Winterkorn to Create an Audi Out of Volkswagen
From the very first day that Martin Winterkorn became the new Chief Executive of Volkswagen AG he has made it clear that he means business. And just last month, he has ordered the scrapping of the scheduled preview of the new Passat in Germany’s capital not because of mechanical problem, electrical problem not even parts problem say defective VW ball joints but for the reason that he was not satisfied with the look and feel of the Passat. Winterkorn said, “I don’t like to present car before it’s finished. That’s why I canceled the Berlin showing.â€
For those who are not familiar with Winterkorn, he is the former Chief of Volkswagen’s luxury unit, Audi. And tomorrow at the company’s annual press conference, Winterkorn will finally discuss his plans for the Volkswagen brand.
The Volkswagen brand was primarily the reason why Winterkorn was placed as the new CEO of VW. It should be noted that Winterkorn was the man responsible for the remarkable turnaround of Audi and VW top brass feels that Winterkorn can do the same magic on the VW brand which has been losing hundreds of millions of euros at its German factories since 2005.
When Winterkorn assumes the CEO position in VW he also brought with him his entourage of loyal subjects from Audi which he rationalize by saying that his Audi design team can get the job done quickly.
According to Peter Braendle fund manager at Zurich-based Swisscanto Asset Management, which oversees the equivalent of $46 billion including Volkswagen stock, “All of the Audi cars have a more trendy and modern design than Volkswagen. This Audi design team is strong. If they can do the same successful job at Volkswagen as with the Audi, then it will be marvelous.â€
And tomorrow at the company’s annual press conference Volkswagen will report its detailed financial figures. Europe’s largest has reported last month that its 2006 net income has doubled to 2.75 billion euros or $3.61 billion USD due to the following: launching of new car models such as Audi’s Q7 sport-utility vehicle, disposal of a vehicle-rental division and a tax gain. The Audi unit was accounted for about half of the group profit earned by the Wolfsburg, Germany-based Volkswagen.
Shares of Volkswagen in Frankfurt increase by 3.60 euros or 3.7 percent to 100 euros which is considered to be the highest price obtained since July 8, 1998. VW’s stock has gained 16 percent for this year which is the third-best performance on Germany’s benchmark DAX Index.
The Passat Scrapped for Good?
Before the takeover of Winterkorn the Passat is a project headed by Wolfgang Bernhard, former CEO of VW who resigned last January due to the management shake-up that is happening inside Volkswagen.
The Bernhard Passat is the very same model that was suppose to debut at Berlin but unfortunately was stopped by Winterkorn. The Passat project is not totally abolished it’s just that the new VW CEO’s team from Audi which includes Walter de Silva has focused more on the next generation of Golf hatchback, Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle. The new Golf is scheduled to come out next year which doesn’t leave much time for changes.
“The first priority is the Golf, the Golf successor, because that’s the most important vehicle of the brand. That’s the vehicle that has all of our attention,†said Ulrich Hackenberg, the former Audi development chief and at present the head of Volkswagen engineering at an interview in Geneva.
Hackenberg first week at Volkswagen he ordered outright changes especially in cutting the size of the rubber window seals in half to reduce weight and cost while giving the car a more refined look. According to Hackenberg, the Golf looks is “Very Roughâ€. “It looked very rough and not elegant and precise. This was something which could destroy the quality feeing, or the quality characteristics, of the car.†The changes that will takes place will incorporate the Audi touch to the Volkswagen models and the Golf is the going to be first product of the said change.
It is expected that with VW under the leadership of Winterkorn it is expected that quality is going to be the primary priority. And it will cover all products of Volkswagen including its array of auto parts such as the VW ball joint and many more.
About the Author
Benjamin Hudson works as a supervisor at one of the top engineering firms in the business district of Louisiana. He is also a freelance journalist and has passion for anything automotive.
Gymkhana 2.1, Electric Audi Teased, MINI Gives Coupe Green Light, ...
|
|
New 1:14 Scale RC Audi A6L Silver Remote Radio Control Toy Gift Car Electric $59.99 |
|
|
NEW large 1:14 Scale RC Audi A6L Black Remote Radio Control Toy Gift Car $59.99 |
|
|
1/18 Audi R8 Radio Remote Control Sport Racing Car RC RTR $29.99 |
|
|
1:24 Scale RC Audi Q5 Car R/C Remote Radio Control Toy Christmas Gift White USA $39.99 |
|
|
1:24 Scale Audi Q7 RC Car Remote Control Ready To Run Batteries included Perfect $7.99 |
|
|
1：18 Classical AUDI R8 Radio Control Car $16.98 |
|
|
Joke ELECTRIC SHOCK CAR KEY REMOTE Audi led torch N $2.14 |
|
|
New 1/18 Radio Remote Control Audi R8 Race Car RC RTR $39.98 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $65.99 |
|
|
Licensed Audi TT 1:24 Electric RTR RC Car Radio Control Vehicles Great GIFT IDEA $14.95 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $43.51 |
|
|
1:18 Scale RC Audi R8 Remote Radio Control Car Toy Christmas Gift US Stock $59.99 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $29.88 |
|
|
H9 XENON CAR HID CONVERSION KIT SLIM BALLAST 55W 3000K $95.00 |
|
|
H9 XENON CAR HID CONVERSION KIT SLIM BALLAST 55W 4300K $95.00 |
|
|
H9 XENON CAR HID CONVERSION KIT SLIM BALLAST 55W 6000K $95.00 |
|
|
H9 XENON CAR HID CONVERSION KIT SLIM BALLAST 55W 8000K $95.00 |
|
|
H9 XENON CAR HID CONVERSION KIT SLIM BALLAST 55W 10000K $95.00 |
|
|
H9 XENON CAR HID CONVERSION KIT SLIM BALLAST 55W 12000K $95.00 |
|
|
2 PC CLASSIC CAR HORNS 12 VOLT ELECTRIC CHROME NEW FORD CHEVY PONTIAC DODGE $29.99 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $0.99 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $37.57 |
|
|
Official Authorized 1:14 Audi A6L RC Car ( Silver ) $24.98 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $61.80 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $0.99 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $61.80 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $61.80 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $61.80 |
|
|
NEW Audi A4 Drift Electric RTR RC Car Radio Control Vehicle Race GT Toy $64.95 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $61.80 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $0.99 |
|
|
1:14 AUDI Q5 OFFICIAL LICENSED RADIO CONTROL CAR $23.98 |
|
|
EUROPEAN CAR 2011 AUDI 90 COUPE Vath V63RS Porsche MERCEDES-BENZ CLS63 Electric $5.95 |
|
|
AUDI R8 R/C CAR WITH UPGRADED WHEELS $144.99 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $0.99 |
|
|
Schumacher 100 A CAR MARINE BATTERY CHARGER ENGINE STARTER 6 / 12 VOLT XC103 $67.99 |
|
|
1:18 Electric RTR RC Car Licensed Audi R8 $27.17 |
|
|
ZLJM-100D - 12 Volt DC - 100 Amp DC current at 80 Volts EV Contactor Set $18.00 |
|
|
Fuel Pump NEW ELECTRIC GAS Audi A6 Quattro PART CAR $107.08 |
|
|
Fuel Pump NEW GAS ELECTRIC Volkswagen Jetta PART CAR $103.13 |
|
|
Fuel Pump ELECTRIC GAS NEW Audi A6 PART CAR AUTO $123.95 |
|
|
ELECTRIC RADIATOR COOLING FAN 12'' FOR ALL CARS SLIM $27.94 |
|
|
Official Authorized 1/16 Audi Q7 Remote Control Car $24.98 |
|
|
Official Authorized 1:14 Audi TT RC Racing Car (silver) $22.98 |
|
|
"100% ELECTRIC" Easy to apply Car Emblem $36.00 |
|
|
"100% ELECTRIC" D.I.Y. Chrome Car Emblem $24.00 |
|
|
1:14 AUDI Q7 Luxury Radio Control Car $24.98 |
|
|
1:14 Exquisite Audi TT Radio Control Car $22.98 |
|
|
Official Licensed1:14 AUDI Q5 RC Car ( white ) $23.98 |
|
|
Official Licensed1:14 AUDI Q5 RC Car ( Black ) $23.98 |
|
|
44 LED Car Truck Strobe Emergency Lights Bright White $5.79 |
|
|
Tamiya Audi R8 LMS 24H Nurburgring TT01 4WD On Road R/C Car Kit TAM58504 $149.99 |
|
|
Official Authorized 1:14 AUDI Q7 RC Car (Silver ) $24.98 |
|
|
1:10 Audi A4 Drift GT Electric RTR RC Car $49.95 |
|
|
FORD BMW AUDI Intake Electrical Air Intake Supercharged Fits All Car... $94.90 |
|
|
Official Authorized 1:14 Audi Q7 RC Car (Silver ) $23.98 |
|
|
Official Authorized 1:14 Audi Q7 RC Car ( white ) $23.98 |
|
|
Licensed Audi TT 1:24 Electric RTR RC Car Radio Control Vehicles Great GIFT IDEA $29.95 |
|
|
Pro Auto Electric New Back Up Alarm Cadillac XLR Lincoln Town Car Audi RS6 Car $15.21 |
|
|
Deka New Electrical Wires Chevrolet Traverse Audi S4 Mercury Cougar A4 Auto Car $37.57 |
|
|
RC Car Remote Control Electric Car Audi Q5 Ready to Run Complete $48.62 |
|
|
3 Racing Body Holder MiniZ Car Body Audi A4 DTM 2005 $7.70 |
|
|
12 Volt Audi R8 Electric Ride on Kids Toy Car Children's New Free Shipping $499.00 |
|
|
TAMIYA 1/10 RC AUDI R8R RACE CAR #58247 *SEALED* COLLECTOR CONDITION $329.99 |
|
|
Fuel Pump ELECTRIC NEW OE REPLACEMENT Audi A6 PART CAR $307.31 |
|
|
1:14 RASTAR AUDI Q7 Radio Control Car ( WHITE ) $24.98 |
|
|
Lexus Audi Replacement Car Electric Aerial Antenna $39.53 |
|
|
1/18 Audi Painted RC Car Body With Rear Spoiler (Black) $4.89 |
|
|
1/18 Audi Painted RC Car Body With Rear Spoiler (Blue) $4.89 |
|
|
TAMIYA 1/10 RC CAR AUDI TT TURBO ABT-AUDI TT-R #58300 $129.49 |
|
|
Official Authorized 1/16 Audi Q7 RC Car $26.98 |
|
|
1/14 Audi Q5 Black Radio Control RC Car Rastar $49.99 |
|
|
Fuel Pump NEW GAS ELECTRIC CAR PART AUTO $58.98 |
|
|
Fuel Pump GAS ELECTRIC NEW Audi 5000 PART CAR AUTO $73.60 |
|
|
Fuel Pump NEW GAS ELECTRIC Mazda GLC PART CAR AUTO $58.98 |
|
|
SC Hong Kong 1:25 PORSCHE Audi 917 CAN AM 1973 RC Operated F1 Racing Car MIB`75! $69.99 |
|
|
1:14 AUDI Q5 OFFICIAL LICENSED RC CAR ( WHITE ) $24.98 |
|
|
Fuel Pump ELECTRIC NEW OE REPLACEMENT Audi A4 PART CAR $77.69 |
|
|
AUDI TT REMOTE CONTROL CAR $34.99 |
|
|
ELECTRIC RADIATOR COOLING FAN 12'' FOR ALL CARS SLIM $27.99 |
|
|
Electric Automatic Car Aerial Antenna for BMW & Audi $31.61 |
|
|
Electric Automatic Car Aerial Antenna for Mercedes Audi $46.56 |
|
|
1:24 Scale R/C Scale Audi Q7 RC Model Car $24.99 |
|
|
1:24 Scale R/C Scale Audi TT RC Model Car Shipping USA $24.99 |
|
|
1:24 Scale R/C Scale Audi Q5 RC Model Car Shipping USA $24.99 |
|
|
1:14 Scale R/C Audi Q7 RC Model Car Shipping USA $34.99 |
|
|
1:14 Scale R/C Audi Q5 SUV RC Model Car Shipping USA $34.99 |
|
|
NEW SILVER AUDI KIDS BATTERY POWERED CHILDRENS ELECTRIC RIDE ON SPORTS CAR TOY $499.00 |
|
|
NEW Audi TT 1:24 Electric RTR RC Car Radio Control Vehicle Toy Gift Remote $24.95 |
|
|
Batmobile Electric RTR RC Car $18.99 Batmobile Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Exotic Electric RTR RC Car $14.95 Exotic Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Close-up Image of an Electric Car $24.99 Close-up Image of an Electric Car - Photographic Print |
|
|
Cyclone RTR Electric RC Stunt Car $16.95 Cyclone RTR Electric RC Stunt Car |
|
|
Top Speed Exotic Electric RTR RC Car $14.95 Top Speed Exotic Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Top Speed 612 Electric RTR RC Car $12.95 Top Speed 612 Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Top Speed Electric RTR RC Car $12.95 Top Speed Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Nissan Skyline Fireball Electric RTR RC Car $16.95 Nissan Skyline Fireball Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Exotic Winner Electric RTR RC Car $10.95 Exotic Winner Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Police Edition Exotic Electric RTR RC Car $9.95 Police Edition Exotic Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Exotic Racer 599 Electric RTR RC Car $24.95 Exotic Racer 599 Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Rad Windsurfing Electric RTR RC Car $18.95 Rad Windsurfing Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Exotic R8 V10 Electric RTR RC Car $19.95 Exotic R8 V10 Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Midnight Rider Racing Electric RTR RC Car $12.95 Midnight Rider Racing Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Phoenix Fire Racing Electric RTR RC Car $12.95 Phoenix Fire Racing Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Wolf Corps Scout Electric RTR RC Car $9.95 Wolf Corps Scout Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Electric Porsche RTR 1:18 RC Car $16 Electric Porsche RTR 1:18 RC Car |
|
|
Twisty Tornado Electric RTR RC Stunt Car $19.95 Twisty Tornado Electric RTR RC Stunt Car |
|
|
Rhino Light Stunt Electric RTR RC Car $18.95 Rhino Light Stunt Electric RTR RC Car |
|
|
Police Patrol Magnum Electric RTR RC Car $14.95 Police Patrol Magnum Electric RTR RC Car |
Posted in 
Tags: