Five new SUVs is how Volkswagen plans to gain volume share in America’s car market after sales dropped by 10 per cent despite the US market picking up by 6 per cent. After speaking directly with dealers, Volkswagen is adamant that their new line-up of SUVs is just what the American population has been yearning for.
Failure to perform in the American market is widely believed to be the main reason behind Ferdiand Piech’s recent decision to resign as Chairman of the Volkswagen Group.
First to be revealed is the Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV; a five-metre, seven seater vehicle with estate-like qualities while offering a command seating position and pseudo machoness. The Volkswagen CrossBlue is likely to be positioned above the Tiguan but below the Touareg – a possible competitor to the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Expansion into more markets has not been ruled out and a coupe version is some way into development.
The CrossBlue will be followed by a seven-seater version of the Tiguan’s successor. Based on the Golf platform it will be slightly smaller and sportier than the CrossBlue. Making sure that they have plugged as many gaps as possible, Volkswagen’s Taigun (previewed in concept form) will take position as a smaller SUV with proportions similar to the Polo. The Taigun draws origins from the Volkswagen UP! and is the most likely of the three to be sold in global markets. The Taigun will go head to head with the Nissan Juke.
