VW's executives have laid out an extensive plan to improve its sales in the US and to eventually surpass Toyota in terms of both sales and profitability.
VW's goal is to sell 800,000 vehicles in the US per year by 2018, which is three times as much as the automaker is selling now. To do so VW is planning on introducing several new models that will be designed specifically for the US market. This includes a new 7-seater SUV, sedan and an updated version of the Beetle.
In order to improve profits, VW is going to start building more models in the US or Mexico. VW is currently spending $1 billion on a new plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. that will produce a new midsize sedan in 2011. The new sedan will reportedly be larger than the current Passat, but will be priced competitively to go against the Accord and Camry.
"We want to be the No. 1 automaker globally," Stefan Jacoby, VW's North American chief said during a briefing at VW's U.S. headquarters in Virginia. "Not everybody believes in this goal. We believe in this vision we have, and we are working very hard on its realization.
VW plans to refresh its entire lineup by 2011. Additionally VW is making efforts to improve its quality.
Full Story: Detroit Free Press
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Comments (7)
Isn't this the second time in about 3 years that VW announced the basiclly same plan? Hey VW: how'd the first plan pan out?
Posted by bob | August 27, 2009 10:58 AM
Posted on August 27, 2009 10:58
@bob
Well, we got the Routan...
Posted by Patrick | August 27, 2009 1:02 PM
Posted on August 27, 2009 13:02
I love the VW designs, but guys really...bigger than Toyota?
I'll just lay this out on the table: How about make a generation of cars that doesn't have problems, like electrical.
Do that for a while and people might notice. While you are at it bring those damn fuel sipping diesels over here. That alone will get you some points over Toyota.
Posted by Brian | August 27, 2009 2:23 PM
Posted on August 27, 2009 14:23
Brian, what you said. :thumbsup
Posted by wvo | August 27, 2009 5:39 PM
Posted on August 27, 2009 17:39
"improve its quality" - I guess if you are starting at zero anything is an improvement. On the other hand, if they continue to build cars that only last a few years before major components fail, then they might be able to sell more units to people stupid enough to buy again.
Volkswagon - Suckers Wanted!
Posted by an_individual | August 28, 2009 1:06 PM
Posted on August 28, 2009 13:06
Wait, so they're going to build more factories, hire more people, build more cars and then when most of those don't sell, they're going to fire everyone, close the factories and leave them to rot and then ask for a bailout when the overstock sits on lots.
Oh yea, and get major tax cuts and funding from the government before all that happens but keep most of the money for non-US investors too.
Sounds really familiar.
Posted by stromm | August 28, 2009 6:51 PM
Posted on August 28, 2009 18:51
Wait, so they're going to build more factories, hire more people, build more cars and then when most of those don't sell, they're going to fire everyone, close the factories and leave them to rot and then ask for a bailout when the overstock sits on lots.
Oh yea, and get major tax cuts and funding from the government before all that happens but keep most of the money for non-US investors too.
Sounds really familiar.
Posted by stromm | August 28, 2009 6:52 PM
Posted on August 28, 2009 18:52