Passat to be upsized

The next generation VW Passat for the North American market will bigger than previous models, according to VW execs. Speaking to the Carsales Network during the launch of the new Jetta in San Francisco last week, Product Communications chief Christian Buhlmann said VW's target sales stateside required adding a bigger version of the popular sedan.

An upsized Passat would also help distinction between it and the new, larger Jetta. Buhlmann said the model will make its appearance in concept form in early 2011.

Volkswagen wants to almost quadruple its sales in the USA from 213,000 units to 800,000. Already market leaders in Europe, China and South America, the German giant wants to be number one in the world market by 2018. The North American market is the only one where the brand does not have a double-digit sales share.

For Jetta, Volkswagen USA has extended the range to include a base model with a port injection 2.0-litre petrol engine for the equivalent of AU$20K to appease a "more price sensitive market".

"Customer expectations [in North America] are totally different in most other markets. So when it comes to the engine, or [cabin and mechanical] appointment or rear axle, we make an adaption for each market," said

Jettas are produced in Mexico -- also where Beetle and Beetle Convertible, and a Golf-variant called Jetta Sport are made -- but Volkswagen will commence production of the new medium sedan in China (for China) next year.

Last year around 50 per cent of VW's sales in North America were for the Jetta but Buhlmann admits the sales chase to 800K cars needs help from other models and local production support.

A new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee -- from start-up in 2011, capable of 150,000 units per annum -- will take over production of models including Jetta and the new ‘larger than current' Passat. It too will get the trimmed-down treatment applied to US-spec Jettas and is anticipated to also start at around $20K US dollars.

"From a technical point of view it will be a lot less complex than the European [or version sold in Australia] Passat," he explained. "But we have to fit to the [NA] market."

The as-yet unnamed larger VW is expected to make its public debut at the next Detroit motor show, along with VW's first hybrid model (see separate story) and a coupe version of the Jetta, which is under evaluation.

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