You are here: Forums Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

8691 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 1:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, smart fortwo, MINI Cooper

#8383 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [steve_] by ateixeira Apr 28, 2009 (6:55 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Apr 27, 2009 6:53 pm) That makes sense to me, because the Polo would just be priced way too close to the current Rabbit. Maybe a grand less, if that. Replies to this message: steve_ (Apr 28, 2009 7:00 am) ateixeira (Apr 28, 2009 7:14 am) nippononly (Apr 28, 2009 7:32 am) and 3 more...
#8384 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [ateixeira] by steve_ HOST Apr 28, 2009 (7:00 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 28, 2009 6:55 am) With those side view mirrors, VW should call it the Shrek.   Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 28, 2009 7:14 am) nippononly (Apr 28, 2009 7:32 am) ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:53 am) and 2 more...
#8385 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [steve_] by ateixeira Apr 28, 2009 (7:14 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Apr 28, 2009 7:00 am) Good one.   I think it might be easier to market than the Polo, though. Less overlap with the Rabbit. It would steal fewer sales and bring a different set of buyers to the brand. Replies to this message: nippononly (Apr 28, 2009 7:32 am) ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:53 am) kyfdx (Apr 29, 2009 10:57 am) nippononly (Apr 29, 2009 3:17 pm)
#8386 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [ateixeira] by nippononly Apr 28, 2009 (7:32 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 28, 2009 7:14 am) Rabbit is going back to being called Golf, and heading upmarket though, isn't it? I would think there would be room for all three in the market - these microcars like Up! are popular, but only within a fairly narrow niche. They are mostly city cars. Polo could go head to head with something like Fit, with Golf priced higher if it is truly heading upmarket again as I have read. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:53 am) kyfdx (Apr 29, 2009 10:57 am) nippononly (Apr 29, 2009 3:17 pm)
#8387 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [steve_] by qbrozen Apr 28, 2009 (7:42 am)
Replying to: steve_ (Apr 27, 2009 6:53 pm) bah. The UP has no appeal to me now that they nixed the rear-engine idea.
#8388 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [nippononly] by ateixeira Apr 29, 2009 (10:53 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Apr 28, 2009 7:32 am) I guess so.   They definitely have to kill the $14,990 pricing on those bare-bones Rabbits, though.   Drop the base model entirely and have those start at $18k, then offer the Polo for $15k.   I'm still not convinced they'll do significantly more volume than the current Rabbit does now, though.   Bring that cool little super-turbo 1.4l engine and offer a model with that for $18k or so. Then they could earn the bang-for-the-buck crown. That could create a halo for other Polo models.   I still wonder if they can produce them cheaply enough. Maybe assemble them in Mexico. Replies to this message: kyfdx (Apr 29, 2009 10:57 am) nippononly (Apr 29, 2009 3:17 pm)
#8389 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [ateixeira] by kyfdx HOST Apr 29, 2009 (10:57 am)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:53 am) I bet the Polo never happens for the US...
#8390 of 8691 Re: cheap and cheerful [ateixeira] by nippononly Apr 29, 2009 (3:17 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 29, 2009 10:53 am) Well there's no doubt in my mind that all VWs under $25K including Polo will be built in Mexico (or points south) from now on. If they ever manage to get the new plant built in the U.S., I am sure it will build Passats and one of the crossovers.   I hope the Polo DOES make it here.
#8391 of 8691 VW Golf and Polo by igozoomzoom Apr 29, 2009 (3:22 pm)
The argument that the Polo and Golf are too close in price (and size) doesn't seem logical to me. There were quite a few folks who said the same thing about the Honda Fit being to similar to the Civic. Yet the Fit has been a runaway hit and Civic sales have remained very healthy, too.   A lot of people tend to look at the Jetta as being more upscale than the Golf/Rabbit. In reality, they're the same basic car. The Jetta is offered in more trim levels with more features than the Rabbit/Golf, but the Polo would allow the Golf to move upmarket. The Rabbit 3-door was a loss-leader for VW, priced $2000 lower than the 5-door.   There's room (and demand) for a Golf comparable to the Jetta SE and/or SEL. The Mazda3 5-door is proof that there's a market for premium compacts well in to the $24k+ range. A $15k Polo and $18k-up Golf would co-exist quite well, IMO. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 30, 2009 8:24 am)
#8392 of 8691 How long would you wait? by steve_ HOST Apr 29, 2009 (5:00 pm)
Tata Nano So Popular It Could Take Years for Customers To Get Cars (Straightline)

You are here: Forums Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?