VW rethinks plans for C1 concept car

[wikedgolf]

VW rethinks plans for C1 concept car;
startup delayed to consider new ideas


Posted Date: 8/24/04
WOLFSBURG -- Volkswagen group is reworking its plans for a new car it will position between its upper-medium Passat and upper-premium Phaeton.

VW has postponed production of the C1 to mid-2007 from mid-2006.

To enable the C1 to compete against established medium-premium segment rivals such as the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo V70, VW says it plans to make the car a sporty, comfortable cruiser.

Product strategists are examining a crossover concept that features van and station wagon elements.

To contain costs, more existing components than originally planned will be used for the five-seater.

VW will not build the C1 on the same platform as the Maserati Quattroporte. Maserati is a joint-venture partner with VW for the C1. Using the Quattroporte platform would have positioned the C1 too close to the slow-selling VW Phaeton.

VW plans to offer the C1 with an air suspension that is similar to the system under development for the Audi A6. Audi is a VW group subsidiary.

VW wants the C1's base price to be less than E35,000, or about $43,000 at current exchange rates. The volume objective has not been set, but the minimum goal is expected to be 50,000 units.

The E-Class led the segment last year with sales of 190,066 units.

Analysts say building a premium nameplate above the Passat is a logical move for VW. A premium sedan would help VW boost sales in North America and in emerging markets such as China. But there would be a risk of damaging A6 sales. -By Henning Krogh

[Alan_One]

VW rethinks plans for C1 concept car;
startup delayed to consider new ideas


:snip:
VW will not build the C1 on the same platform as the Maserati Quattroporte. Maserati is a joint-venture partner with VW for the C1. Using the Quattroporte platform would have positioned the C1 too close to the slow-selling VW Phaeton.

VW plans to offer the C1 with an air suspension that is similar to the system under development for the Audi A6. Audi is a VW group subsidiary.

:snip:

Analysts say building a premium nameplate above the Passat is a logical move for VW. A premium sedan would help VW boost sales in North America and in emerging markets such as China. But there would be a risk of damaging A6 sales. -By Henning Krogh


VW doesn't care that it's diluting Audi's market share or that it's sharing Audi technology w/ Maseratti on that quatrroporte (not noted in this release). It's bent on moving up market to a place already crowded with German cars and forgetting their core. I'm super glad that their Phaeton is sucking wind. The only people that would buy that car would also buy an A8 so who are they taking market share from? And of course they're going to be competing with the A6. It'll probably be as "original" as the Phaeton (rebadged A8)

I wish Audi would go indi. VW is doing little good for them and many bad things that you'd think they'd know better not to do. They can keep the VR6 and Haldex wannabe Quattro and Audi can keep it's 1.8t and the real deal Quattro.

F VW (but I do like that new Mark V GTI)

[paultakeda]

F VW (but I do like that new Mark V GTI)

You must be joking.

[beehotch619]

dude are you serious? vw and audi are the same thing.... its one thing to talk crap on bmw and than back up audi but what you saying makes no sense... dont get me wrong i would rather have an a4 than a gti but talking crap on vw on the behalf of audi is like talking crap of pontiac cause its hurting chevy cavalier sales...

[URQ]

If VW were smart they would make the Micro Bus instead(BUT THEY WONT) :tdown:

[SYNYSTAGLI]

C1 will be the new Jetta.....................