Volkswagen To Triple SUV Lineup In Fight Against Toyota For Total Global Sales
With Toyota still in its sights, Volkswagen plans to triple the number of SUVs in its lineup in its fight for the top sales podium among the Global Three.
Bloomberg reports the current offerings — the midsize Touareg and compact Tiguan — will soon be joined by the upcoming seven-passenger CrossBlue-based SUV that will either be assembled in Mexico or Tennessee, coupe and long-wheelbase versions of the Tiguan, the Touareg and a subcompact based on either the Taigun or T-ROC concepts. The strategy would provide VW with the opportunity to meet Toyota across the latter’s range on its way to beat the Japanese automaker in global deliveries by 2018, and would build brand strength in the United States and emerging markets such as China.
Meanwhile, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche are also moving further into the SUV market, ranging from the Cayenne and new Macan — both of which are expected to account for 64 percent of all Porsche sales by next year, according to IHS Automotive — to the Q1 in 2016 and Urus in 2017. The overall game would net Volkswagen an operating profit boost over 6 percent of sales over the current rate of 2.9 percent, as SUVs are considered to be more profitable than other vehicles.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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I think VAG is in the business of producing cars and press releases about upcoming CUVs. Seriously, this could have been a headline any day for the past 4 years.
I just said T-Roc three times outloud and, voila, a mullet grew on my head as if by magic.
They keep promising new SUVs but never deliver. In the meantime, the Touareg is still overpriced for mainstream sales, the Tiguan is way too old to sell in any significant numbers.
Checked out a Macan on Sunday at the concours. I was not impressed by the styling or the size of it (small/cramped). The door trims didn't line up properly either. There was -nobody- around it looking at it.