rovision

This could be good, or bad.<ul><li><a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/09/15/143074.html">http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/09/15/143074.html</a</li></ul>

DirkM

It was a big deal 15 or so years ago when Audi separated from Volkswagen. I guess it didn't work out very well to sell only one brand.

BlueWorld

The US is the place that spawned Acura, Lexus and Infiniti because nobody thought Honda, Toyota and Nissan could make a high-end luxury car.

Audi has enough problems completing in the US without having an A3 sitting next to a Golf.

Just look at how well the VW Phaeton has gone over if you want the US perception of VW.

rovision

My feeling is that history repeats itself. There's a new generation of leaders at WVAG, and they need to come up with a strategy to increase profits. At the same time WV has a problem with selling high end cars w/o canibalizing Audi. Will we see single dealerships for WV and Audi in US? Not in the near future for sure for many reasons.

April

People were confusing and cross shopping cars to the point where if anybody brought up the Passat, A4, A6 similarity question, the best way to put that to rest was to test drive them in all the cars - and explain the differences of each. Of course this could lead to engine/tranny/drivetrain questions which required further sampling.

Sure it could help clear confusion, but it took time to question the customer and find out what they really wanted from their car, and then sell them on it. A lot of salespeople hated it, and would kind of brush off the customer after a couple of test drives, because it took so much time and product knowledge. With all the option packages, it's really hard to keep track of all the permutations of one brand, let alone two brands and how they compare!

So it might work in Europe where the brands have a more clear seperate identity, but it will be a massive headache for dealers here where salespeople tend to come and go without learning enough about the product to ensure a good fit for the client.

kb5ql

sorry.... couldn't resist.

ROVISION MODS :
2003 A4 1.8TQ Tip Dolphin Gray
mods, sort of:
tires replaced at 30k
tinted windows at 34k Llumar 38%/23%
fuel pump replaced at 35k
rear brake pads replaced at 35k

rovision

I've just replaced my trunk motor... and that's +1Hp right there!