VW slashes model range
Beige not selling well, reckons Wolfsburg
VW Phaeton: in beige no more
In a bid to cut its infamously high costs, Volkswagen is making a number of changes to its product ranges and reducing the number of vehicle engine, trim and specification combinations. The spin is that it's "simplifying choice for customers".
Currently there are almost 10,000 build combinations available when taking into consideration models, trims, colours and upholsteries. This is being reduced considerably but has been done, said the company, in a way that will not affect buyers as the deleted models are those that very few actually buy.
Others you'll miss from the showroom (or maybe not) include the 74bhp Golf 1.4S, the 148bhp Golf GT 2.0 4MOTION, no fewer than seven Golf Plus models, a couple of Tourans, eight Passats and eight Polos.
The recently updated Fox, Eos, Jetta and Touareg model ranges have not altered.
mk1fan said:
I have long believed that there is too much material/colour choice available from any manufacturer. Porsche seem to be the biggest offender with some truely gaustly interior trim colours.
you're having a laugh, Porsche choice is pretty limited (dark blue, black, beige, light grey are the only std options). If you want to spend a lot more you have two natural leather colours (cocoa brown and dark grey) and anything else is more still
Adam B said:
you're having a laugh, Porsche choice is pretty limited (dark blue, black, beige, light grey are the only std options). If you want to spend a lot more you have two natural leather colours (cocoa brown and dark grey) and anything else is more still
Rightly so. At least Porsche let people with unique (i.e.
) tastes pay a hefty price to have their cars made ugly and don't roll over the cost to all the other customers. >> Edited by Dr S on Thursday 11th May 13:07
1.2 55bhp
1.2 64bhp
1.4 75bhp
1.4 86bhp
1.4 100bbp
I've driven a Seat Ibiza in its 1.2 (65bhp) and 1.4 (75bhp) and there was no feasable difference between them; they were both shockingly lethargic. As I see it, there's justification for only one zero-performace engine, which either of the 1.2s or 1.4 75bhp would satisfy. The other two 1.4s could be similarly combined to provide a single "acceptable" performance option.
They also have massive overlap accross the brands - A Golf plus is an ugly and expensive version of the beautiful and incredible value Seat Altea.
hugoagogo said:
the whole golf/golf estate/golf plus/touran/caddy/jetta/ range is ridiculous, surely 2 or 3 of those could be cut out with no loss?
Strange isn't it. Niche models just seems an irrelevance to me. Most of them are no more practical/different from the other models in the range and just seem to add cost in development and marketing. The golf plus is a perfect example. A tall golf, erm right so that appeals to who exactly, NBA basketball players? And who has ever really needed a 7 seater car with no luggage space?
if someone can explain the benefits in real financial terms to manufacturers of the Niche model craze then I'll go along with it. Otherwise it seems to me the only people who do well out of this are the marketing people.
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