As Toyota Sputters, VW steers for the top

Ok boys, let’s talk real here. Personally I don’t think Volks will get to the top and if they do it will be more fun than watching the manner Toyota performs at the top. Let’s see, ten brands, umm didn’t they learn anything from GM? Or did Volks actually learn from GM and become *effective* at brand management? Personally I think it’s too soon to count out the oriental makers as the same with Detroit for that matter. I will suggest that Japan’s rising sun may in fact be setting.

At any rate let’s see what you folks can come up with. One more thing, what’s up with the funky smell in the new Volks? Has anyone taken the time to smell the interior of a new Volkswagen with leather?

Here’s a perfect example of what should be on an autos forum, yet nobody posts.

Amazing –

truckin?

I would love to see VW come out with a small diesel pickup. Put in the 4 cylinder diesel from
the jetta. VW's sales won't pick up until their plant is finished.

Tom Loy wrote:

I would love to see VW come out with a small diesel pickup. Put in the 4 cylinder diesel from
the jetta. VW's sales won't pick up until their plant is finished.

VW has an excellent reputation here in Canada.
Quality ratings and resale values are among the highest in the business.
Their 4 cyl.diesel is well and truly bulletproof--- long term owners find they'll outlast the rest of the vehicle!

JJFADS wrote:

Ok boys, let’s talk real here. Personally I don’t think Volks will get to the top and if they do it will be more fun than watching the manner Toyota performs at the top. Let’s see, ten brands, umm didn’t they learn anything from GM? Or did Volks actually learn from GM and become *effective* at brand management? Personally I think it’s too soon to count out the oriental makers as the same with Detroit for that matter. I will suggest that Japan’s rising sun may in fact be setting.
At any rate let’s see what you folks can come up with. One more thing, what’s up with the funky smell in the new Volks? Has anyone taken the time to smell the interior of a new Volkswagen with leather?

My wife's new VW convert has leather.(Beetle "Blush Edition")
What funky smell are you talking about?
Maybe it's your smeller that's the issue?

Stop It wrote:

<quoted text>
VW has an excellent reputation here in Canada.
Quality ratings and resale values are among the highest in the business.
Their 4 cyl.diesel is well and truly bulletproof--- long term owners find they'll outlast the rest of the vehicle!

I've heard VW owners with some terrific miles on their engines.
Half a million. Thats why you won't see GM and Ford put diesels
in their cars, they are too worried about them lasting forever,
but it didn't help them keep sales when the economy soured. They
have not figured out if you don't give consumers what they want,
someone else will.

Toyota not in my driveway.

Tom Loy wrote:

<quoted text>
I've heard VW owners with some terrific miles on their engines.
Half a million. Thats why you won't see GM and Ford put diesels
in their cars, they are too worried about them lasting forever,
but it didn't help them keep sales when the economy soured. They
have not figured out if you don't give consumers what they want,
someone else will.

Agree.
I don't think the domestics have quite got their act together yet.
Too much focus on market segment and not enough on customer.

Toyota Blowed Up wrote:

Toyota not in my driveway.

You clearly lack the financial backing to pass their strict credit check.

Dear Mr. Authority, I have perfect credit.

TOYOTA are ugly cars,same as VW.1000 times i would buy a FIAT in this category.More economic,reliable and they make your day by smiling to you with their decent shape.

Barbarians OUT wrote:

TOYOTA are ugly cars,same as VW.1000 times i would buy a FIAT in this category.More economic,reliable and they make your day by smiling to you with their decent shape.

Sorry buck, but Fiats cannot be sold in the United States. Americans do not want them, which is why Fiat bailed on this market years ago. Now get back in the kitchen and go make some gyros.

The Authority wrote:

<quoted text>Sorry buck, but Fiats cannot be sold in the United States. Americans do not want them, which is why Fiat bailed on this market years ago. Now get back in the kitchen and go make some gyros.

WOW!!!I was talking about cars generally Billy.How should i know that,you have started drive cars instead of tip carts.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/350601489...

Stop It wrote:

<quoted text>
My wife's new VW convert has leather.(Beetle "Blush Edition")
What funky smell are you talking about?
Maybe it's your smeller that's the issue?

Maybe so --It just seems like the leather has a strange odor. No big deal.

The Authority wrote:

<quoted text>Sorry buck, but Fiats cannot be sold in the United States. Americans do not want them, which is why Fiat bailed on this market years ago. Now get back in the kitchen and go make some gyros.

Don’t try to shut people up by telling them to make gyros. If the guy thinks toyota cars are ugly then so what?

Fact - Fiat has been shunned by the American consumers.

Opinon - Toyota cars are ugly.

Fact - Greeks make gyros and souvlaki.

Fact – lacking tact and rude.

As you posted this on the German forum, let's see a couple of German facts.

1.- If you want a quality car that will last and last and last, but stock suspension is not that great, and Autobahn performance is so so, you buy a Japanese car.

2.- If you live in Germany and you want a fun car that performs well on the Autobahn all the way up to 160 mph (or more), but once in a while something falls off it or something breaks, you buy a Porsche, BMW or Mercedes.

Germans evidently go for 2, and I do too, as you see very few Japanese cars in Germany. We live part-time in Bavaria in Waldkirchen by the Czech border, so I know a thing or two about German driving.

Tom Loy wrote:

<quoted text>
I've heard VW owners with some terrific miles on their engines.
Half a million. Thats why you won't see GM and Ford put diesels
in their cars, they are too worried about them lasting forever.......

You don't see diesels in Germany because they last longer, but because they cost 1/2 - 2/3 to run, compared to gasoline cars. Premium gas is about 1.4 Euros/liter around Bavaria, compared to about 1.15 for Diesel. Plus, a TDI car will get about 30% better fuel economy compared to a gasoline car with similar power.

Take 400 lb-ft from a diesel-powered 3-liter BMW 535d and 400 lb-ft from a 5-liter gasoline-powered BMW 550i, and you will see the difference is cost. Believe me, you don't WANT a gasoline car in Europe.

Japanese cars are trash cans.Light nanufacturings of light duty which provide light sense of security.However their engines are good although in 2009,all engines are good.Awfully bad brakes and interior designs at least 10 years behind European cars,with just the necessary equipment unless you pay for a Lexus which either way it's inferior to a i.e BMW or Maserati or even AUDI,not to mention Mercedes.Exterior design full of mediocrity makes japanese cars invisible,coz noone watches them,and trust me they don't want to.The only Japanese company which is serious and deserves recognition for it's achievements is Honda.All the rest are good only for...Asians.