2007 Volkswagen Polo U.S. Debut Stalled
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Vehicles -> subcategory Cars.
2007 Volkswagen Polo: Is Its U.S. Debut Stalled?
Summary:
Will the Volkswagen Polo make its way to the U.S., and if so, will it arrive as a VW or be rebranded as a Dodge?Article:
Volkswagen's plans to introduce the Polo to the U.S. market have hit a snag, potentially allowing rival DaimlerChrysler (DCX) to import and sell the car under the Dodge label. Naturally, VW dealers are concerned, but the implications are broader than they seem. Is the Polo still coming, and if not, what's causing the delay?
Automobile marketing has evolved significantly over the years. Gone are the days of purely national brands; now, cars often carry one label but are manufactured by another company. This globalized approach has been embraced by automakers worldwide.
The Polo is a strong candidate for VW’s American lineup, sitting below the Golf. Many manufacturers are redesigning their offerings to introduce smaller, entry-level vehicles. Here are a few examples:
- Chevrolet: The Korean automaker Daewoo, a GM subsidiary, supplies the Aveo, which sits below the Cobalt.
- Honda: After 35 years, the Civic will no longer be Honda's entry-level model. A smaller car, the Jazz, is expected to be introduced soon.
- Mercedes: Even luxury automakers like Mercedes are considering models smaller than their current C-Class.
- BMW: Similarly, BMW is contemplating bringing in smaller models.
- Dodge: With the impending release of the Neon replacement, the Caliber, Dodge still seeks a model smaller than the Caliber. Their previous relationship with Mitsubishi is no longer viable, so the hunt for an entry-level car supplier continues.
Enter Volkswagen
An intriguing possibility is Volkswagen, despite being a competitor to DCX’s Mercedes in Europe. VW needs a minivan, and The Chrysler Group plans to let VW sell a rebadged version of its minivan in the U.S. In return, Dodge could market the Polo, a compact car boasting a 1.2L engine, delivering about 35 mpg in the city and over 50 mpg on the highway.
Currently, the Polo is available in Europe as three- or five-door hatchbacks, a less popular style in the U.S. To attract American buyers, VW might ship a specially designed four-door sedan.
While VW seems committed to this arrangement with DCX, there’s still a possibility the Polo could be sold as a Volkswagen in the U.S. By offering the hatchback exclusively through VW dealers, they could maintain interest. Coupled with a 1.9L turbo diesel option, fuel efficiency could exceed 60 mpg, a tempting prospect for VW dealers eager to see the Polo in the U.S. market.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: 2007 Volkswagen Polo U.S. Debut Stalled .
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