Volkswagen/Porsche to be world's largest

[aquaknight]

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...est-automaker/
When Porsche will finally merge with VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group, which includes notables such as Lamborghini and Bentley) they will overtake Toyota as the world's largest car company.
Porsche and VW have always been linked. From Ferdinand Porsche making the VW Beetle in Nazi Germany, after founding Porsche, to today, VW is Porsche's majority parts supplier. For the last 3.5 years Porsche has been attempting to buy VW. But it seems like a case of a fish trying to shallow something too big, after 3.5 years unsuccessful, the $12billion debt burden is just too much, and Porsche will likely fold into VW.
Personally, I prefer seeing VW at #1 instead of Toyota. VAG actually brings products that are inspired, instead of the lifeless Asain doorslammers... While it many seem like VW's aren't that popular here, they're everywhere else. Though this does mean that GM will slip to 3rd

 

[reefraff]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3170755
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...est-automaker/
When Porsche will finally merge with VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group, which includes notables such as Lamborghini and Bentley) they will overtake Toyota as the world's largest car company.
Porsche and VW have always been linked. From Ferdinand Porsche making the VW Beetle in Nazi Germany, after founding Porsche, to today, VW is Porsche's majority parts supplier. For the last 3.5 years Porsche has been attempting to buy VW. But it seems like a case of a fish trying to shallow something too big, after 3.5 years unsuccessful, the $12billion debt burden is just too much, and Porsche will likely fold into VW.
Personally, I prefer seeing VW at #1 instead of Toyota. VAG actually brings products that are inspired, instead of the lifeless Asain doorslammers... While it many seem like VW's aren't that popular here, they're everywhere else. Though this does mean that GM will slip to 3rd

Gotta agree on the Asian cars. They haven't done anything to get excited over in years.

 

[stdreb27]

except my last honda lasted 250k miles, before I sold it, and my last 2 domestics have lasted less than 250k before they died.

 

[kjr_trig]

Wow that is shocking! Where are VW's selling?? It sure as heck isn't in the U.S., they don't even crack the top 10 here. Premium brands BMW and Mercedes are even outselling them here (Mercedes just by a few 1000). Toyota outsells them almost 10 to 1 here. Must be a lot of 3rd world countries with a lot of VW's as taxi's. I would own a Kia before I would own a VW, no offense to anyone that likes them. "German Engineering" HA!!

 

[kjr_trig]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3170755
Personally, I prefer seeing VW at #1 instead of Toyota. VAG actually brings products that are inspired, instead of the lifeless Asain doorslammers... While it many seem like VW's aren't that popular here, they're everywhere else. Though this does mean that GM will slip to 3rd

Kind of surprised you would say that. It seems to me VW has been a few years behind the Japanese. About 5 years ago, Nissan, Toyato, Honda all made their flagship sedans a little bit bigger (Maxima/Altima, Camry, Accord), and saw increased sales. VW finally jumped on the bandwagon and did the same with Passat and Jetta, what last year? Would you really rather have a Passat than a Maxima??
As far as reliability, the Asians still dominate. At least VW beat out BMW and Mecedes, but still didn't crack the top half.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/busi...nclick_check=1

 

[zappbrannigan]

Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/3170849
Wow that is shocking! Where are VW's selling?? It sure as heck isn't in the U.S., they don't even crack the top 10 here. Premium brands BMW and Mercedes are even outselling them here (Mercedes just by a few 1000). Toyota outsells them almost 10 to 1 here. Must be a lot of 3rd world countries with a lot of VW's as taxi's. I would own a Kia before I would own a VW, no offense to anyone that likes them. "German Engineering" HA!!

ha, here in china almost every taxi is a VW. Audi BMW and Mercedes are very common too, not as taxis of course. Me myself i drive a ford focus. (but hey its a hatchback) always looked down upon by chinese drivers as a low class car.

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3170838
except my last honda lasted 250k miles, before I sold it, and my last 2 domestics have lasted less than 250k before they died.
Again, reread what we said. Products that are inspired by design, and are exciting. What Honda competes with a VW R32? Or an Audi RS6?
Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/3170849
Wow that is shocking! Where are VW's selling?? It sure as heck isn't in the U.S., they don't even crack the top 10 here. Premium brands BMW and Mercedes are even outselling them here (Mercedes just by a few 1000). Toyota outsells them almost 10 to 1 here. Must be a lot of 3rd world countries with a lot of VW's as taxi's. I would own a Kia before I would own a VW, no offense to anyone that likes them. "German Engineering" HA!!

They have a serious grip on the small car market everywhere else with cars they don't sell here. Lupo's, Polo's, Fox's.
Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/3170874
Kind of surprised you would say that. It seems to me VW has been a few years behind the Japanese. About 5 years ago, Nissan, Toyato, Honda all made their flagship sedans a little bit bigger (Maxima/Altima, Camry, Accord), and saw increased sales. VW finally jumped on the bandwagon and did the same with Passat and Jetta, what last year? Would you really rather have a Passat than a Maxima??
As far as reliability, the Asians still dominate. At least VW beat out BMW and Mecedes, but still didn't crack the top half.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/busi...nclick_check=1
I definitely would take the new Passat CC over a Maxima

. Or used, I would love to have a Passat W8, 6-speed manual, with 4-Motion. A thoroughly stout drivers car.
Both the Passat and Jetta was overhauled in MY 2005, which are still the current models. There will be a new Jetta next year though. Yea, the Passat is definitely smaller then the Camry, but the trade off is the top-notch ******** you get.

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3171013
Yea, the Passat is definitely smaller then the Camry, but the trade off is the top-notch ******** you get.
Lets not forget the expensive repair bills. I have 2 friends (husband and wife) that both have VW's. I think one has a Jetta and the other a Passat. Both needed new engines after just a few years of ownership.

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3171018
Lets not forget the expensive repair bills. I have 2 friends (husband and wife) that both have VW's. I think one has a Jetta and the other a Passat. Both needed new engines after just a few years of ownership.
Were they used purchases? If manufacture warranties cover anything, it's almost always powertrain.

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3171029
Were they used purchases? If manufacture warranties cover anything, it's almost always powertrain.
I know that my buddy bought one of them new then had it replaced under the lemon law after he had major powertrain issues after just a few months. His replacement needed the engine replaced after the warranty on that one was up. I think his wife's was a used purchase.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3171013
Again, reread what we said. Products that are inspired by design, and are exciting. What Honda competes with a VW R32? Or an Audi RS6?
Screw that, just give me a car that I don't have to work on every weekend.
But seriously, my civic would smoke an R32. It is just a hatch. and well, what ford or chevy competes with an audi? If you like hoity toity stuff. It is apples and orages.

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3171082
Screw that, just give me a car that I don't have to work on every weekend.
This statement is pretty true of most of the US new car buyers market. We gobble up 4-cylinder Camrys, Accords, Corollas, and Civics like no tomorrow. All of which, are terribly boring to drive.
Though, through all of this, gas prices spike, the recession, the #1 and #2 selling vehicles in the country are the F-150 and Silverado.
Though, I can't imagine any new car, even a performance oriented cars, you have to work on very much these days....
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3171082
But seriously, my civic would smoke an R32. It is just a hatch. .
In what, resale value? In performance tests, there's no comparsion. Though Honda does make an interesting hatch, the Civic Type-R, which is not sold Stateside.
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/3171082
and well, what ford or chevy competes with an audi? If you like hoity toity stuff. It is apples and orages.
The Cadillac's compete directly with Audi. The CTS slots inbetween the A4 and A6, and the STS slots inbetween the A6 and A8. Sometimes Cadillac has an advantage, such as the CTS-V being loads better then the RS4, but loses some such as the STS-V compared to the S6/RS6. The Escalade and Audi Q7 as well, the new SRX and the Q5...

 

[kjr_trig]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3171013
I definitely would take the new Passat CC over a Maxima

. Or used, I would love to have a Passat W8, 6-speed manual, with 4-Motion. A thoroughly stout drivers car.
Both the Passat and Jetta was overhauled in MY 2005, which are still the current models. There will be a new Jetta next year though. Yea, the Passat is definitely smaller then the Camry, but the trade off is the top-notch ******** you get.
Maxima is still nicer inside IMO, I don't care for Camry, but it one heck of a reliable car. The 4Motion CC is nice and the best looking car in the history of VW IMO, but a "drivers car", I wouldn't go that far. 0-60 in 6.2 doesn't exactly get me excited. I can live with AWD, but prefer RWD in a sport sedan.
VW's seem to be just horrible as far as little things going wrong, that is why I'm anti, or course my wife does drive a Chrslyer, thus making me a hypocrite

We can talk about the Phaeton, the biggest joke in the history of Luxary cars. Did VW really think people would buy a $90,000 VW when you can get a BMW 7 series?

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/3171093
Maxima is still nicer inside IMO, I don't care for Camry, but it one heck of a reliable car. The 4Motion CC is nice and the best looking car in the history of VW IMO, but a "drivers car", I wouldn't go that far. 0-60 in 6.2 doesn't exactly get me excited. I can live with AWD, but prefer RWD in a sport sedan.
We can talk about the Phaeton, the biggest joke in the history of Luxary cars. Did VW really think people would buy a $90,000 VW when you can get a BMW 7 series?

The problem with Nissan interiors, is the materials. They give 90's era Pontiacs a run for their money. Yea, definitely just referring to the Passat W8 as a driver's car. Though there's more then just straight line numbers that go into a performance car. Sound (the W8 engine) and feel, working a true manual gearbox, a dying bred.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ygtAzz9yhw
Yea, the Phaeton was definitely a bad flop.

 

[kjr_trig]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3171090
The Cadillac's compete directly with Audi. The CTS slots inbetween the A4 and A6, and the STS slots inbetween the A6 and A8. Sometimes Cadillac has an advantage, such as the CTS-V being loads better then the RS4, but loses some such as the STS-V compared to the S6/RS6. The Escalade and Audi Q7 as well, the new SRX and the Q5...
I don't know about that AK, I see Audi's all over Scottsdale, which is a very "status symbol" place. Cadillac has a loyal following, but I think Audi would consider BMW, Mercedes, and even Lexus and Infiniti their competition, not so much Cadillac. SUV's perhaps, but not in cars. Not saying Audi is better (but they do make great cars), just a little more "uppity" IMO.
The CTS-V is silly, as you and I have discussed. Audi has nothing very comparable, BMW and AMG Mecedes for sure do, but Audi, no chance.

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/3171105
I don't know about that AK, I see Audi's all over Scottsdale, which is a very "status symbol" place. Cadillac has a loyal following, but I think Audi would consider BMW, Mercedes, and even Lexus and Infiniti their competition, not so much Cadillac. SUV's perhaps, but not in cars. Not saying Audi is better (but they do make great cars), just a little more "uppity" IMO.
The CTS-V is silly, as you and I have discussed. Audi has nothing very comparable, BMW and AMG Mecedes for sure do, but Audi, no chance.
I think the average Audi buyer, who isn't a VAG loyalist who got a nice new job, are people looking for something else to the Big 3, BMW, Merc, Lexus. Infiniti competes well in the small car with their G, but the M is a bit behind, and the Q is discontinued. The Lexus LS and Audi A8 I feel are probably the closest, basically attracted people not into the 2 standards of the industry, the S-Class or 7-series. And the A4 certainly has clawed a fair share of market. Agreed though on the AWD vs. RWD.
I think the CTS and Escalade have bought more people back into Cadillac. When the new XLS flagship, and CTS coupe, it should be bring Cadillac back competitive with the 4 cars, CTS/XLS/SRX/Scade.

 

[kjr_trig]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3171103
The problem with Nissan interiors, is the materials. They give 90's era Pontiacs a run for their money. Yea, definitely just referring to the Passat W8 as a driver's car. Though there's more then just straight line numbers that go into a performance car. Sound (the W8 engine) and feel, working a true manual gearbox, a dying bred.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ygtAzz9yhw
Yea, the Phaeton was definitely a bad flop.
ok, help me out, I watched it at work with no volume, they are claiming 280 kmh, which is about 170 mph.....no way, even VW's website says it tops out at 130.

 

[aquaknight]

I'm not sure on that 130mph number. I do see it searching, but finding more 155mph limiter. I believe it has to do with the tires. The W8 is available with a "Sports" option which does include better tires. So the standard W8 might be 130mph, as it might only have H-rated tires, where as the "Sports" W8s might come with Z-rated tires. That's how it is with my STS. The standard STS has H-rated tires and only a 136mph limiter, where mine has the Z-rated option and a 155mph limiter

.
Which is obviously still short of 170mph. The answer is that the car's are electronically limited. All you have to do is mod, or "chip" the car's computer, which are extremely popular to do on VW's. My Cadillac makes about 30 more horsepower then a W8, but punches a much larger hole in the air, and weighs more, and will reach 155mph. The chipped W8, that's making a bit more HP then stock should been able to reach 170 on the Autobahn.

 

[dragonzim]

Sorry man, but the Cadillac is not a direct competitor of an Audi. Maybe pricewise and performance wise, but Audi buyers are looking for status and you just dont get that with a Caddy...

 

[kjr_trig]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/3171299
I'm not sure on that 130mph number. I do see it searching, but finding more 155mph limiter. I believe it has to do with the tires. The W8 is available with a "Sports" option which does include better tires. So the standard W8 might be 130mph, as it might only have H-rated tires, where as the "Sports" W8s might come with Z-rated tires. That's how it is with my STS. The standard STS has H-rated tires and only a 136mph limiter, where mine has the Z-rated option and a 155mph limiter

.
Which is obviously still short of 170mph. The answer is that the car's are electronically limited. All you have to do is mod, or "chip" the car's computer, which are extremely popular to do on VW's. My Cadillac makes about 30 more horsepower then a W8, but punches a much larger hole in the air, and weighs more, and will reach 155mph. The chipped W8, that's making a bit more HP then stock should been able to reach 170 on the Autobahn.
Go to the VW site and click on "build your CC" or whatever, you can do any of the four models....Tires or no tires, I don't even think a Lotus will do 170mph if it had a 280 horsepower, let alone one of those that weighs 3,800 lbs.
Tires and a chip?!?!? C'mon. That simply won't get that car to 170. A 505 hp M5 would barely do that if you removed the restrictor, that would have to be a very special car from VW racing or something.