2011 Volkswagen Passat
Matt: Hit. I want to say miss but Volkswagen is well aware of what it is doing. This new car is now purely for the mainstream, for the masses, but because it is a VW, consumers will associate the brand and the car as a higher-end product. And it is but certain corners having been cut in order to make it affordable, but you'll never find them all. First indication is the departure of the 2.0T but it makes no difference in the grand scheme of things.
Mike: Hit. VW is drawing a lot of flak for cheapening up the Jetta, but the strategy seems to be paying off on the sales charts. The Passat will get the same treatment in order to rival other mid-size sedans at a sub-$25K price. We still don’t like the idea, but it will be less expensive, so people will buy it.
Luc: Hit. I have been impressed with the efforts by the people in Wolfsburg to Americanize their products. Following the lead of the Jetta, which is larger than ever to suit our southern neighbours, the new Passat could easily be mistaken for a Chevrolet Malibu – that is until you notice the turbodiesel.
 |
| Photo: Volkswagen |
Matt: Hit. I want to say miss but Volkswagen is well aware of what it is doing. This new car is now purely for the mainstream, for the masses, but because it is a VW, consumers will associate the brand and the car as a higher-end product. And it is but certain corners having been cut in order to make it affordable, but you'll never find them all. First indication is the departure of the 2.0T but it makes no difference in the grand scheme of things.
Mike: Hit. VW is drawing a lot of flak for cheapening up the Jetta, but the strategy seems to be paying off on the sales charts. The Passat will get the same treatment in order to rival other mid-size sedans at a sub-$25K price. We still don’t like the idea, but it will be less expensive, so people will buy it.
Luc: Hit. I have been impressed with the efforts by the people in Wolfsburg to Americanize their products. Following the lead of the Jetta, which is larger than ever to suit our southern neighbours, the new Passat could easily be mistaken for a Chevrolet Malibu – that is until you notice the turbodiesel.