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Subject:Re: Advertising & the Demise of the Westy, longish,
From:KENWILFY
Date:Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:32:17 EDT

I have often wondered about why VW doesn't really advertise thier product in
the US.  Here is what I have gleaned on the subject.
VW is the 4th (or maybe its the third now) largest vehicle manufacturer on the
planet.  They are number one in Europe, China, South America (I think), and a
couple other places.  They are basically selling all the cars they produce at
the moment.  I read an article that the new Passat is backordered two months
in Europe, Jettas are selling like crazy, the New Beetle is backordered.
Since they are selling everything they produce and are backordered, why should
they spend money to advertise vehicles that are already sold?  They are
continually expanding and some day soon, perhaps, they will be able to focus
on the American market again (when they have a surplus of vehicles).  I have
heard the President of VW say that they have a goal of being number 1 in the
US but I think it is really long term.  So even though it looks like VW is
asleep at the switch here in the States they really were building up thier
other market places so that when they focus back on US again I think it will
be with a vengance.  I would not be surprised to see them number 1 in the
world within the next 20 years.
That's my 2cents on the subject.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
PS our local dealer never advertises at all and he sells VWs like crazy and
this is Southern New Jersey where it used to be rare to see VWs.  Now I can
count 20 new Jettas in a 30 min drive around the area.

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