Volkswagen AG have given up on the idea of building a single model to sell around the world. CEO Martin Winterkorn declares the world car “dead and buried” because of differing regional needs and tastes. Numerous automakers have failed spectacularly in chasing the concept; Ford’s $6b 1995 Mondeo compact car is one example. But many automakers have successfully sold particular models worldwide with only minor local variants; most of Mercedes’ and BMW’s ranges are available worldwide, for example, and Volvo’s 240-series was quite popular globally for 19 years — not to mention VW’s own long-running global success with the Golf. Winterkorn says VW will release 20 new models over the next three years to boost worldwide volume to a record 8 million vehicles by 2011, from 6.2 million last year, as
a step toward VW’s goal of outselling rival Toyota by 2018. Winterkorn declines to reject additional acquisitions, and says VW may add a 10th brand to its corporate roster.
a step toward VW’s goal of outselling rival Toyota by 2018. Winterkorn declines to reject additional acquisitions, and says VW may add a 10th brand to its corporate roster.
VW officials also say they will decide by this summer whether and where to build a North American assembly plant. If approved, the factory is expected to open in two to three years with initial annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
