Volkswagen officially took the wraps off the Passat CC (four-door coupe) in Detroit earlier this year. VW expects approximately 60% of the sales of the CC ( VW dropped the "Passat" portion of the name) to come from the US.
VW marketing chief, Detlef Wittig told the Automotive News that the automaker is hoping that the US market will be the biggest market for the new car and hopes to sell 300k units over the next seven years. In order to meet that goal, the US-spec CC is going to miss out on many of the luxury features that the Euro-spec model will have to keep the price close to $30K. The standard CC will be powered by VW's 2.0 TSI engine that puts out 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The 276 horsepower 3.6L V6 is optional.
Full Story: Motor Authority
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Comments (16)
VW CANNOT be serious ? This can only be a public relations "let's make up reality" ploy. This car will sell marginally better than the Pheoton which means they'll only lose a few million on the entire deal. It's an overpriced Passat and nobody is going to forget that.
I love WHINING !
Posted by CKV | April 28, 2008 11:30 PM
Posted on April 28, 2008 23:30
VW is looking for a new plant in the US to make their cars. Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan are the final three states. But, lets be serious, it is really only between TN, and AL. I think AL is the favorite because Mercedes is there, as well as other large German industrial companies. But you never know which states will line the pockets of the executives the most.
Better than Mexico I guess.
Posted by SlowandMellow | April 29, 2008 1:14 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 01:14
shure, and they were going to beat Toyota in 2020, and ....
where are they now exactly?
Posted by waldorf and statler | April 29, 2008 1:29 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 01:29
i'm not surprised. From the side, the cc almost looks like the jelly-bean Taurus.
Finally, i can rent a white VW from AVIS!
Posted by the torque retard | April 29, 2008 1:32 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 01:32
@SlowandMellow:
I'd think a plant in Mexico would be better for VW to turn a profit. Pro's are cheap labor, no benefits, no Unions, and no retirement plans. These are the things that are killing Ford and GM at the moment, as American workers demand more money, more benefits, and better retirement packages, or else the unions will nag the companies to death.
Anyway, the US is *the* largest market in the world for automobiles. China, India, and Europe don't have as lucrative an auto market as the US. No other country can break a manufacturer like the US can, just take a look at Nissan.
How many VW Marketing Chiefs does it take to figure that out?
Posted by Jason | April 29, 2008 5:36 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 05:36
Whatever the CEOs of VW are on, I would like two please.
Going to miss the ol Pisaint...Passat. NOT.
Posted by WVO | April 29, 2008 7:01 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 07:01
The side reminds me of the new Sebring.
Posted by Alex | April 29, 2008 7:02 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 07:02
If americans will buy the "new" Focus in droves they'll buy anything. VW is probably right.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | April 29, 2008 7:04 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 07:04
Hmmmm.... an ordinary looking car, mediocre performance, mediocre quality, many of the luxery features removed, in a very crowded sedan market for $30k???
I don't see all that happening.
Posted by Jake | April 29, 2008 10:22 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 10:22
I wouldn't buy this specifically because they are calling it a coupe (and its not).
Posted by gm0n3y | April 29, 2008 10:47 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 10:47
Oh and its a VW (cringes).
@Mexico suggestions, I agree, build them there. Their quality can't be any worse than it already is and the american unions (and their employees) are a joke. I'd trust a mexican to build my car over a redneck american any day.
Posted by gm0n3y | April 29, 2008 10:55 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 10:55
VW needs to get back to their roots, small cars that are cheap and fun to drive. This car at $30,000 is not cheap and won't be all that fun to drive unless you pay extra for the V6. Leave the big, expensive cars for Audi and keep improving the Rabbit and Jetta. I paid $28000 for my Jetta and I guarantee it has more features than this base model Passat CC for $30,000
Posted by CS | April 29, 2008 11:48 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 11:48
While I'm thinking about VW and listening about high gas prices on the TV, how many here think it would be cool if VW brought back their mini pickup on the rabbit platform? Give it AWD and I would buy one.
Posted by CS | April 29, 2008 11:51 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 11:51
These things go for 30k? Guess I missed that. I'd definitely go for the Pontiac G8 over this.
Posted by Alex | April 29, 2008 1:03 PM
Posted on April 29, 2008 13:03
I agree with some of the other posts. VW needs to get back to basics. That is, inexpensive, fun to drive cars that were reliable. The VW UP! concept is a step in the right direction. VW tanked with the Phaeton and Jetta W8 models, not because they were bad cars (on the contrary, both cars were very nice), but because VW does not have the cache to demand premium luxury/near luxury status. Leave the luxury to Audi.
Also, VW needs to make a concerted effort to control quality. The new Rabbit is made in Germany at a considerable cost compared to Jetta production in Mexico, to help address these fears. VW needs to address any other preceived quality lapses in the other models. Finally, the dealer network needs lessons in customer service. Remember the dealer represents the tangible link between the consumer and the brand. If the dealer fails to appease the customer, the brand may lose the customer for life.
Posted by longdxcommuter | April 29, 2008 1:05 PM
Posted on April 29, 2008 13:05
Hey, at least it looks better than the R8.
Posted by Auto Union Deutsche Idiots | May 9, 2008 5:48 PM
Posted on May 9, 2008 17:48