Auto-Forums.net

[Sills]

As we know, Audi is a Division of Volkswagen, as Lexus is to Toyota. With
that said, I'm a VW guy (have been for 40 years). There is speculation,
based on paranoia for the most part, that if VW's sales in the US keep
declining, VWoA may cease to exist in ten years. Although I have to wait
until my wife's SUV is paid for, I'm already compiling a short list of
possible replacements for my aging Golf. Some of these possibilities
include a 2.0T Passat, an Audi A4, a Jetta, a Jag X-Type, and a Volvo S60.
My preference would be either VW/Audi, of course, BUT.......if VWoA were to
actually pack their bags and pull out od the uS, as they almost did in
1993, would Audi still be here? Or would they be gone, too? I ask because,
A)I'm very devoted to VW, and Audi would be the closest alternative if that
were to happen and, B) Audi's sales, although smaller, seem to be on the
rise despite the Mother Company's decline. I think VW will see much
improvement in 2006 with all the new models coming, but I just wanted to
see what some of you thought about the remote yet possible OTHER
scenario......................

[Dano58]

Well, I would find it hard to imagine a scenario where VW would pull
out of the US. That said, I really qiestion their strategy over the
past few years. The Phaeton was a total bust, sales-wise. Not sure what
that was all about. VW products seem to be becoming more Audi-like,
including price. Have you seen pricing on the new Passat?? The new VW
products seem to be mirroring Audi's product line. Even the styling,
with the big chrome beak, echos Audi's single-frame grille. The new
Jetta is downright ugly and was only available with an automatic
initially! The new Golf is on an 18 month roll-out plan here. They have
no minivan. They are coming out with a convertible to poach the sales
of the A4 cabriolet. They just seem all messed up. Audi, on the other
hand, has a pretty coherent line-up and strategy. I just doon't
understand what VW is these days.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

[Pete]

"Sills" wrote