Currently reading: Bejing motor show: VW Phaeton
VW targets significant sales increase with facelifted luxury car

Chinese sales will be critical to the success of the facelifted VW Phaeton, according to an analyst.

The facelifted Phaeton will be launched at next week's Bejing motor show, and gets a refreshed front and rear end, as well as an updated interior.

Volkswagen sold 1400 Phaetons in China last year, a 40 per cent boost on the previous year’s figure, and a reflection of the 37 percent overall increase in VW sales in China.

For 2010, the company hope to sell over 2000 Phaetons, with prices starting at the equivalent of £57,000.

"Success in China is absolutely crucial for Volkswagen's expansion goals," Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Studies at the University of Bergisch, Gladbach, Germany, told Chinese media.

"Selecting China as the venue for the launch of the new Phaeton proves VW's commitment to this vast market."

In contrast, VW is still deciding whether to reintroduce the Phaeton to the American market. The car was a sales flop across the Atlantic and was pulled from the company’s model line-up in 2006.

Robert Cullen

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stutts 14 June 2010

Re: Bejing motor show: VW Phaeton

vava1 wrote:
Because we don't all buy a car because of what other people may think! Who gives a damn what anyone thinks about their car... Buy it because it does what you want it to, and YOU like it!

i agree

vava1 16 April 2010

Re: Bejing motor show: VW Phaeton

Richard H wrote:

Why would you pay all that for something that everyone thinks is a well spec'd Passat?

Because we don't all buy a car because of what other people may think! Who gives a damn what anyone thinks about their car... Buy it because it does what you want it to, and YOU like it!

sportwagon 16 April 2010

Re: Bejing motor show: VW Phaeton

I'm another Phaeton fan, even though I've only ever seen one, a black one parked outside a government office in Amsterdam, so presumably the diesel version. I really like cars that look impressive in a discreet sort of way and the Phaeton is a very good example of that breed. A quick trawl through the ads shows a high-mileage 3 year old diesel for only £16k and low mileage ones at VW dealers start at about 19k. Do I buy one now or wait till they come down even more when the new version comes out