[Vwdiesel] FYI on new VW Golf

Wed Aug 13 02:34:49 PDT 2008

I received this from "Just Auto", an on line auto newsletter out of the UK 
you can subscribe to on a free or very costly basis. Thought some of you 
might be interested in the new Golf info.
William J Toensing, Nevada City, CA
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <editor at just-auto.com>
To: <toensing at wildblue.net>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 4:05 AM
Subject: just-auto Editor's Weekly Highlights

<------     just-auto Editor's Weekly Highlights   -------->
                       Issue No 432
                      * Aug 11, 2008 *
              Dave Leggett, Managing Editor
  <-----------   http://www.just-auto.com  ------------->

   (O=Open Access, R=Registration needed, M=Member Only)

  => EDITORIAL =============================================

  We caught a glimpse of the new - generation six - Volkswagen
  Golf last week and it clearly follows the well-trodden VW
  Golf 'evolutionary' path in terms of its external design.
  Much about what's interesting with this car is under the
  skin. It sounds like it will be packed with innovation and,
  presumably, a lower cost/price than the outgoing model.

  It will be interesting to see how the model performs in a
  segment in which the bar has most certainly been raised over
  the last five years.

  I wonder if the next Golf has grown bigger though? That's
  one of the things that continually amazes me in this
  industry - that cars keep on getting bigger and heavier. It
  seems that with each generational change, the designers
  cannot resist a few dimensional 'improvements' to underline
  the new car's superiority over what it replaces. A Golf Mk 1
  is a very, very different car in terms of size to the
  current one. So's the Mk 3 come to think of it.

  And then there's the added weight associated with all the
  regulatory and market pressures to pack even more in to the
  new car.

  I am sure the new Golf will be impressive on many levels.
  But how much bigger and heavier will it be than the one it
  replaces?

  Does it matter if it's heavier and bigger than its
  predecessor? In a sense, perhaps it doesn't. Anyone who
  feels it's become too big can downsize to the Polo and maybe
  the bigger size plays well into the mid-sized family car
  area in which many owners of larger cars will be looking to
  downsize over the next couple of years - the larger
  C-segment cars perhaps hitting a new sweet spot where
  D-segment once ruled.

  But isn't it a little odd that cars are apparently putting
  on weight in these energy cost and CO2 conscious times?

  GERMANY: Volkswagen 'officially' unveils sixth generation
  Golf: http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=95620

  Don't forget to check the blog

  http://www.just-auto.com/blogs.aspx

  Until next time...

  Dave Leggett, Managing Editor

  Web: http://www.just-auto.com
  Email: mailto:editor at just-auto.com

  => TOP NEWS AND COMMENT ======================================

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  THE WEEK THAT WAS: More sales and profit gloom
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  US: Chrysler talks mid-size car deal with Nissan - paper
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  JAPAN/UK [updated 15:40BST]: Toyota Q1 profits fall,
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  CANADA: Magna Q2 profit skids 13%
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  CHINA: BYD plans EVs for Israel
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  RESEARCH ANALYSIS: Run-flat market is running flat-out
  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95631&lk=dm [O]

  JAPAN: Nissan shows off new EV and hybrid technology
  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95622&lk=dm [R]

  GERMANY: Volkswagen 'officially' unveils sixth generation
  Golf
  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95620&lk=dm [O]

  UK: Falling consumer confidence hits new car sales
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  UK: Lotus develops system to give hybrids 'engine' sound
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  GERMANY: Conti wants alternative investors
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  EMERGING MARKETS ANALYSIS: Zilinia - Kia's model of
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  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95613&lk=dm [M]

  GERMANY/UK: New Golf photos 'leaked' onto internet
  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95612&lk=dm [O]

  JAPAN: Toyota taking full control of South Africa unit
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  INDIA: Second GM plant opens soon
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  US: GM and Ford engine collaboration?
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  US: Chrysler made first-half operating profit - CFO
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  US: July sales down a fifth
  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95597&lk=dm [O]

  UK: Hyundai eyes volume boost
  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95600&lk=dm [M]

  JAPAN: Nissan develops 'eco pedal'
  http://www.just-auto.com/nd.aspx?id=95598&lk=dm [M]

  (News Homepage : http://www.just-auto.com/news/)

  => HOT TOPIC =============================================

  <<US: GM posts $15.5bn second quarter loss>>
  General Motors has reported a net loss of US$15.5bn or
  $27.33 per share for the second quarter, including
  "significant charges and special items", compared with net
  income of $784m ($1.37 per share) a year ago.

  http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=95589&lk=dm [O]

  -> Related Items <-

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  http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=95603&lk=dm [R]

  Read more:
  http://www.just-auto.com/topic.aspx?id=136

  => LATEST MARKET RESEARCH REPORTS ========================

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  => THIS MONTH'S MANAGEMENT BRIEFING =======================

  Counterfeit car parts in the global auto industry

  The global market for counterfeit vehicle parts has grown
  exponentially over the last five years to be worth US$16bn
  worldwide and is growing at an estimated 9-11% a year, as
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  and other vehicle manufacturers and the authorities are
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  gateway market for these parts - the Middle East; a prime
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  http://www.just-auto.com/briefings/

  => LATEST DISCUSSIONS ====================================

  RESEARCH ANALYSIS: Run-flat market is running flat-out
  http://www.just-auto.com/ft.aspx?c=11&t=7783

  US: July sales down a fifth
  http://www.just-auto.com/ft.aspx?c=11&t=7771

  JAPAN/US: Mitsubishi EV to be trialled by California utility
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