Horn: VW Phaeton To Return To US In 2018
In an interview with Bloomberg at the 2014 New York Auto Show, Volkswagen America CEO Michael Horn says the Phaeton will return to the United States market as early as 2018.
Autoblog reports the full-size luxury sedan — which last sold in 2006 on our shores — has been under consideration by the automaker for a return sometime between 2018 and 2019. No word has been given on whether or not the 2018 Phaeton will be underpinned by the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, as it was the last time the sedan was sold.
Whether the return will be marred once more by customers scoffing at the idea of paying Audi-A8 money for a VW badge depends on what Horn does to improve dealer relationships, which are strained between the automaker and the network as of late. Currently, both sides are in negotiations regarding improvements to bonuses, marketing and other issues in the hope narrowing the “great distance” between the two parties.
Comments
Join the conversation
Great. They bring back the Phateon but kill the Bluesport midengine sport car.
I'd be more impressed if VW was bringing us the the GTD Golf of the that hi-PO Golf I saw recently.
The problem with the Phaeton was that: 1. looked too much like an oversized Passat; 2. priced too close to the A8 and didn't bring the VALUE equation (Toyota did that with the LS400); 3. did not offer anything other than typical VW service. This time around - probably will be priced more around the $50-60k mark and offer higher end service (loaner cars, etc.), but probably will still look like an oversized Passat.
The Phaeton was not underpinned by the Flying Spur, as the Phaeton came along years before the Flying Spur did.