Re: VW takes beating in new JDP IQS

["Shaun D. Mullen" <smullen@philly.infi.net>]

Andrew Buc wrote:

> On Mon, 10 May 1999 14:13:34 -0400, Shaun D. Mullen wrote:
> >New Jaguars had the fewest defects (110 per 10 vehicles)
> Why don't you just knock me over w/a feather? :)

 Me too, considering that Jags were unadulterated pieces of crap for
years.  Ford gets most of the credit for the turnaround.  Moral of the
story, and one that VW/Audi ignore at enormous risk: The automobile biz
has become so hyper-competitive that complacency in any area (quality in
the case of VW; not listening to its solid driver-enthusiast base in the
U.S. and some troubling signs of quality problems with the new A6 in the
case of Audi) can translate into future sales and competitive edge
lost.  Remember, a significant majority of Audi owners are driving their
first Audis.  Getting these folks behind the wheel of an Audi has been
challenging enough given the competition.  Getting them to re-up will be
as difficult -- if not more so.

My own particular gripe with Audi concerns its disinterest in bringing
over enhanced versions of its Avants at a time when the near-luxury and
luxury station wagon market is heating up.  Is there gonna be a
U.S.-spec S4 Avant?  No.  Yes.  Maybe.  Will there be U.S.-spec A6 4.2
Avant and/or S6 Avant models?  Audi says no, a small but significant
blind spot in its efforts to compete across the board with Mercedes and
BMW in the U.S.

Shaun Mullen
West Grove, PA.