 1/2 ton curb weight, really poor fuel economy and spotty handling) are much more significant than any strengths or any other weaknesses. The price of the Phaeton will be the same or a little higher than that of the new A8. All of this is why the Phaeton will end in utter failure and go into oblivion. Even though the Phaeton has grown on me (as is the case with the 2002+ BMW 7 Series), the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S Class and new Audi A8 (my favorite in this size and price class) are much better than the Phaeton overall, "real" premium cars and better dollar values and buys, IMO. I would completely ignore the Phaeton if I were cross shopping the 7 Series, S Class, new A8 and some other cars in this size and price class.
02-14-2003, 05:06 AM
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Exactly my point. See my message titled "I agree" posted on 2003-02-14 10:02:42
That message was a reply to nirad's "It doesn't take a genius to realize that this will end in utter failure" n/t (no text) message posted on 2003-02-14 00:41:02.