[V8] Re: German Pricing

[Jeremy Ward]

I agree, the dollar is suckin' right now.  You know it's bad when our V8 friends from Canada come down to visit and their dollar is finally worth more than ours... ;-)

Interesting points Scott, and I agree that VW has come a long way from their affordable peoples car.  If you look at it from the other side of the coin as an expensive new Audi owner (or should I say leaser), the amenities available in the new Jetta are a bargin!  (I am not on this side of the financial coin however, and see it like you).  Perhaps VW would do better to market the Jetta under a different name to better manage our perceptions... Isn't it known as Borla in the rest of the world?

Nathan on the NW Audi list went to the release party and here were his thoughts:
"The New Jetta reminds me of when the A4 first arrived in the states & I love
the growl of the transverse half-Lamborghini engine.  VW has definitely went
upscale & it has a better interior than the MB S-Class.  Audi used to be a
value, now it's VW."

Cheers,

- Jeremy 


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-----Original Message-----
From: S_Matus <scott_matus at yahoo.com>
To: V8 <v8 at audifans.com>; Jeremy Ward <jward at mti-interactive.com>
Sent: Mon Mar 21 07:02:03 2005
Subject: German Pricing

The exchange rate from the Euro to the dollar is going to drive up the prices on anything coming from Germany.  I do understand that VW has not had a good sales year in the US for the last few year.  Not having any new product (Except Tourag and the "Noone can afford it" Phaeton).  Audi on the other hand had done well at bringing new product to the market on a timely basis.
 
I have been looking at the pricing of the New Jetta for a commuter car.  VW thinks that they can sell a stripped Jetta in the US for $21K. You are looking at $26K for some content. They are setting themselves up for failure in my eyes.  VW is no longer the "Peoples Car".  This will have to affect Audi in the long run.  Their pricing strategy is going to be critical for remaining in the US Market.  The example I see with the New Jetta and the Phaeton will not drive people to the VW symbol, but rather to buy the lower priced, lower content Audi look-a-like. We will wait and see with the pricing on the new A3.  If it comes in under $25K base, I will opt for the 4 rings over the single ring.
 
Scott Matus
'91 V8QM
'90 V8Q
'02 allroad TQM (Wife's)
'86 Jetta GLI (Soon to adorn collector's plates)

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