Archive for the ‘Volkswagen’ Category

Focus on the top-selling cars in the UK

Posted: December 8, 2010 in Audi, Chevrolet, Citroen, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, MINI, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen
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From the 24 November 2010 issue of Autocar magazine:

The US’s top 10 list remains festooned [love the Brit’s use of the English language] with cars from the Far East. The number one best-seller Stateside between January and September was the Toyota Camry.  This was closely followed by the Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Nissan Altima, giving a clean sweep to the Japanese car firms for the entire top five.

The highest placed home-grown, so to speak, was the Chevrolet Malibu [6th place], while in seventh was Ford’s Fusion (a Mondeo-sized ‘sedan’ not to be confused with the ungainly Fiesta descendant that wears the same badge over here). Hyundai’s Sonata was eight, the aforementioned Focus was ninth and the Chevrolet Impala rounded off the top 10.

In the UK, the top 10 for the same period of time was:

  1. Ford Fiesta
  2. Ford Focus (not the same as the one sold here, yet)
  3. Vauxhall Astra (GM-Europe)
  4. Vauxhall Corsa (GM Europe)
  5. Volkswagen Golf
  6. Volkswagen Polo
  7. Peugeot 207
  8. Renault Clio
  9. MINI
  10. Audi A3

The only car in common was the Ford Focus and even that isn’t the same unremarkable Focus sold here. It’s the 2nd generation European Focus.  The 3rd generation Focus will be sold worldwide, including in the US, early next year with US MSRP beginning at $16,270 for the sedan.

2012 Ford Focus Hatchback. MSRP for the base SE hatch: $18,065

Also, the UK list is almost exclusively small cars, by US standards, with smaller gasoline or diesel powertrains. The hop over the pond and the different taxing schemes on cars and gasoline/diesel fuel  (not to mention the impossible parking and clogged traffic of London) really makes a big difference.

Classier Jetta for Europe – U.S. gets crap

Posted: November 24, 2010 in Volkswagen
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From the 3 November 2010 edition of Autocar UK:

Volkswagen’s European-Spec Jettas will get more sophisticated underpinnings than their US cousins when they reach UK dealers in the first quarter of next year.

While US Jettas make do with a simple torsion beam set-up at the rear, European versions get a four-link system similar to the one used on the Golf.  The system differs from that of the outgoing Jetta, too, because the car now sports a wider rear track as well as revised springs and dampers.

European buyers can choose from a range of VW’s TSI and TDI engines. Petrol units include a 104 bhp 1.2 TSI and 120 bhp 1.4 TSI options while the diesels are a 104 bhp 1.6 TDI and a 2.0 TDI with either a 138 bhp or 168 bhp. A range of manual and DSG gearboxes are also on offer.

Other changes for the European model include the adoption of electro-mechanical steering system as standard.

European Jettas will also get higher-quality materials and trims for their cabins. Three spec levels will be offered in the UK: S, SE and Sport. Standard kit will include six airbags and ESP.

The new Jetta will be built at VW’s Puebla plant in Mexico, also the production base for the firm’s next Beetle. UK prices are expected to start from around £17,000, similar to today’s car.

Okay, so in Europe and the UK, customers get a brand new car with the same high quality for the same price.  In the US, we get a lower price with diminished quality so VW can (supposedly) compete with a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla.

Down the tubes are decades of positioning the VW brand as a step above the lower Japanese competition. You got great German engineering and cabin quality (not to mention a choice of  upscale options) for just a bit more than the competition.  Way to go, VW, throw mud in the face of your devoted fan base.

The US-spec 2011 Jetta. In the sheet metal, it's very non-controversial and deadly boring. The corporate grille doesn't work well on the Jetta. It just makes is anonymous.

The exterior of the 2011 Euro-spec Jetta doesn't look much different. It's what's under the "bonnet" and the chassis components that will make a world of difference.

The interior of the 2011 US-spec Jetta is very disappointing. The plastics are hard to the touch and some of the switchgear feels cheap. It's definitely a step down from the previous Jetta.

The Euro-spec interior will be up to VW's usual quality standards. It's hard to see the difference in pictures, although the climate control area is better in the Euro version. They get automatic climate control. We don't.

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