Yeah VW Purist always complain about changes...
Well here's the point of view from the VW America Brand Manager -
http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1433/2?play
They want a bigger share of the US market. Its clearly been shown to them that most Americans are not willing to pay a bit more for higher quality materials and luxury items usually found on entry level luxury cars.
Sorry but they'll just buy an Audi/BMW/Benz.
They (Americans) won't miss the more precise handling. Honda purist complained about that starting with the 4th gen Civic when they went from a-arm to strut suspension.
With declining wages for almost 30 years, rampant poverty, high unemployment with no end in sight.... For all we know we could be in at the start of a lost decade like Japan is still experiencing, little to no to negative growth.
VW already made steps in this direction. They moved production from Germany to Mexico in the 80's to save money. Quality went down as a result. In an effort to improve quality but keep production cost low, they are going to build cars in Chattanooga, TN.
The snob appeal of VW will be gone very soon. This is brand of upwardly mobile people college degrees and all. You don't sell millions and millions of cars being true to that market, which is fleeting at best they could easily buy Volvo's, Benz' and BMW for a much as a fully loaded GLI or TDI runs. Not to mention several domestic cars. Just because most of you hear have choose not to support the US car makers which is deserved in some cases, that does not mean companies like Ford are building inferior product.