VW's Minivan to be most expensive ever offered for sale in U.S.

[MikeMike]

Sedona Targets Domestic Minivans, Not VW Entrant

By Christie Schweinsberg

WardsAuto.com, Jan 26 2006

Len Hunt, formerly head of VW?s North American sales arm, says the upcoming Volkswagen minivan likely will be expensive.

EL MAR, CA ? Kia Motors America says it is targeting its all-new, second-generation Sedona minivan at buyers of domestic models, particularly the Dodge Caravan.

It likely will not appeal to those who will shop the upcoming Volkswagen minivan, a joint project with Chrysler Group, due in 2008. (See related story: Chrysler Confirms VW Minivan Production )

Len Hunt, KMA chief operating officer, is the former head of Volkswagen of America Inc. and was privy to some of the details of Volkswagen AG?s pending minivan.

Hunt says it is unlikely the two minivans will be cross-shopped, as the Sedona is a value-priced entrant, beginning at $22,995 for an ?06 model, and he expects the VW minivan will be one of the most-expensive minivans ever offered for sale in the U.S.

Hunt attributes it to Volkswagen?s notorious demand for high-end features and the utmost quality.

?You know what makes me laugh?? Hunt says in an interview with Ward?s at the Sedona media preview here. ?This is going to be a battle between this absolute fanatical bunch of German engineers, who are wonderful, I promise you,? and Chrysler?s more economically minded staff.

?So (Volkswagen is) going to be going in there (saying), ?I want the blue lights. I want the seats. I want the soft-touch paint. I want the shimmering gyroscopically-controlled steering.?

?And all the Chrysler guys are going to be going, ?No, no, it costs money!?? Hunt says.

?Whatever it comes out as, I promise you it?s going to be a fair bit of money, because the Volkswagen guys will never allow a Volkswagen badge on something that doesn?t handle like a Volkswagen, have an interior like a Volkswagen. It won?t be a threat to (Kia?s Sedona).?

Hunt predicts the VW minivan will pose a threat, however, to sister company Hyundai Motor America?s upcoming Entourage minivan, due to the fact Hyundai plans to offer a richer mix, with standard features such as power-sliding doors.

Kia officials here claim to know little about the Entourage, privy only to the scarce details Hyundai released on the vehicle, which was canceled last summer only to be put back into the South Korean auto maker?s product plans two months later. (See related story: The Return of Entourage )

The Entourage will share a platform with the Sedona.

The Sedona also is unlikely to draw many Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna buyers, KMA officials say.

The two Japanese entrants were the No.2 and No.3 best-selling minivans in the U.S. last year, according to Ward?s data.

But it is the segment-leading Dodge Caravan, with 226,771 units sold in the U.S. last year, that Kia thinks will be the most vulnerable, as the Sedona boasts more than $4,000 in additional standard equipment than the Caravan, says Yumi Takayama, product strategy manager-Sedona.

Features such as 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist are standard on the Sedona but not on the Caravan, Takayama says.

The Sedona also will come standard with six airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control.

cschweinsberg@wardsauto.com

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_sedona_targets_domestic/index.htm

 

[God On Alcohol]

its gonne be worth it

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: God On Alcohol
its gonne be worth it

for a Chrysler Minivan with VW interior and external styling cues??

 

[PingSpike]

VWs costing way to much, nothing new here.

 

[J Heartless Slick]

"Hunt attributes it to Volkswagen?s notorious demand for high-end features and the utmost quality."

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: J Heartless Slick
"Hunt attributes it to Volkswagen?s notorious demand for high-end features and the utmost quality."

you ever sat in the interior of a VW. although not a reliable manufacturer, there is no arguing that they have some of the best interiors available.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Remember when VW was cheap?

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Remember when VW was cheap?

Lol, seriously.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: God On Alcohol
its gonne be worth it

for a Chrysler Minivan with VW interior and external styling cues??

Chrysler's Town & Country is great. VW's features are great. Ain't no way I'm paying $35k+ for a minivan though.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Remember when VW was cheap?

Then they went and got a big head, and look where it's gotten them...

 

[CtK]

Honda Odyssey is still gonna be the best minivan available!!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Sedona Targets Domestic Minivans, Not VW Entrant

By Christie Schweinsberg

WardsAuto.com, Jan 26 2006

?Whatever it comes out as, I promise you it?s going to be a fair bit of money, because the Volkswagen guys will never allow a Volkswagen badge on something that doesn?t handle like a Volkswagen, have an interior like a Volkswagen, and fall apart like a Volkswagen. It won?t be a threat to (Kia?s Sedona).?

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_sedona_targets_domestic/index.htm

Fixed!

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: J Heartless Slick
"Hunt attributes it to Volkswagen?s notorious demand for high-end features and the utmost quality."

you ever sat in the interior of a VW. although not a reliable manufacturer, there is no arguing that they have some of the best interiors available.

Yeah, they have a nice ride thats for sure. The different is night and day compared to my noisy bucket of bolts.

 

[bootymac]

.

 

[Strk]

So much for the People's car .

 

[vi edit]

You can configure the Sienna to be almost $43,000.

Now *THATS* an expensive minivan.

 

[m2kewl]

fvck that - i'd take a honda ody over any of the other minvans!