Mr. M

A terrible first post for the Phaeton section, but it has to be done...

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Notice courtesy of Michael from VWvortex

Comments?

SDNR

Sad, yes but not unexpected. I always thought the Phaeton would be a dismal failure in the US - it is a market that values status-symbols over Quality - image over substance - it seems ridiculous to me that a car as great as the Phaeton will no longer be sold in the US and yet they will happily pay for the gas-guzzling Mercedes G class simply because it might impress their unsophisticated neighbours.

Mr. M

The US owners at VWvortex are quite disappointed, but at least the Phaeton is doing well in the rest of the world. Especially Europe. It's a good move to phase out the Phaeton out of NA IMO, because VW will continue losing money. It's a great loss to NA that they did not appreciate such an underrated car, but VW is partly to blame too because of its poor dealerships and feeble marketing. I believe this problem is inherent in many parts of the world for VW. Like how VW incorporates its complex four-wheel drive mechanisms into the Phaeton, but they never advertise like it Audi advertises Quattro. Or how the dedicated team at Dresden keep in contact with VWvortex forum members constantly to address issues on hand and also to receive suggestions. I think not many people will know this.

Centurion

Right on spot as usually Roberto. The american are very imgae concious and especially when it comes to cars. With Audi cars being discriminated due to their VW DNA, it is hard to see the Phaeton selling as good as the A8 in US.

Yannis

If you think that's the reason Audi is not selling well in the US then you got it all wrong. 95% of all car buyers in US don't even know that Audi is owned from VW and the VW DNA you claim to see it's not obvious to me really.

Mr. M

Yeah, I think it's more of a problem of brand recognition than one of company affliliations.

I just hope Bernd does not completely phase out the Phaeton from VW. I remembered one of his statements was "to keep VW as cost-efficient as possible." Although the Phaeton is barely making enough money for VW (I think), the Phaeton just needs time for acceptance, like the time needed by the A8 to finally have people thinking of it as a venerable contender to the heavyweight S-Class and 7 Series.

And marketing! VW's marketing is horrendous.

SDNR

Quite Mirage77, but I wouldn't worry too much about it, those stupid people who insist on paying so much more for a Bentley Continental GT or Flying Spur are helping to keep the money coming in at VW.

BTW, I must confess - I know somebody who is buying a Flying Spur, he is not a man of extraordinary taste or particularly good judgement. The Phaeton is an excellent car of great value; the Flying spur costs way more and isn't as good looking - yet people will pay for that badge.

Alx

Absolutley, i feel bad for current Phaeton owners... They gotta be really dissapointed. Great car, but what a downer!

Yannis

It's strange how much more people are willing to pay just for the brand name but i can't blame them. If it hadn't been like that the German companies would all be bankrupt by now.

As for the FS not being good looking i don't agree. It's exactly how a Bentley should be.

SDNR

Alex. I just want to make it clear that I don't think all Americans are only interested in status-symbols - you for one, are most certainly a true car enthusiast of substance. I was referring to "the market" in general - the US being the biggest auto-market. To be honest however, I think many Europeans are just as "image conscious" - and in my experience, the Chinese take brand awareness to new levels of obsession.