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28.07.03, 16:44
Volkswagen plans a BMW 5-series rival
By Wim Oude Weernink
Automotive News Europe / July 28, 2003
Volkswagen is planning a BMW 5-series fighter positioned above the next-
generation Passat and below the Phaeton flagship.
Internally referred to as the C1, the medium-luxury VW model would also
compete with the Mercedes-Benz E class and Audi A6.
"We have seen definitive design proposals," a VW source said. "You will get
an impression of it when you see the next-generation Passat, which is due in
2004."
A decision to go ahead with the C1 project has been made, according to a VW
engineer.
"Three months ago, it was not so certain," said the engineer, who also did
not want to be named. "But it has been set for 2006 in our planning, so you
may assume it is definite now."
The production volume for the C1 has not been set yet, but 50,000 units a
year should be the minimum goal.
"Otherwise it would not make sense," a VW source said.
Właśnie, Phaeton i Passat W8 też nie mają sensu.
The C1 will likely be the first car based on VW's modular C platform. This
platform has been developed but has never been utilized.
Analysts say there could be room for a premium VW model above the upper-
medium Passat.
"Although the model is successful, the overall Passat segment is going
nowhere in Europe," said Colin Couchman, senior analyst at Global
Insight. "So a premium model would be a sensible addition for VW."
To chyba żart. Przykład Scorpio, Omegi czy nawet S80 niczego ich nie nauczył.
But VW's main target disagrees. Asked about volume producers' moves into the
luxury end, BMW CEO Helmut Panke said car companies' success depends to a
major extent on maintaining focus. If designers, for example, have to work on
a volume car in the morning and a luxury car in the afternoon, the focus will
be lost, he said at a press briefing last week.
Ludowóz zawsze będzie Ludowozem.
VW believes a medium-luxury car would have potential in Europe, the USA and
perhaps China.
Raczej tylko w tym ostatnim kraju.
"But there is a risk of confusion within the VW group, where Audi has already
its A6," Couchman said.
Sales of both VW's upmarket Passat W8 as well as the luxury Phaeton have been
suffering so far. During the first six months of 2003, the Phaeton sold just
2,128 units. Only 453 Phaetons were sold in June.
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VW had planned to sell 10,000 units of the W8-engine Passat annually but
actually achieved just over half that figure in 2002.
[Śmiech na sali]
Said Couchman: "Maybe such a premium model [the C1] may eventually succeed
the Phaeton, which VW may let die slowly."
I niech zdycha. Już myślałem, że Ludowóz zmądrzał, a tu taka niespodzianka. W
pierwszej kolejności powinni zająć się dopracowaniem nowego Passata i Golfa,
bo obecne modele to już skansen, a konkurencja przeskoczyła ich już o 2
poziomy. Wszystko powyżej Passata 1.9 TDI to dla nich za wysokie progi.
Jednak Ludowóz przed i po szkodzie głupi.
Pozdrawiam
