Bernhard has been working hard to rectify this issue, incidentally,
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| VW's priorities have shifted to improving reliability and quality to match its workmanship and advanced engineering skills. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada) |
amid the challenges of readjusting to complex and intrusive German regulations. Along with boosting quality, VW's top-boss has also been charged with reducing overall costs, upping production efficiencies and introducing new cars, crossovers, SUVs, trucks and vans. He's the right man to do the job, having already threatened to reduce VW's German workforce by up to 20,000 over the next three years through shuttering German plants.
What could save some of those workers, mind you, is the much needed compact crossover SUV to be based on a new platform using the VW EOS' platform as a base. As strange as it sounds, the EOS is a mixed-breed between the compact Golf/Jetta and the wider, and longer Passat. It features the Golf's wheelbase, mixed with the Passat's width and track for a sturdy, stable chassis, perfect for a compact SUV. A stylized version of this new model showed up in Geneva, dubbed Concept A - no doubt for its A-segment dimensions. VW will hold a contest to let consumers choose the name of this vehicle, but it is unknown if the German automaker is planning to produce a version of its Concept A or if it is searching for a new name for the upcoming production "Beduin"; its compact SUV.
So
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| Volkswagen's subcompact Polo is due to be replaced within two years. The next generation model could very well be sold in North America. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada) |
far, most of this report has been about how Volkswagen will benefit from this global alliance, other than help from Volkswagen in improving its venerable minivan, but what else might DCX get in return? Something special that will allow Dodge to enter back into the subcompact segment for the first time since its collaboration with the now deceased Talbot for the Omni/Horizon twins. It is rumoured that in return for a minivan, VW will share the blueprints for a new B-Segment (Yaris, Aveo, Fit) platform which could underpin a new car for one of DaimlerChrysler's American nameplates. This vehicle, most likely the next VW Polo (perhaps sold under the name Fox in VW trim), would be built at its Puebla, Mexico assembly plant. This would also mark VW's re-entry into the subcompact segment from which its extended modern day lineup was born.
While we're not quite sure of VW's intentions for the minivan, with regards to North American objectives, if any, DCX's
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| A production version of the Hornet Concept would be sure to cause a buzz for Dodge in Europe. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
plans are clear-cut for a new subcompact. As a part of Dodge's aggressive European entry, such a vehicle would target entry-level buyers, an essential element to an overall global strategy that currently includes cars from its compact Caliber to supercar Viper. As the new B-segment model would no doubt share many components with the equivalent VW, it will no doubt incorporate the build quality and performance that appeals to Europeans. What would a Dodge subcompact look like? Look no further than the Hornet Concept that was introduced at the Geneva show just a few days ago for a few good clues.
While no one knows for sure what DaimlerChrysler will offer Europeans in the subcompact segment, or if that model or a derivative thereof will be available anywhere else in the world, namely here at home in North America where B-segment cars are experiencing a revival, one
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| A replacement for Canada's favourite minivan, the Dodge Caravan a.k.a. 'Magic Wagon', should be on its way soon. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
thing that is most certain, however, is that Volkswagen will replace its European Sharan with the upcoming DCX joint venture van. Oddly, VW hasn't had a competitive minivan in North America since the demise of its original bus, missing out on untold profits and losing market share to the Big 3 and Japanese. Even more oddly, if Volkswagen introduces its new van in the U.S. and Canada alongside the Dodge and Chrysler versions, it will enter a market that is currently soft on vans, seemingly more interested in crossover vehicles at the moment. This said Hyundai is also entering the market for the first time, showing that there is still significant numbers to warrant investment. If VW can do a good enough job producing the "Cadillac of minivans", to coin a phrase John Travolta's Chili character used to describe a first-generation Oldsmobile Silhouette he drove in the comedy film "Get Shorty", it may have a hit on its hands. Hopefully, for VW's sake, its new van does better than GM's "Dustbuster" vans. Chrysler Group's versions will undoubtedly be best-sellers.
