Volkswagen on up and Up!
Although the Volkswagen Up! city car and the Space Up! minivan are only prototypes at the moment, for sure with the buzz it gets all over the world, it will go on production in let’s say, two or three years time. The two Up! models debuted in different international auto shows and in each event, spectators were awed by their sight.
The compact car wants to be like the Beetle, once branded as the “people’s car”. So to really be the people’s car, VW made it affordable that even young buyers can afford with a tag price of ranging from £6,000 to £7,000.
According to the Up! model development leader, DR. Ulrich Hackenberg, the Up! will be due for production in 2010. See?
“We only show concept cars that are realistic for production. We are now making a business case for a small family of cars based on the Up! concept.” says Hackenberg.
With the Up!, Volkswagen will not allow the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1 to dominate the smaller and affordable car segment, so the Up! will be the Volkswagen’s presence in the segment.
“We think a second sector of small cars has now been created and we believe the Up! is the car to bring the VW brand into that sector.” Hackenberg added.
“A key factor for all car firms is to win over younger buyers and then keep them with the brand. Small cars that have an attractive price and good styling appeal to younger people. But they also want a car that is big enough to take their friends, which is what the Up! does.”
