Why did Volkswagen Phaeton fail?

The model failed to reach its sales targets and also failed to transform VW’s brand image in the U.S. When then-Audi of America chief Axel Mees said at a 2004 press event that the Phaeton’s poor sales were due to Volkswagen “underestimating the weakness of the brand,” he was immediately sacked.

Does VW still make the Phaeton?

Phaeton production was discontinued in 2016, as Volkswagen shifted the resources of the Dresden factory toward a focus on electric vehicles. The e-Golf was assembled at the Transparent Factory from 2017 to 2020 and mass production of the ID. 3 EV began in 2021.

Is VW Phaeton a Bentley?

Unfortunately, this may not be the smartest thing to do because the Phaeton is basically a Bentley underneath; parts and labor are incredibly expensive. However, if you can stomach expensive repair bills, you could be driving one of the most over-engineered cars ever made.

What replaced VW Phaeton?

Arteon
Volkswagen releases the first official renderings of its new premium sedan, the Arteon, set to make its world debut at next spring’s Geneva auto show. This car will sit above the Passat, replacing the Phaeton, and is targeted at the executive-class offerings from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

What is Phaeton car?

A phaeton is a style of open automobile without any fixed weather protection, which was popular from the 1900s until the 1930s. Eventually, the term “phaeton” became so widely and loosely applied that almost any vehicle with two axles and a row or rows of seats across the body could be called a phaeton.

What is the most expensive VW car?

The Volkswagen Phaeton The Phaeton is Volkswagen’s $100,000+ ultra-luxury car that most people have never even heard of.

Will VW bring back the Phaeton?

How much does a Phaeton car cost?

The Phaeton is Volkswagen’s $100,000+ ultra-luxury car that most people have never even heard of.

Is the Phaeton reliable?

Even now, the Phaeton is a rare sight in the UK, and we’ve heard of no major problems. What’s more, there have been no safety recalls. The over-riding impression is that it’s a superbly built, reliable and understated executive express.

What is the rarest VW?

Zwitter
The rarest Volkswagen Beetle is the Zwitter, which was manufactured and produced from October of 1952 up until March of 1953, and is most commonly known for its split window on the rear of the car,. The car halted production because the split window in the back was found to be compromising the vision of drivers.

Why was the Phaeton so expensive?

Because it was missing the most important thing that comes with a luxury price: A luxury nameplate. Conceived by then-chairman of Volkswagen Ferdinand Piëch, the Phaeton was meant to compete against full-sized luxury cars like the Mercedes S-Class, the BMW 7-series and, weirdly, Volkswagen Group’s own Audi A8.

Is the Volkswagen Phaeton coming back to the US?

In January 2011, Volkswagen reported the possibility of bringing the Phaeton back to the United States in the car’s next product cycle. In Autumn 2013, The Economist placed Phaeton into the report on Europe’s biggest loss making cars. In October 2014, Top Gear Magazine placed the Phaeton on its list of “The worst cars you can buy right now.”

How many VW Phaetons were made?

VW simply put a Touareg and Launch Edition Phaeton on an unmodified showroom floor. The dealers were not to sell those Phaetons so they remained as a demonstrator. No fewer than 300 identical cars were produced. The car was locked, and in some case roped off, so you had to ask someone for a key and that “started a conversation.”

What happened to piepiech’s Phaeton?

Piech had 10 specifications that the car had to meet, which caused a number of engineers on the team to quit. They included the ability to drive all day long at 186 mph in 120 degree F weather while maintaining a cabin temperature of 71.6 degrees F. Further, the Phaeton had to be able to hit 190 mph without a single vibration.

What is the difference between a phaeton and a Phideon?

Not to be confused with Volkswagen Phideon. The Volkswagen Phaeton () / ˈfeɪtən / FAY-tən ( Typ 3D) is a full-size luxury sedan/saloon manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen, described by Volkswagen as their “premium class” vehicle. Introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, the Phaeton was marketed worldwide.