[Vid6639]

Fellow moderator Ajmat and myself were discussing the other day about how VW is not seeing the potential of the Jetta.

The Jetta consistently sells more than the Octavia month on month. While it could be due to Octavia having shortage of kits, it still goes to show people are considering the Jetta over the Skoda just for the VW brand over Skoda. The Jetta has lower kit and is a generation older but still outsells the Skoda.

Moreover unlike Skoda, you don't get the Jetta in the 1.8TSI with the DSG and neither do VW offer a lower TDI comfortline trim with DSG. Skoda offers 2.0TDI DSG in Elegance as well as Ambition variants.

Incase of VW, you have to shell out close to 24lakhs for the highline diesel DSG. In this segment buyers prefer automatic over MT any day and this can be seen by the higher DSG ownership reports on the forum itself.

Now imagine if VW were to have the following variants with the Jetta.

1. 1.4 TSI with 140bhp and 7 speed DQ200 DSG. For buyers who don't need diesel and have less running. This can easily be around the 17-18L price point and really give the Elantra and Altis a run for it's money.
2. Comfortline TDI DSG. This is the most practical option. It will be around 21 lakhs on road and perfect for the chauffeur driven folks who get the leatherette seats but don't need the additional gadgets for the driver.
3. Ofcourse the 1.8TSI with 7 speed DSG would be a dream but I don't think this combination is available in RHD internationally.

The above variants would really really widen the appeal of an already brilliant car. Hopw VW sees this and are planning for it in the upcoming facelift.

[S2!!!]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

The Jetta consistently sells more than the Octavia month on month. While it could be due to Octavia having shortage of kits, it still goes to show people are considering the Jetta over the Skoda just for the VW brand over Skoda. The Jetta has lower kit and is a generation older but still outsells the Skoda.

The above variants would really really widen the appeal of an already brilliant car. Hopw VW sees this and are planning for it in the upcoming facelift.

Absolutely

In the same context, the Rapid was the first to offer a 6-speed A/T mated to the petrol unit of the top two variants while the 1.6L Vento A/T continued to be sold only in the Highline trim. It was much later that VW introduced an A/T option in the Comfortline variant too with the introduction of the TSi.

For the Jetta too, the Comfortline variant with the 2.0L diesel seems to be ideal for a person who is 90% chauffeur driven and adding the option of DSG would definitely boost sales. There are so many people who actually were in love with the Jetta but looked elsewhere as they felt stretching their budget for the top end Highline variant wasn't worth it. I hope that with the refreshed Jetta they offer the DSG with more than 1 variant.

Although, I'm not too sure if VW would consider adding a DSG to the 1.4L Jetta as majority sales would still be for the diesel in that segment. No? But yes, it would definitely widen the Jetta's appeal. Wonder if it would be worth the added investment though.

[ampere]

The only point I still think is: They always want to play the premium card in all markets. A sub 15L market even with a premium tag would need much more support in after sales as compared to luxury product. (Not that I discriminating between the segments. Just stating my thoughts).

From that aspect, over the counter spares and local spare manufacturing would add a great boost to them.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by Vid6639

Fellow moderator Ajmat and myself were discussing the other day about how VW is not seeing the potential of the Jetta.

Now imagine if VW were to have the following variants with the Jetta.

1. 1.4 TSI with 140bhp and 7 speed DQ200 DSG. For buyers who don't need diesel and have less running. This can easily be around the 17-18L price point and really give the Elantra and Altis a run for it's money.

The above variants would really really widen the appeal of an already brilliant car. Hopw VW sees this and are planning for it in the upcoming facelift.

Spot On!!. I like to day dream on what my next car should be and in the current car that I am going to buy in my dreams is the Jetta. I need an AT, do not need a diesel. Straight away throws the Jetta out of reckoning. Even if I decide diesel is ok in spite of my running, I need to fork out 24L for the Highline TDI+DSG which is too much even in my dream purchase . A 1.4TSI +DSG would be perfect.

I think they should also replace the 1.6 NA Petrol in the Vento Manual with the 1.2 TSI. At least will make the petrol manual Vento a strong contender in the petrol sedan space.

[volkman10]

Volkswagen Polo SUV to compete with Ford Ecosport. To debut end of 2015 or early 2016. This also heats up the CUV sement since Maruti's YBA too is speculated to be ready around the same time frame. ( 2016 Auto Expo debut ?)

Since the Polo is the mainstay in VW India's portfolio it does make sense considering the cost and the economics of production.



Earlier reported Taigun , but a new sub 4m CUV is being contemplated for the Indian market. The Taigun based on the UP platform at this point would be expensive since VW has no plans of bring that platform to India.
VW has also shelved using the MQB platform based derivative of the CUV due to the high cost involved.



No guesses on the engine as the 1.5 TDI will be the mainstay while VW would decide on TSI's based on their long term vision( 1.2/1.4?) of bringing the Polo GT TSI's to India.

http://motoroctane.com/upcoming/7625...-ford-ecosport

[Aditya]

Kamal Basu has been appointed Head of Marketing and PR by Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

Link to Team-BHP News Article

[AshBabu]

Mr.Basu is taking up the position when Volkswagen sales are lacking behind the competitors and Volkswagen product portfolio for India seems to be empty. The present products seems to be dated and fresh line up is order of the day.

The company is at cross road and be looking at Mr.Basu for turnaround. He should be familiar with the group operations, which is an added advantage. But critics will be skeptical as his innings at Skoda had not produced any change for better. Interesting days ahead for Volkswagen group.

[spyder_p8]

Its very difficult to call this a new appointment. Looks an obvious internal reshuffle especially when he hasn't done any wonders at SKODA. I see VW as a great company but they don't have any products to sell. Their bread and butter of Polo/Vento is also getting very old. There is nothing much to market

[turboturtle]

That's very strange. Couldn't understand Mr. Basu's appointment in Skoda in the first place - coming from an advertising background to heading the PR & Marketing for the Skoda brand is quite a long way off - they are completely different ballgames altogether. And by Mr. Basu's own admission, the only touchpoints that he had with automobiles was (prior to joining Skoda)
1. He was involved in the launch of Rapid from the advertising angle
2. He is passionate about cars (apparently he'd spent more on cars than on real estate, hope he hadn't owned a lemon Skoda )

What's the net result of his stint at Skoda? From a ground level perspective, there was perhaps more spend on the adverts (could see the Rapid's adverts almost every other week in print); but, did it translate into hard sales? Not really, going by the numbers.

I guess, the VAG group will need something more than advert blitzkrieg to arrest their falling numbers - good, saleable products for Indian market.

Cheers!
TurboTurtle

PS - I will be the first one to agree that the Polo TSI and TDI are amongst the best in class hatches; having driven the TDI, can vouch for that. However, numbers speak otherwise. Hence, the emphasis on 'saleable' products.

[Contrapunto]

Originally Posted by Aditya

Kamal Basu has been appointed Head of Marketing and PR by Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

VW thinks they have a "marketing" problem, and at worst a "branding" problems at hand which can be addressed by some focused "spin". I disagree. I think the problems are more around franchise operations management, customer care and service experience, and organisational culture (the condescending salespeople I experienced at dealerships is just the external manifestation of that, IMO). A wrong medicine. I don't think this will cure, but I will be happy to be proven wrong.

[ambivalent_98]

My opinion (as a current VW owner since 2011). If I think of an upgrade from my Highline TDI Vento (of which I have had a good experience so far not only with the car but with also After Sales Service)...VW is not a contender , they have nothing new to offer and no announcements about new products also.
I think they do need an aggressive product line and cant go on much further than a TDI / TSI keeping the same shell.

[Motard_Blr]

Originally Posted by Contrapunto

VW thinks they have a "marketing" problem, and at worst a "branding" problems at hand which can be addressed by some focused "spin". I disagree. I think the problems are more around franchise operations management, customer care and service experience, and organisational culture (the condescending salespeople I experienced at dealerships is just the external manifestation of that, IMO). A wrong medicine. I don't think this will cure, but I will be happy to be proven wrong.

Originally Posted by ambivalent_98

My opinion (as a current VW owner since 2011). If I think of an upgrade from my Highline TDI Vento (of which I have had a good experience so far not only with the car but with also After Sales Service)...VW is not a contender , they have nothing new to offer and no announcements about new products also.
I think they do need an aggressive product line and cant go on much further than a TDI / TSI keeping the same shell.

While I admire VW in the global market, it's very hard to like VW India for the reasons quoted above. I think that products and service (all aspects from pre-sales to after sales and anything in between) are equally important. Even when VW first launched, I remember thinking that the Polo is low on features for the price. They didn't even have an Aux-In socket on the music system when others were starting to offer USB as standard!

The VW India story is mirrored across Renault and Skoda. It is combination of short-sightedness, arrogance, lack of adaptation to local markets and stubbornness. Ford too made many mistakes but they did learn from them and had a good run with the Figo. Sadly, with the Ecosport, they seem to be regressing.

As in any organisation, the buck stops at the top. Without knowing the background on the situation, I would speculate that maybe the leadership does not see the big picture. They have specialists for their respective departments, but the head must be the sort of leader who can see the big picture and take decisive actions.

[S2!!!]

In August 2014 we had reported that Volkswagen invested 30 Million Euro (INR 240 crore) in setting up a new engine assembly plant which would also include a full-fledged engine testing facility at Chakan, near Pune.

The hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra - Mr. Devendra Fadnavis today inaugurated this facility. The new engine assembly plant will function over a total floor space of 3,450 sq.m within the premises of the existing plant of Volkswagen India in Chakan.

The engine testing facility includes a cold test station, a hot test bench and an engine dynamometer besides an engine test laboratory. The company will begin assembly of the 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine, which has been specifically designed and developed for the Indian market.

Currently, the Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid are being manufactured at the Chakan plant.

[sdp1975]

Volkswagen is tightening its sales and marketing operations in India to cut cost as local sales remain muted. The auto maker has closed its regional sales offices in Delhi and Bengaluru, and is focusing on exports to utilise capacity.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/46206861.cms

[spyder_p8]

Originally Posted by sdp1975

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/46206861.cms

I always have a feeling that VAG is waiting for the outcome of arbitration of fallout with Suzuki. Either they will list SUZUKI as a subsidiary ( which they did) or execute a hostile takeover. Sinister plan, but could be true. Otherwise why would they want to kill themselves in one of the fastest growing markets. It would be impossible for them to achieve 2018 without India in picture.Sorry if i sound a bit weird but this is the only way i can explain the awful speed of execution at VW India. Iam a big fan of their products but they have managed to annoy me as well.