Want to know a car company that is aiming high in terms of sales? Want to know one that is aiming really, really high? Even higher? Think Volkswagen. VW has said they want to increase their North American business by huges amounts over the next 5 years (sorry, I should have numbers). Take a look at their new Passat........
......nice styling and several thousand dollars less than the current model. The latter makes sense since the top line AWD wagon in 2010 listed for over $53,000!!. What were they thinking? You could get an A4 wagon for a similar price, actually just under $50k - now that makes no sense.
And for that nice, but anonymous styling, Acura's 1999 TL had similar lines - 12 years ago! Wait until you see the back end - you'd never know what kind of car it is, it's so bland. Not unlike the latest Jetta. Can't VW have a bit more definition in their styling?
How will it sell? Now there is an interesting question. The latest Jetta using the same strategy has done very well, but then again the Jetta had a reputation. Who buys Passats? Even the recent and quite lovely CC has been nailed to the showroom floors. I like VW and deliver quite a few of them, but come on, get a bit creative.
Weekend racing........how about the Montreal F1 race on Sunday? Add a little rain to any race and it gets very interesting. I watched for about 1/2 hour, but got bored watching the SLS glide around the circuit in the rain, so I went out for a couple of hours. Came back home, turned on the TV to catch the end of the NASCAR race from Pocono and guess what, the F1 race was just restarting. Vettel seldoms blinks, but with Button hot on his tail, he did blink with about a 1/2 lap to go. Button made quick work of Vettel's miscue and luckily squeaked in his win before the time limit ran out, but it was very, very close.
Pocono was nothing exciting, except my favorite Dale Jr continues to be consistent, finishing 6th.
Speaking of NASCAR, I'm reading an interesting (and very short) book by Michael Waltrip, called "In the Blink of an Eye". It deals with Michael's career, but the focus is Dale Earnhardt senior's death "in the blink of an eye" on the last turn of the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. I cried when it happened and I shed another tear last night when I got to the part......well, you know.
By the way, did you notice the advertising for Michael's book on his Ferrari racecar at LeMans on the weekend?
Until next time........
......nice styling and several thousand dollars less than the current model. The latter makes sense since the top line AWD wagon in 2010 listed for over $53,000!!. What were they thinking? You could get an A4 wagon for a similar price, actually just under $50k - now that makes no sense.
And for that nice, but anonymous styling, Acura's 1999 TL had similar lines - 12 years ago! Wait until you see the back end - you'd never know what kind of car it is, it's so bland. Not unlike the latest Jetta. Can't VW have a bit more definition in their styling?
How will it sell? Now there is an interesting question. The latest Jetta using the same strategy has done very well, but then again the Jetta had a reputation. Who buys Passats? Even the recent and quite lovely CC has been nailed to the showroom floors. I like VW and deliver quite a few of them, but come on, get a bit creative.
Weekend racing........how about the Montreal F1 race on Sunday? Add a little rain to any race and it gets very interesting. I watched for about 1/2 hour, but got bored watching the SLS glide around the circuit in the rain, so I went out for a couple of hours. Came back home, turned on the TV to catch the end of the NASCAR race from Pocono and guess what, the F1 race was just restarting. Vettel seldoms blinks, but with Button hot on his tail, he did blink with about a 1/2 lap to go. Button made quick work of Vettel's miscue and luckily squeaked in his win before the time limit ran out, but it was very, very close.
Pocono was nothing exciting, except my favorite Dale Jr continues to be consistent, finishing 6th.
Speaking of NASCAR, I'm reading an interesting (and very short) book by Michael Waltrip, called "In the Blink of an Eye". It deals with Michael's career, but the focus is Dale Earnhardt senior's death "in the blink of an eye" on the last turn of the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. I cried when it happened and I shed another tear last night when I got to the part......well, you know.
By the way, did you notice the advertising for Michael's book on his Ferrari racecar at LeMans on the weekend?
Until next time........
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