http://money.cnn.com/2004/03/09/news...lkswagen.reut/

 

How much was actually expected out of the Phaeton?

I thought VW was only hoping to sell a very few models. I don't think it has enough volume to cause that kind of slup. Like the article says, the company relies more on the Golf (and Jetta) for their cash makers.

 

I like it!!!!

 

Did you even RTFA? Of course you didn't. You just thought "Phaetons are expensive and aren't selling well, and VW isn't making as much profit this year."

Talk about a false causality. Read the article then formulate a quality thought provoking question.

The Phaeton is a fine car and a resonable exploration of a new market. Whether it sells well isn't as of integral concern as knowing that it doesn't sell well.

 

For those of you that don't want to read, the actual cause for the decline was "growing pricing pressure, a weak economy and unfavorable exchange rates" that "meant topping last year's operating profit would be a stretch"

That, and any correlation made to a specific model was geared toward the Golf.

 

VW management has come under criticism -- including from supervisory board members -- after a venture upmarket that has so far failed to pay off and has eaten into VW's cash reserves.

Investing in cars such as the 1,000 horsepower Bugatti Veyron, the Bentley Continental GT and VW's own top-of-the-range Phaeton have distracted attention from traditional money spinners such as the more humble Golf hatchback, critics say.


http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/bre...309&ID=3474398


Ok so now I have a reference to the Phaeton so what is your point? So I ask again was the Phaeton a stupid move for VW?

 

Was the Phaeton a dumb move? I think so and you already have the answer why. The Phaeton and other similar projects have taken a huge number of resources to create and these products will probably not change revenue for VW-Audi. One car site I love to check out every week has an editorial about this.

www.autoextremist.com

 

Hell they should have seen the writing on the walls when the W8 flopped they way it did!

 

The Phaeton would have been a great Audi if rebadged. (Maybe call it an A7 or something..... just a notch below the A8) 95% of people would rather have a Lexus LS430 over this overpriced crap. Overpriced because it's coming from the same dealership that sells Golfs and Jettas)

The Bentley Continental GT Coupe however, will be a success. Keep an eye on it, it's opening up a whole new market segment.

 

I would love the Continental GT if I didn't have to see the back end. I really prefer the looks and performance of the more potent Mercedes CL65 6.0 L BiTurbo with over 600 HP and lb-ft :D :D :D