Thursday, May 18, 2006

Models Culled from Volkswagen UK Lineup

Text from Auto Express.
Dozens of Volkswagen models are being given the chop from the firm's product list in a bid to save cash and reorganise the line-up.

The German giant has dropped the cars to simplify its range. The firm had more than 10,000 different build combinations available within its line-up - a situation that VW admits was 'too complicated'. Now bosses have taken action and axed unpopular colours and trims.

Entire spec levels are set to be withdrawn from sale as well. "The move only affects cars where there is an extremely low take-up," said a company spokeswoman.

Models that have bitten the bullet include some 1.4-litre petrol and diesel Polos, three-door Golf SEs and 2.0-litre 150bhp Tourans. Trims and colours will be dropped from the Phaeton, Beetle, Passat and Sharan lines.

Existing owners looking for repairs to these models won't be affected by the cuts, promises the firm. "The supply and availability of parts for these cars won't change," said the spokeswoman. New or updated vehicles, such as the Fox, Eos, Jetta and Touareg, are not included in the cull.

Meanwhile, cost cutting at Daihatsu has halved the average price of 15,000 genuine parts. Spark plugs, oil pumps, door handles and front wings are all included in the new deals. Owners of the firm's older Fourtrak, Cuore, Charade, Move or Applause models will benefit most.

VW's fallen fleet:
Polo: 1.2 petrol SE, 1.4 petrol S, SE and Sport, 1.4 TDI E, S, SE and Sport, 1.9 TDI 130 Sport.
Golf: 1.4 petrol S, 1.4 FSI S, 1.6 petrol Sport, 2.0 FSI GT (plus 4MOTION), 1.9 TDI 105 Sport DSG, all 3dr SE models.
Golf Plus: 1.4 petrol S, 1.6 and 1.9 petrol Sport, 2.0 FSI GT, 2.0 TDI GT.
Touran: 2.0 FSI 150 SE and Sport trims.
Passat saloon and estate: 1.6 petrol S and SE trims, 2.0 and 3.2 petrol Sport trim, 2.0 petrol SEL.
Phaeton: 4.2 V8 petrol SWB, 6.0 W12 petrol SWB, V10 TDI SWB, luxury four-seater option deleted on all models.