It takes Martin Winterkorn almost no time in charge to put a hold on hybrid VWs
When Martin Winterkorn took over for Wolfgang Bernhard very recently, he examined the next versions of the Rabbit and VW's other models hybrid plans and immediately put them on hold. An unnamed VW executive says, "the hybrid business case doesn't work out, no matter how you look at it." Toyota might have something to say about that thought...
The hybrid Touareg apparently is still on track to be the first VW hybrid, and is expected to be on sale in 2008. Winterkorn also is planning to delay the release of their next Rabbit, citing design changes. It is being reported that Winterkorn did not like the large air openings on the redesigned car.
[Source: Autoweek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bioTDI 3:58AM (2/08/2007)
Vdub: Where are the TDI Rabbits that are blessed to run on B20 or better?
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Glenn A. 10:49AM (2/08/2007)
VW just signed it's own death warrant.
In 5 years, no matter where on earth you market cars, if you don't have a hybrid, you'll be as dead as Studebaker.
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Mike 9:52AM (2/08/2007)
VW, I don't care if you have hybrid cars or not, just get your new diesel models over here pronto. Like yesterday...
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ME 12:12PM (2/08/2007)
I doubt it Glenn. VW is a leader in diesel, and diesel makes more sense than hybrids.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/02/06/prius-not-so-hot-without-full-federal-tax-credit-toyota-offers/
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W 12:16PM (2/08/2007)
And Glenn, you are the head of what multi-national, multi-billion, automotive group?
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Benson Leung 8:18PM (2/08/2007)
ME: diesel has a long way to go before it will get a lot of traction here in the US. A fundamental problem with diesel continues to be NOx and particulate emissions, which continue to be much worse than the average gasoline burning car in the US. This is also the reason why many car manufacturers will not sell a 2007 model year diesel car in the US, because the emissions standards have become stricter, and diesel technology hasn't caught up to control the NOx.
Diesel is great at reducing CO2 emissions, but hybrids do both : they reduce CO2 as well as reduce NOx. They are 90% cleaner with respect to NOx than even the next generation Blutec diesels.
Furthermore, diesel may be a short term solution, but hybrid technology is a long term solution.
Hybrid technology will evolve into 2 very important technologies that will power all cars in the coming decades : Plug-in hybrid, bringing together the best aspects of an EV with the range of a gasoline car, and fuel cells.
Every fuel cell vehicle in the future will be a hybrid vehicle, consisting of an all electric drivetrain.
Hybrid technology will evolve to eventually not burning ANY fossil fuel at the car, if and when we transition to fuel cells, or to pure EVs. Diesel is a short to medium term solution, but will continue to rely on burning fuel (fossil or biodiesel) and producing carbon due to that combustion.
That is why many people think that diesel is going to be a dead end.
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Mike 2:27PM (2/09/2007)
Benson: I don't care, I'm going to buy a diesel car anyway.
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MikeW 12:13PM (2/12/2007)
Drop the crappy no variable valve timing 2.5 I5, bring over the TwinCharger!
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