VW Scirocco still not confirmed

Although Volkswagen Australia is planning a major model assault over the next 12 months, the highly desirable Scirocco sports coupe may still miss the boat.

Despite the Scirocco going on sale in Europe in 2008, the local subsidiary is still at a stalemate with head office in Germany over the price.

In Europe, the Scirocco costs about 15 per cent more than an equivalently-equipped Golf hatch.

But there is concern this price premium would dampen the appeal of the car locally, and Volkswagen Australia wouldn't be able to sell enough to justify the cost to put the Scirocco through the Australian compliance process, stock all the necessary parts and support the vehicle's sales and marketing programs.

Sales of sports cars typically nose dive after the first 12 months on sale, so they usually have a short lifespan.

"We need to check if the market opportunity is good enough to launch this car," said the new boss of Volkswagen Australia, Anke Koeckler.

"The Scirocco is more expensive than the Golf in Europe so in Australia it also will be not less expensive than Golf."

Koeckler said in Volkswagen's experience sales of sports car drop by 40 per cent "from one year to another".

She said Volkswagen Australia was looking at many options, including releasing only an expensive, high-performance limited edition model. However, more affordable versions were needed to help amortise the cost of supporting the car, including carrying spare parts inventories.

However, teasing Scirocco fans even further, she would not completely rule out the arrival of the car Down Under one day.

"If it makes a business case it can happen within 12 months," she said. "But I can tell you it is 100 per cent not confirmed. We still have a long way to go if it comes."

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