Porsche/VW Group U.S. Diesel Strategy Interview

What another dirty fuel car from the Rhine which will bleed you dry in repair and maintenance costs.

 

Bit off topic, but it's just comical to look at all the sedan offerings on Edmunds for example. Almost every one of them has city mpg rating somewhere in the twenties. Then you get to Toyota or Lexus hybrids .... city mpg rating in the 40 mpgs+ (Camry, Avalon, ES300h)

 

Und ve vill conquer the Vorld!

 

Dummkopf Wolfgang.

 

JS: What is the impetus for diesel today?

Wolfgang Hatz: It is very clear to me that diesel is the only way we will meet future emissions requirements going to 2020 and beyond. Nothing will enable us to maintain performance and lower exhaust emissions including CO, NOx, HC, and PM as well as greenhouse gases [CO2] except for diesel.

Unnacceptable statement from WH.
The harder I think about this the harder I will ever buy a VAG.

 

This guy is stuck in the past as we all look to the future.

 

He does not see any possible alternatives to power a motor vehicle in the future except with the use of ICE.

 

There's a lot of negative stories about VW reliability on here but they're not known for being unreliable this side of the pond (well not too bad).

Where are the US market VW's built? And could that be the issue?

 

There are a few things wrong with VW. One is they believe Diesel is the future. This is different than the Americans most notable GM Volt and Ford c-max and Japanese Toyota Prius Etc nd Honda hybrid de jour.

VW keeps promoting Diesel as the future and frankly it is insulting to our intelligence.

Other than that German culture of cold and aloof and not accepting of other cultures is much different than American culture and they have a hard time adopting in our multi cultural society of equality. Perhaps that is a different topic.

VW makes cheap cars they are assembled in Mexico but they do sell them well. They are not as reliable as Japanese cars.

 

It is and one for another day. But in the defense of our German friends, I find it interesting that your recent Super Bowl final produced a World Champion, though only American teams take part. Strange.

Come join the rest of the World and play games common with the rest of us in this multi cultural society of equality you're so keen on. Why play National games that hardly any other country in the world plays, and then claim yourself world champions.

Or is this a topic for another day?

 

They are the world champions of American Football

The us is multi cultural, and most find soccer boring. The country does field teams, but they are unable to attract the best athletes. Most that follow the sport agree the US is not the best at it

I don't like VW's history, but I have nothing against the current company. In its home markets diesel sells very well. It has plants in the US and Mexico, and I doubt those plants make up the difference.

VW: We know you're nervous, but our quality is improving

 

Yep we all have our faults, but you guys did not get the memo about driving on the wrong side of the road? Get with the program.

 

Soccer is popular in California . We (USA)do go to the World Cup but the Europeans and South Americans have very strong teams. I watched Spain take the Title last year on TV.

The Americans I know we say it is a world series but never invite anyone but Canada. Go Figure.

 

The expensive VW Toureg essentially.

 

German Friends- please don't assume. Look my friend perhaps Germany lost the big war, but they got what they wanted through the EU. They dominate European economics and have Italy and France in line, and have punished Greece and Spain. Perhaps the English were smart to stay independant. G-d save the Queen.

 

I owned a 2006 and a 2009 Jetta TDI and both cars were back to the dealer more than any cars I've ever owned. Wiring harnesses, sensors, transmissions, etc. were having problems with those two. Even the inside rear view mirror broke on one of them. Never again. Oh, they were both assembled in Mexico, but the parts mostly came from Europe.

 

My car pool buddy years ago purchased a VW GTI, what a piece of junk. He had to sell it with 60,000 miles. Endless problems. Purchased a Acura RL and no problems. My Bummer was more trouble than it was worth.

 

Europeans Get Interested In Hybrids Just As U.S. Looks To Diesels

 

I think the price of diesel and petrol used to be closer thanI have been seeing for the past couple of years -- between 60 -100 cents/gallon for diesel here in NM. So even if diesels did not have their infamous unrealibility, the fuel price difference is going to keep them stuck at niche status.