Pheaton returns to the US!

[gingervette]

REPORT: VW CEO confirms Phaeton will return to America, doesn't say when

 

by Chris Tutor (RSS feed) on Aug 17th, 2009 at 10:31AM

Volkswagen Phaeton - Click above for high-res image gallery

 

At least as far back as March 2007, we were reporting that Volkswagen might bring back their range-topping and bank-draining Phaeton sedan to the States. Back then, it was the company's CEO Martin Winterkorn predicting the car's return to America, but in more recent times, we haven't heard much news about the luxury liner. Then spyshots of a re-designed 2011 Phaeton emerged in June of this year, but we speculated there was zero chance of the much-maligned model being sold here.

 

Of course, Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen of America had to prove us wrong by telling The Detroit News that yes, there will again be Phaetons sold on American VW dealers' lots. He doesn't get specific about when the luxury sedan will return (or even if it will be anything like the model American consumers already shunned), but he does say it will indeed be the range's high-end flagship once again.

 

Jacoby also lays out the brand's U.S. strategy to pretty much have something to offer in every category save perhaps amphibious vehicles. He admits additions to the German carmaker's U.S. lineup could include a Polo-sized car below the Jetta, a compact SUV to be produced next to a new midsize sedan in Chattanooga, which will be topped by another new midsize sedan "like the Avalon for Toyota."

 

 

FINALLY!!! I love this car so much. And with the lack and many "proper" luxury cars avaliable from the "Big 3", this will be a nice addition. This has to be one of the greated luxury sedans ever created. I <3 PHEATON!!!

[Samurai Lincoln]

I'm not much of a Volkswagen fan, but that is a good looking car. I'd prefer that to anything made by Audi and Mercedes.

 

BMW and Jaguar, however, are a different story.

[Baltoman]

yaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!

[Cakeflour]

Well, it's certainly the most desirable VW, but is that really saying much?

 

 

 

:cheeky:

[Car Freak]

Probably not, but the Phaeton really deserves to succeed. It's is actually a very good car, as much car as anybody looking for a big quiet limo could ever want. The only thing holding it back in Europe is the badge. People just won't pay that sort of money for a VW, no matter how good it is. Stateside though, i reckon it'll do better. Americans usually aren't such snobs when it comes to brands (just compare Lexus sales in the US and Europe during the 90s)

[gingervette]

I don't think it's about being brand-snobbish or whatever you want to call it. And I certainly don't think that Europe has the only citizens who are brand-snobbish, we have plenty of those stateside as well.

 

I don't think it has to do with people not wanting to pay a certain price for a car either.

 

When you think luxury car, the first names that comes to everyones minds is the ones that have been around forever, the legendary ones. (i.e. Merc, BMW, Audi Cadillac(in US), Lexus, and so on)

 

The Pheaton is a quality car, Volkswagen is just not the first thought people have when they think of luxury. Normally, if you want a luxurious Volkswagen, you buy an Audi.

 

I'm thrilled the Pheaton is coming to the US, I just hope more people realize how fantastic of a car it is.

[Cakeflour]

Americans as a whole don't consider VWs to be cool cars. VW is just a company that makes plain sedans and hatchbacks to the average non-petrolhead American. ;)

[Jacob]

I Actually Didnt Know They Ever Left >.>