ZBBYLW From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 1821 posts, RR: 8 Posted (3 years 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 452 times:
Hello all...
First i would like to say i have been lurking on this site without a membership for quite some time now, and finally decided to pay the 25 USD to get in, thus this is my first post on the site.
Down to business. I have been a German car enthusiast for quite some time now. My first car 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T has treated me well for the year that i have had it. Therefor yes it has been made in Mexico. I am curious why is VW deciding to make the cars in Germany again rather the Mexico. I understand that the build quality of a German built car has its advantages of that of a Mexican Equivalent. But VW has always been known for the cheap German car, getting the car built in Mexico and shipped up should be alot cheaper. I really did want to get something else like 2000ish 323Ci or an Audi A4 1.8T (i think the Audi's are actually built in Belgium someone please correct me) but the price of the VW attracted me to it over its counterparts. So why does VW return to germany (not that im complaining) is it cheaper for the company to build better cars and not worry so much over the warrenty or is it just so they can say its built in germany rather then as the commercials used to say german engernered.
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (3 years 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 444 times:
First of all, welcome to A.net! Now, down to business...
Quoting ZBBYLW (Thread starter): Therefor yes it has been made in Mexico. I am curious why is VW deciding to make the cars in Germany again rather the Mexico.
Certain models for the North American market have been built in Mexico for quite some time, and as far as I know, VW has no plans to change that. Some models for NA (like the Touareg) are made in Germany, and any VW you buy in Europe is built there as well.
Quoting ZBBYLW (Thread starter): So why does VW return to germany (not that im complaining)
As I've said above, VWs for Europe have always been built in Germany, and certain models for North America have been built in Mexico for quite some time with no plans to move.
Quoting ZBBYLW (Thread starter): I understand that the build quality of a German built car has its advantages of that of a Mexican Equivalent
VWs decision to be in Mexico has more to do with shipping and cheap labor than anything else. And while Meixco is considered a third-world country, VW has certain standards that are maintained in each of their facilities. Quite frankly, engineering has a far more significant bearing on reliability than assembly.
Quoting ZBBYLW (Thread starter): (i think the Audi's are actually built in Belgium someone please correct me)
I'd be happy to correct you. Audi's final assembly plant is in Ingoldstadt, Germany.
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
ZBBYLW From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 1821 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (3 years 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 440 times:
Thanks for the quick reply, I understand that they were built in Mexico for a while. However i hear that the new Rabbit's and the Mark V Jetta's will be built in Germany is there any truth to this?
2H4 From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8079 posts, RR: 64 Reply 7, posted (3 years 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 417 times:
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Quoting ZBBYLW (Reply 3): However i hear that the new Rabbit's and the Mark V Jetta's will be built in Germany is there any truth to this?
The Mark V GTIs are built in Wolfsburg, Germany. The Mark V Jettas are built in Mexico. I'm not sure about the Rabbit.....but I believe it's also built in Germany.
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (3 years 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 407 times:
Quoting 2H4 (Reply 7): The Mark V GTIs are built in Wolfsburg, Germany. The Mark V Jettas are built in Mexico. I'm not sure about the Rabbit.....but I believe it's also built in Germany.
Yep, I stand corrected. The Rabbits and GTIs for the NA market are built in Germany while the new Jetta is still built in Mexico. My guess would be that they don't sell enough hatchbacks in NA to justify a second assembly line.
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
2H4 From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8079 posts, RR: 64 Reply 10, posted (3 years 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 401 times:
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Quoting AC773 (Reply 8): My guess would be that they don't sell enough hatchbacks in NA to justify a second assembly line.
I think you're right. For some reason, the US doesn't like hatchbacks very much unless they're eighteen feet long, and mounted on four-wheel-drive, eight-cylinder drivetrains.
ZBBYLW From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 1821 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 339 times:
Quoting 2H4 (Reply 7): The Mark V GTIs are built in Wolfsburg, Germany. The Mark V Jettas are built in Mexico. I'm not sure about the Rabbit.....but I believe it's also built in Germany.
Excellent thanks for clearing this up.
Quoting 2H4 (Reply 10): For some reason, the US doesn't like hatchbacks very much unless they're eighteen feet long, and mounted on four-wheel-drive, eight-cylinder drivetrains.
This is sad but true, unfortunately everyone thinks that they should drive these monstrosities of cars that hog the road and guzzle fuel, for those that needs these vehicles for work all the more power to you. But for those that feel they want to sit up high and ride a truck shame on you. I feel safer driving in a car that handles decently then something thing will drive threw anything but will not be able to react quickly, keep in mind alot of this also depends on the driver being alert. But we live in a free environment so they can drive what ever they want, hopefully if the price of fuel keeps going up some of these bigger cars and trucks will start to disappear.
Also has VW ever thought of making a Jetta for the NA market that is made in Germany, they have had the "Wolfsburg" Edition out here but its still made in Mexico. The German spec "Bora's" are alot nicer with fog flights and other minor differenes, would this ever become a possibility?
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 335 times:
Quoting ZBBYLW (Reply 11): Also has VW ever thought of making a Jetta for the NA market that is made in Germany
VW produces Jettas for the NA market in Mexico purely for economic and logistical reasons. You're not getting a different or somehow "inferior" product just because it's put together south of the border.
Quoting ZBBYLW (Reply 11): they have had the "Wolfsburg" Edition out here but its still made in Mexico.
The Wolfsburg edition is simply a trim level and has no influence over the point of assembly.
Quoting ZBBYLW (Reply 11): The German spec "Bora's" are alot nicer with fog flights and other minor differenes, would this ever become a possibility?
Euro-market VWs (and Euro-market cars in general) have some different option sets and trim levels, but it's only because they're catering to a different customer base. Theoretically there's nothing stopping VW from offering the same stuff in NA, but clearly there are some significant financial reasons unbeknownst to me that lead to their decision.
Another thing to consider is that while most new cars in North America are sold as-is on the lot, most new cars in Europe are custom-ordered. Manufacturers selling automobiles in the US have to tailor their options list to accomodate a broader range of customers yet Europe has no such restriction. For example, it's not uncommon to have 6 or more engine choices in Europe for any given model.
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
FlyMIA From United States, joined Jun 2001, 3843 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 313 times:
Quoting AC773 (Reply 1): Some models for NA (like the Touareg) are made in Germany, and any VW you buy in Europe is built there as well.
Quoting Texasaggie (Reply 6): I'm pretty sure the Touareg are made in Slovakia.
The assembly plant is in Slovakia it is shared with the Cayenne and Q7. Most of the car is built in the assembly plant in Slovakia.
Final assembly is in Germany I am not sure how much is built in Germany, if its just the windshield or all the electronics are installed I have no idea.
Quoting AC773 (Reply 12): but clearly there are some significant financial reasons unbeknownst to me that lead to their decision.
I think it is because people dont want to spend alot of money on a VW with the exception of the Touareg. The Phaeton did horrible even though it is a great car, But $65,000 for a VW sedan? Most people in the US say no to that. But the Touareg is doing pretty good with a starting price of $37,000 going up to $70,000 for the V10TDI which was brought back to North American and the new 350hp V8 FSI! WOW!
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 305 times:
Quoting FlyMIA (Reply 13): I think it is because people dont want to spend alot of money on a VW
Actually, the Phaeton is offered in this country. I was referring to certain options and option packages available only to the European market on models sold in the US.
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
ZBBYLW From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 1821 posts, RR: 8 Reply 15, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 300 times:
Quoting AC773 (Reply 12): The Wolfsburg edition is simply a trim level and has no influence over the point of assembly.
I understand this, however was there ever a thought in making a special edition model in German. Lets me honest people who know a bit more about cars then your average Joe would prefer a German made car vs a Mexican made car. The price for this special addition can be higher but some people would pay for the fact that it would be a Bora rather then a Jetta. But i do understand your points, where if you were going to spend X amount more then a Mexican made car you probably can afford to may an extra few grand for an Audi or equivelent. It was just a tought, and i thought it could be a good idea.
LOT767-300ER From Poland, joined Jan 2001, 8139 posts, RR: 39 Reply 16, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 295 times:
Quoting AC773 (Reply 14): Actually, the Phaeton is offered in this country. I was referring to certain options and option packages available only to the European market on models sold in the US.
He knows its offered in the USA, he stated that it sucked in the US market...which it did.
QB001 From Canada, joined Apr 2000, 2050 posts, RR: 5 Reply 18, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 274 times:
I'm just about to get a new car - actually I'm getting it tonight (Acura CSX Premium for those who wonder).
In the process of buying my new car, I went and test-drove many models. One of them was the VW passat 2007. Truth be told : I was impressed. So much so that I gave a call to the APA, thinking about buying this car.
In short, their recommendation is : put as much distance between you and any VW car as you can. Unless you don't mind spending many hours in a repair shop, especially when the car is going to be older than 4 years.
VW cars : great to drive, but totally unreliable.
Never let the facts get in the way of a good theory.
AC773 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 1730 posts, RR: 8 Reply 19, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 271 times:
Quoting QB001 (Reply 18): I'm just about to get a new car - actually I'm getting it tonight (Acura CSX Premium for those who wonder).
Sweet! You can't go wrong with a Honda product.
Quoting QB001 (Reply 18): VW cars : great to drive, but totally unreliable.
I've heard of good and bad experiences, and I think it depends on the model; among other things. The Touareg, for example, had tons of cases of "depreciation on the lot". Things would fail, especially with the electrics, while the car was just sitting there waiting to be sold. On the other hand, plenty of Golf/Jetta drivers will tell you of their fantastic experiences and lack of electrical or other failure.
Again, it all depends. Model and model year are the two big ones I can think of.
Better to be nouveau than never to have been riche at all.
Columba From Germany, joined Dec 2004, 5598 posts, RR: 5 Reply 20, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 271 times:
Quoting AC773 (Reply 8): The Rabbits and GTIs for the NA market are built in Germany while the new Jetta is still built in Mexico. My guess would be that they don't sell enough hatchbacks in NA to justify a second assembly line.
The Rabbit is just the name of the Golf for the NA market. The GTI is the sport version of the Golf.
Golf/Rabbit are the hatchback versions of the Jetta/Bora. They are basically the same car. The Jetta is not that popular in Europe as it is in the States.
Notchback cars are considered "white-bread" and square in Europe so it is completely different to the American market where the hatchbacks are not that popular.
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
2H4 From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8079 posts, RR: 64 Reply 21, posted (3 years 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 263 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW DATABASE EDITOR
Quoting QB001 (Reply 18): VW cars : great to drive, but totally unreliable.
I don't think that's very accurate. As noted, there are flawless VWs, and there are problematic VWs...but you rarely hear of the problematic VWs actually leaving people stranded. If the car has problems, it's usually non-critical things like power window switches and light bulbs that fail.
That doesn't excuse VW for falling short in refinement on those cars...it's pretty ridiculous, if you ask me. I just think the problematic VWs are better described as 'quirky' rather than 'unreliable'.
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