This is what happens when US car media grabs “non automotive” news and runs with.

Whatever you may think when reading that headline. What it means is simply what has been regurgitating in the german landscape for 1-2 years, ever since the green party got into goverment.

• Their all in diplomacy on renewables, neglecting people and economy. The latter claiming that GERMANY as a place of production at 40 €cents/kWh with tendencies to go upwards is not viable and there could be an exodus of competent workforces.

• China’s emerge on the EV market. Since VW, as everyone else, starting from 0, and having to compete with chinese automakers, who are getting batteries cheaper and the cost to produce them also being lower due to employers and energy costs.

All that makes it very hard for VW to remain VW without cannibalizing Audi.
This may or not be a foreshadowing, maybe even a slight threat, of shutting down german facilities and opening hem in Thailand, China, Vietnam - wherever.

A lack of hybrids will do that. The Taos really needs one.

Stop

Don’t make boring cars. Look at the hotest cars on sale in the US. VW doesn’t offer any competition

Well, switching their entire lineup to just EVs isn’t a good start.

How about making reliable, affordable cars? You consider doing that?

I loved selling VW 2006-2009. The CC was a gorgeous car for the money. I worked at a large dealer group and could cross sell Acura and BMW. Anytime someone checked out a 330i or TL, I’d show them a 3.6 CC. The loaded 4Motion was under $40k with incentives. Crazy good value and they still look good if well kept.

guess bc their interiors suck

When was VW ever competitive? Nobody around where I live drives one. With the execption of a few old Beetles and a tiny smattering of New Beetles they basically don’t exist here. One of my daughters made the bad life choice of buying an 06 Pissant against advice. That thing was nothing but a headache from day one.

The only reason we keep them on the lot is when we get them on trade or we get a killer deal at auction otherwise it’s usually not worth it.

Better just put all resources into the Bentley brand.

With the VW group of sub-brands growth, VW has a real identity crisis.

Skoda - Value

Seat - Sporty

Audi - Premium

VW - ???

It used to represent premium quality in a very discreet package but Skoda probably do that much better now anyway.

IMO they need to push VW towards comfort, focussing on ride, noise and high quality interiors. Try to carve out a unique identity for the brand again.

Toyota and Stellantis are printing money by building pickup trucks and small cars in Argentina, whose lical currency devaluates every time the minister dneezes.

Meanwhile, VW Argentina is controlled by VW Brazil, whose directors always prioritise factories in Brazil, which has a strong local currency.

Once yet moved from buttons to taps on the interior, we knew it was over. I’ve had 7 VWs and the new changes just aren’t doing it along with the price.

Glad i have my mk7.5 will not be buying an electric VW. VW’s have enough electrical problems without having your drivetrain completely reliant on electricity. Goodbye forever dreams of having a mk9 GTI.