Up! on its way down
Volkswagen boss says strong dollar puts Up! on the agendaAustralians could be shopping for a new entry-level model in Volkswagen showrooms as soon as late 2012.
Set for worldwide unveiling next month and a full reveal at September's Frankfurt motor show, the much previewed Volkswagen Up! sub-light category city car is now very firmly on the agenda for the local arm of the German carmaker giant.
Volkswagen Australia boss Anke Koeckler confirmed that the near-mini car (pictured at the Bologna motor show in 2007) is very much on her company's 2012-13 planning last night at a press briefing in Sydney.
She stated that the strength of the Australian dollar had confirmed the car's fitness for the local market and that it would be aimed at buyers shopping under the circa-$16,000 Polo.
"Up! is a way to connect to the young. I'm really keen to get Up! into the Australian market -- it is a great opportunity to engage younger buyers. We have a philosophy of getting buyers into Volkswagen and delivering a choice of cars for all life [stages]," Koeckler told motoring.com.au
But the VW boss also believes the new mini-car can convert used car buyers to the brand.
"Perhaps it is for people who thought they could only buy a used Volkswagen."
To this end Koeckler says the Up! must arrive in dealerships Down Under below the $16,000 starting price of Polo.
"We are looking at $15,000," she stated.
Koeckler says that VW Australia can deliver the car to the local market at this sort of pricing level -- even sourced from Europe.
"Absolutely [we can hit this pricetag].
"With the strong Australian dollar, it gives us the opportunity. We pulled out once [from bringing the car to Australia] but we are now working hard to make it happen. We are very much hopeful it will arrive before the end of 2012," Koeckler stated.
"Sub-Light cars are getting more important here [the Australian marketplace]. Up! will not be a niche product, it is very much a mass market introduction for Volkswagen...
"But it will also create an emotionalism of its own," Koeckler said.
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