Volkswagen attacks X-Class… again

The one-sided slagging match between Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz over the X-Class utility’s Nissan Navara origins have erupted again.

The critique by Volkswagen Group Australia boss Michael Bartsch comes in the wake of last week’s pricing announcement for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class V6 turbo-diesel, which will make it Australia’s most expensive mid-size one-tonner when it arrives in December.

Bartsch’s commentary follow on from VGA communications chief Paul Pottinger’s observations along a similar theme late last year.

Bartsch was being questioned about the mooted commercial vehicle alliance between Volkswagen and Ford and the potential for a future Ranger-Amarok co-development when the subject turned to the X-Class.

“I would like to think that if there is a joint-venture done we would do a better job of differentiating the products between the two companies,” said Bartsch.

“I think with all the respect I have for Mercedes – my grandfather was a Daimler-Benz engineer and my father worked for Daimler-Benz – I would make a personal comment that brands with very definitive positions in the market and cultures need to be very careful about how they maintain that integrity.”

Bartsch said that “time will tell” whether pitching the top-spec X 350d at $79,415 plus on-road costs will be successful.

Volkswagen will launch its own upgrade of the Amarok Ultimate V6 turbo-diesel in September that will belt out a category-topping 200kW/580Nm and still undercut the Benz on the price.

“I think the market is fairly sophisticated and well educated and people are prepared to pay premiums for products that are premium and earn a premium,” Bartsch added.

“But I think ultimately people are also concerned about not being seen to be suckers.”

Bartsch isn’t the only executive at a German car company to take a crack at the Mercedes-Benz X-Class.

Conversely, Bartsch was reticent to comment on the mooted Ford-VW tie-up, especially as any Amarok-Ranger co-development wouldn’t happen until after the next generation of both vehicles are on sale and therefore they won’t be seen until the second half of next decade at the earliest.

“It would be disingenuous to say that nothing is going on with Ford,” Bartsch said. “But I am not in a position at the moment to say what might or might not be happening.”

But Bartsch did perk up when it was suggested Volkswagen might consider a high-performance Amarok modelled on the recently launched Ford Ranger Raptor super-ute.

“I think the Ford Raptor is a good product and I think it’s something anyone would be happy to have in their garage,” Bartsch said.

“I think Ford have done a marvellous job with that car.”