VW unveiled the automaker's new small rear engined up! in Frankfurt this week. Adrian Hallmark, head of Volkswagen of America, has confirmed that the US is also interested in the car.
Rising gas prices have forced many Americans to think smaller. This in turn has prompted many automakers to release new and exciting small fuel efficient vehicles. Next year Daimler's Smart car is going to finally be sold in the US. It remains to be seen if the incredibly small two seater will actually win American hearts or if it will be deemed "too small".
VW is also interested in gaining market share in this segment, so the new up! production model could make it to the US. The up! would have an advantage over the Smart, since it seats four people. A possible sedan version of the up! could also be available when the production model bows in a few years.
When the car goes on sale in Western Europe it will go for about 8,000 euros and in emerging markets it will range from 5,000 to 7,000 euro.
The automaker has also confirmed that there will be two more concept versions of the car that are going to be revealed at the upcoming Tokyo and LA Auto Shows this fall.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (4)
Looks like a futuristic VW Polo. If you look at the front end it kinda looks like a giant happy face. With the fuel efficiency this car is getting, no wonder the car is happy.
Posted by CS | September 15, 2007 6:25 PM
Posted on September 15, 2007 18:25
Girls are going to eat this car up because it's "cute." Normal guys will pay dearly with finger-pointing and laughter if they drive this. It will have the same appeal to the ladies as the Dodge Neon did when it first came out, or the VW Beetle.
Posted by Mike M | September 15, 2007 8:14 PM
Posted on September 15, 2007 20:14
So, could VW save some money on shipping costs by putting one of these in the back of each Touareg before putting them on the ship?
Posted by Stirling | September 15, 2007 11:20 PM
Posted on September 15, 2007 23:20
Hey, strange no posts about 'its great, i would buy it when they'd put a V8 in it'.
Must still be night time there.
This is a Smart move from Volkswagen. I could imagine a 1liter/ 3 cyl, Diesel engine with 70Hp and 50km/l.
Pity that the clever Smart from Daimler isnt selling the volume needed/programmed...
Posted by rene | September 16, 2007 12:32 AM
Posted on September 16, 2007 00:32