Forum,
Indeed. Volkswagen is truly saving the day as the Super Automaker in possibly the worst time for the auto industry. Currently, both GM and Toyota are dropping, daily, in sales and Volkswagen seems to be picking up their slack. Maybe litterally too. Because VW is still leasing, aggressively, and financing through VW Credit seems to be more lenient, they are capturing sales easily.
Recently, CEO Martin Winterkorn boasted at a press gathering that VW is still aiming to be the biggest carmaker in the world within a nine year span. In addition, he anticipates VW to be the most profitable by the end of the current financial crisis. At a $6billion increase last year, he's right on the money. Toyota anticipates to drop $4.96billion in contrast. "We are staying in the fast lane and the fuel tank is well topped up," he revealed to reporters.
Part of the plan to continually improve VW's advance are the new plant in Tennessee, as well as various US-specific models. The first being a new mid-size sedan expected to arrive in 2010 as a MY2011 model. This will be a direct hit toward the Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys.
This new US-only model at this time is only referred by VW as NMS, subtlety is not VW's aim here, but rather a true, aggressive competitor in the market. Pricing is expected to be bellow the current Passat's level, however, this NMS will be built on the current CC's platform.
Here is an official rough sketch of what this mid-size sedan might look like:
Although this is the first sketch revealed, hopefully there is still some work left to finalize the lines of this new model. We accepted the CC gracefully with it's rear panel and trunk lines visibly resembling the Merc 550. But the CC is all Volkswagen, inside and out. Just drive one. This "NMS", looks more like a CTS...or even a refined Charger. The Scirocco is far from memory when looking at this sketch, even though that's what VW is claiming to be pulling it's inspiration from.
Now the Scirocco is something we are still wishing to see here. The Scirocco will undoubtly make an entrance and be noticed. Until then, it's still that unattainable superhero we only hear about.
-Tania