Does Diesel-gate mean no new Phaeton?

"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
09/28/2015 at 12:05 • Filed to: None

I think so or at least not by the 2018-19 timeframe suggested.

I figured the new Phaeton would flop like the last one because no one sees VW as a premium brand, especially after they pushed so hard to be a cheap brand chasing numbers instead of quality and value like the rest of the market.

Now they have this whole diesel thing to deal with marring their image. The fines and recalls will put more than a small dent in their coffers as well taking money away from niche cars like the Phaeton.

What are your thoughts?

DISCUSSION (24)

Ash78, voting early and often > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:11

“With computer technology so advanced, you’ll never even know how hard it’s working. We’re proof.”

Yeah, I’d play that angle.

Party-vi > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:13

Oh look, an A8 for less that no one will buy, because it’s not an Audi.

Klaus Schmoll > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:17

They are actually a slow but steady seller in Germany. The few customers they have are all repeat customers who come back after a few years to get a new one.

TheHondaBro > Party-vi
09/28/2015 at 12:17

hip hip horray

Party-vi > TheHondaBro
09/28/2015 at 12:18

~ Nobody

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:22

I’m more worried about dieselgate meaning no Audi F1.

LongbowMkII > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:25

So you’re saying that there’s a silver lining for VAG’s bottom line?

LongbowMkII > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
09/28/2015 at 12:26

Skoda F1>*

Jagvar > Party-vi
09/28/2015 at 12:27

I love the Phaeton, but you’re right. There isn’t a business case for it. It would be like Toyota trying to sell the Century and the LS460 in the same market.

Party-vi > Jagvar
09/28/2015 at 12:29

I don’t think Americans have the capacity to imagine that a single car company can produce a range of models that include economy and luxury. For some reason we think these things are mutually exclusive.

Funktheduck > Party-vi
09/28/2015 at 12:30

At the price range this will go for people will just step up and pay a little extra for the badge

Jagvar > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:30

I think niche cars like the Phaeton are going to be tabled while VW is dealing with the crisis. But if they’re wondering if bringing it back is a good idea, they only need to ask KIA how they’re doing with the K900.

Funktheduck > Klaus Schmoll
09/28/2015 at 12:30

Is that because it's cheaper to buy a new one than pay for the repairs on the current one?

Funktheduck > Jagvar
09/28/2015 at 12:31

I saw one of those once.

Jagvar > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:32

I’ve seen TWO!

KnowsAboutCars > Jagvar
09/28/2015 at 12:45

Toyota actually does that in Japan though.

Funktheduck > Jagvar
09/28/2015 at 12:46

They should recruit you for unicorn hunting in N Korea.

Klaus Schmoll > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 12:49

Naw, people who buy in this price bracket get a new one every few years anyway.

Funktheduck > Klaus Schmoll
09/28/2015 at 13:06

Ah. Is there a reason they don’t pay a little more for the Audi? I know that was a problem stateside.

I do like the idea of stealth luxury but I didn't like the way the last one looked in the first place.

jariten1781 > Party-vi
09/28/2015 at 13:18

They’d get over the lineup issue for the right car...they would not get over the sales/service issue. VW would need to set up special high end only dealers/service centers...but at that point you may as well set it up as a separate brand so you won’t have existing exclusive dealer agreements as an anchor.

Klaus Schmoll > Funktheduck
09/28/2015 at 13:31

Dunno. It’s probably the stealth luxury idea, and the fact that some of the Phaeton’s interiour features (self-closing air vents, draftless A/C) weren’t available on the A8 IIRC.

Party-vi > jariten1781
09/28/2015 at 13:39

They did that already - it’s called Audi.

Vicente Esteve > Jagvar
09/28/2015 at 16:23

pics or it didn’t happen.

His Stigness > Jagvar
09/28/2015 at 20:13

The problem with the K900 though is it’s a half-baked attempt to copy every high-end luxury car on the market, and they haven’t done a good job. Every review I’ve read essentially says it sort of sucks, and you should stick with the industry leader when it comes to value luxury, and that’s Lexus.

The Phaeton, however, is built by a company that makes both the A8, and Bentley’s, so it comes from true luxury.