Reuters had access to a message published on Volkswagen's intranet site in which brand chief Thomas Schaefer admitted partial and early retirements are planned.
  • lol_camis@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I was literally just thinking this yesterday. Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche… Those all have places in the market. They’re not supposed to be reliable. They’re supposed to be performers for people who probably aren’t going to keep them outside the warranty period. But why the fuck would any informed person buy a VW? They’re no nicer than any other consumer/economy brand, but far more expensive to own.

    • UniqueThanks@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      It’s clear VAG went from prioritizing the VW brand to Audi and Porsche. Makes sense because when Audis started to become good, VWs lost their magic

  • iamauser726@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    My first real car was a GTI so I’ll always have a soft spot for VW. That said, their sedans and hatchbacks seem pretty insanely overpriced compared to comparable models on the market.

  • 192hp@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Company makes worse product for more $, confused why they are no longer competitor. More at 11:00pm.

  • Hegulator@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Yeah I’m not sure what happened to VW. Our family was exclusively VW for many years. Wife had a GLI and I’ve had 2 wagons now. I’m still impressed with my 2019 4mo wagon considering I bought it for around $24k brand new. They really offered a lot of car for the money up until recently it seems.

    • rodneyfan@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I drove VWs for almost 40 years. When it was time to replace my latest VW not one model of theirs was on my shortlist. Aside from the hotted up Golf, all they have are trucks. I. Don’t. Want. A. Truck. Especially not one that size for size can’t haul as much as my wagon did.

      I did have a chancde to drive a recent Jetta and walked away from that feeling like the car did nothing that Mazda, Honda, or Kia couldn’t do except be cheaper to won. So why pay a premium for the car and for service down the road?

  • V8-Turbo-Hybrid@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    They’ve the problem like GM used to, VW brand has to share the market with Skoda and Seat/Cupra, it’s very like old GM its Chevy, Pontiac, and Saturn shared same market.

    Stellantis having so many brands under the same corporate umbrella

    They would get same issue too, but most its members are trying as regional brands, they’ve their own territories. That’s reason why Peugeot finally not to return America market because they’ve to let Chrysler staying America market.

    • ycnz@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Skodas are everywhere here. You almost never see a VW, 'cos they’re way more expensive.

    • 404merrinessnotfound@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      why Peugeot finally not to return America market because they’ve to let Chrysler staying America market.

      And it makes total sense that way

    • withoutapaddle@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Which is a shame, because that’s just an economy version of the Touareg that it replaced (which you can still buy outside the US).

      Touareg is a beast. Basically a joint platform with the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. Tows as much as a full size truck, in the form factor of a medium SUV.

      VW has a history of making a crappier, less capable, uglier, and cheaper version of their best cars, and only offering the shitty one in the US.

    • hawksnest_prez@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I just bought one and love it. Cheaper than competition with extremely nice fit and finish. Originally wanted Grand Highlander but couldn’t wait a year due to accident.

  • Sv3797@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Can’t even get a normal golf here anymore. Just the GTI and the R. Making me think I’ll get an A3 down the road.

    • maz-o@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      ”here?” Normal Golfs are sold in almost the entire world. This statement came from their EU/Global headquarters, it has nothing to do with some north american models not being sold.

  • k_dubious@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I’m shocked that their current strategy of selling ordinary cars with goofy tech at near-luxury prices isn’t working out for them.

  • beermaker@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Their ham-fisted attempt at breaking into the U.S. Off-Road segment is likely going to be a dud…

  • One_Evil_Monkey@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    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.