Volkswagen of America: Full speed ahead with diesel! (Autoblog 1/18/10)

[atc98002]

There needs to be a shift, but not necessarily a major major shift. Americans would jump on board the diesel bandwagon if:

1. An enviro-nut like Al Gore proclaimed diesels as an excellent green option to gas. Actually, this is a plausible scenario if we were able to significantly ramp up biodiesel production, and manufacturers adjusted their warranties to accept 100% BD consumption.
2. Price of fuel goes up to $4, $5, maybe $6 a gallon.
3. The US adopts a new $.50/gallon tax on gas, but in order to save the economy some of the backlash from such a move, taxes on diesels are not increased.

I stopped at a BMW and Mercedes dealer today (I'm out of town and was bored). MB says no definitive word on diesel in the C-Class, but he indicated strong customer support for it. When I went next door to BMW, they only had one 335d (didn't ask about the X5). It is the same at the dealers around my house. Plenty of 328 and 335i models available, but it's almost impossible to find a 335d. And this was in California, San Diego as a matter of fact! Looks to me like the US may finally be getting the idea.

My daughter traded her Touareg in for a slightly used 2009 Jetta TDI Saturday. I figure the fuel savings alone for her will cover 6 months worth of payments per year. All it took was a test drive for her and her husband. When I saw the grin on his face when they got back to the dealer (I was watching my granddaughter for them) I knew I had another convert

 

[wolfskin]

I must wonder WHY she got the Touareg in the first place? As long as a Jetta can satisfy her needs...

One should first decide what KIND of a vehicle one needs, only then choose make and model, I think.

 

[MilenP]

Yep, and to trade in practically new Jetta (2009 model), you immediately lose lots of $$$ - IMHO

 

[mxs]

Now I grant you, this only works if you have a make and model that has good longevity combined with reasonable maintenance costs. If you acquire a vehicle with a known defect (ie: BSM) then you negotiate that repair cost into a discount on the used price so you aren't left carrying that cost. VW timing belts are costly but at 80 to 100k/km maintenance, I'd say its a reasonable cost given the economy of a TDI - I would not accept it in a gasser though.

But you are only talking about known issues. What about things being out warranty and just breaking? You as a used car owner are on the hook. It's not all rosy in the used market, especially TDIs because your buying cost is always much higher and there's less choice than in gasser world. I stay away from used precisely for that reason. People lie and have no honour nowadays, so .....

Reasonable maintenance cost is key in your argument, but you cannot guarantee that, can you?

 

[EJS]

The diesel that would worry me if I was VWOA would be one coming from Hyundai or Kia. Two (or rather one brand two badges) with a strong sales network, reputation for reliability and sold at an attractive price.

I'd add Ford to that list.........they have arguably the best mid-sized platform on the market, given a diesel option? I mean the car pretty much defines what VW is hoping to produce.

Diesel cars will never take off in the US. Also now with the focus on hybrid and electric, the diesel option is pretty much dead. I just don't think the US mindset and Diesels will ever become compatible, unless there is some major major shift.

Agree, the US consumer has been sold a bill of goods with hybrids & "green"...........add in the price of diesel fuel = fail. Reverse the taxes & get the price lower than RUG = success.

 

[firecrow]

Reasonable maintenance cost is key in your argument, but you cannot guarantee that, can you?

Granted, its a risk, but I maintain its a managed risk regardless. Properly vetting the car for damage, poor driving, accidents, etc, can be done to some extent prior to purchase so you have to be prepared to walk away. I walked away from 4 TDIs before I landed in this one. Patience and thoroughness is the key, but yes, its a risk. But a well maintained vehicle with longevity (such as a diesel, like the TDI) should lower the risk substantially.

I also would suggest that with the wiggling that VW has done and many others, the manufacturers warranty is dubious at best. When you have to fight with them over something like flywheels, balance shafts, etc (make your own list) to convince them to uphold their warranty, what is the warranty REALLY worth? So you're stuck many of these problems anyways. At least in my case I paid a used price rather than a new price.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I am just saying there is an alternate point of view on that same subject for these reasons.
​

 

[atc98002]

I must wonder WHY she got the Touareg in the first place? As long as a Jetta can satisfy her needs...

One should first decide what KIND of a vehicle one needs, only then choose make and model, I think.

When they bought the Egg, he had a BMW 328is and a very large dog . She traded her GTI for the Egg because of the dog and the fact they were expecting my first grandchild. He then (6 months or so) later traded the BMW for a Subaru Outback, so they really didn't need two big rigs anymore. The Bimmer needed repairs that made it not worth keeping anymore, or they would have stayed with it and the Egg.

 

[atc98002]

Yep, and to trade in practically new Jetta (2009 model), you immediately lose lots of $$$ - IMHO

Ah, but the Jetta is what she just bought, not what was traded in. It was a VW company car, and in excellent shape. The Egg just turned 100,000 miles, and needed some expensive maintenance. It was just time for a change.

 

[LRTDI]

Kinda back on subject. Lets pray for diesel to spread throughout the range and not limited to $25k Golfs and Jettas as well as $55k Tourags.

 

[atc98002]

Kinda back on subject. Lets pray for diesel to spread throughout the range and not limited to $25k Golfs and Jettas as well as $55k Touaregs.

Agree completely. I want a TDI A4, or maybe a C-Class. Although I will probably wait to see what VW offers from their new US plant. I want diesel and would prefer a VW. However, any German brand will probably get my money when I'm ready for a new car. Even a 330d would be fine. The 335d is just plain overkill, but it sure was fun to test drive

 

[jbright]

The 335d is just plain overkill, but it sure was fun to test drive

425 lb.-ft. of torque at 1750 rpm.

 

[BeetleGo]

When the Up! gets here, if it has a diesel engine, I'm looking. That would be the perfect city car, not to mention cool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Volkswagen_Space_Up_concept_DC.JPG

 

[firecrow]

Wow, its like a mini-cooper and a family mini-van had offspring.

 

[MilenP]

Kinda back on subject. Lets pray for diesel to spread throughout the range and not limited to $25k Golfs and Jettas as well as $55k Tourags.

......Audi A6 Avant 2.5 TDI..........................Pleeeeeease

 

[TDIMeister]

......Audi A6 Avant 2.5 TDI..........................Pleeeeeease

Turn the calendar back to the 1994-2004 generations then.

 

[El Dobro]

Wow, its like a mini-cooper and a family mini-van had offspring.

Except it looks like it got dropped on its head when it was born.

 

[Dorado]

Start sponsoring the TDIclub...

VW should start sponsoring this website - partner with tdiclub - and base its TDI marketing for the US on existing loyal customers.

Something as simple as hosting TDI gtg's at dealer lots - folks here are knowledgeable, kind, discerning, and would be happy to demo and show off their rides for a cup of coffee and a donut.

It's pretty simple - VW has customers here that know this product better than any of their marketing people.

No one believes a car salesperson or even a car ad anymore - but they will believe a satisfied customer...

 

[ultranaut]

VW should start sponsoring this website - partner with tdiclub - and base its TDI marketing for the US on existing loyal customers.

Something as simple as hosting TDI gtg's at dealer lots - folks here are knowledgeable, kind, discerning, and would be happy to demo and show off their rides for a cup of coffee and a donut.

It's pretty simple - VW has customers here that know this product better than any of their marketing people.

No one believes a car salesperson or even a car ad anymore - but they will believe a satisfied customer...

This is a brilliant idea. Having recently bought my first VW, a 2010 Golf TDI, this community sold me on the car more than any VW marketing materials.
If VW had any kind of sense or desire to be innovative they would see that TDIclub could make them a whole lot of money if they would just come here and listen to what everyone has to say. I doubt VW corporate types would go for giving money to some of its fiercest critics, even if they also happen to be the biggest fans and it would actually benefit VW profits.

 

[TornadoRed]

I seem to recall that one time, four or five years ago, someone claiming to work at the HQ of Volkswagen of America joined the TDI Club and posted a message asking for opinions.

The result was worse that Black Friday after Thanksgiving at the mall, it was a madhouse and of course nothing productive came out of it.

Yes, VWoA should have somebody monitoring TDI Club and reporting at least weekly to Stefan Jacoby himself about what is happening in the TDI community. But it would be a bad idea to have some kind of official connection between the club and the company.

 

[Damn True]

I am a previous Subaru owner. I grudgingly purchased a VW JSW because Subie remains afraid of bringing in diesels. I got tired of waiting on Subaru (and ford for that matter). If VW were to build an AWD Jetta TDI that splits the difference between a Subaru Outback/WRX in terms of performance and utility I'd trade my JSW for it toute' sweet.


Now...if the Fiat/ChryCo deal goes through and they bring in the Alfa 159 wagon.....whoo-boy!

 

[El Dobro]

I am a previous Subaru owner. I grudgingly purchased a VW JSW because Subie remains afraid of bringing in diesels. I got tired of waiting on Subaru (and ford for that matter).

You can thank the EPA for that. Subaru would only be too happy to bring the boxer diesel here.

 

[OilBurnerBob]

VW should start sponsoring this website - partner with tdiclub - and base its TDI marketing for the US on existing loyal customers.

That would be smart marketing - don't count on VOA EVER doing that!

 

[icontender]

Anyone who buys a =similar= car to what they now own but with an alternate fuel/hybrid drivetrain strictly to save money is a math retard. Unless you trade a gas guzzler for a Prius, the premium on the car will put the payback so many years/miles out that you'll likely never see it.

As for niche, I can only point to the doom-n-gloom folks who said Apple Computer would never be more than a niche player (and they are still technically correct). But what a niche. A product does not have to dominate the market or even leave a secure niche to be very profitable and successful. Wish I'd bought Apple stock during the down years.

VW just hired 2000 workers for the TN plant. Time to buy VW stock?

-dan

The diesel has a few advantages over any other car right now.
1. No emission checks (save time and $20 every year)
2. High mileage oil changes at 10K miles (break even on money, huge time saver)
3. $1300 Tax credit
4. Winter diesel blend doesn't reduce MPG by 10% like gassers do.
5. No battery technology that takes up much needed trunk space.

I could have got the 2.5 for much less but saving time is worth lots of money to me. I bill at $60/hr (60 hours at $60 = $3600). It definately worth it to me. Not to mentioned I am importing 30%-40% less oil from overseas.

Oh VKLAY (vw stock) is at a all time low. I bought it at $75 and its currently at $18 right now. Probably a smart buy right now.

 

[BeetleGo]

Oh, and don't forget that diesel can't explode if you get into an accident....

 

[kcfoxie]

Oh, and don't forget that diesel can't explode if you get into an accident....

*Unless the battery ruptures/explodes, in which case the diesel fuel could ignite and cause everyone a massive headache.

 

[primerump]

How exactly mixed your driving is and what kind of traffic is it?

30% city 70% freeway.. city is quite often stop start and less than 40 mph
max...freeway is usually 70 to 75 mph.. constant..
my average mpg for the last four years is 680 miles on 14 gallons = 48.5 mpg..
if i drive it harder at 80 mph I can get it as low as 45 mpg !!! and.. if i drive at 55-60 mph I return 52 - 54 mpg.. the car is stock and well maintained.