VW decides to continue production of MkVI 'til December

[feels_road]

Originally, it was thought that most lines were taken down in August to make room for the MkVII. Now VW has decided to continue production of the MkVI until (at least?) December, to use the car as a low-cost alternative in the current European price wars.

Evidently, this could also benefit North America, since we depend on an open production line for further units to be built and shipped to these shores.

http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/articl...s-geplant.html

http://translate.google.com/translat...t.html&act=url

[1-VW]

This is a good call, I do prefer the MK6 over the MK7 & I am seriously considering the purchase of the now inferior MK6 Golf-R while it is still available.

[Belox]

thought half the reason behind the quick run to Mk7 was a cheaper platform...so how does it help to keep the more expensive mk6 in production? You'd think they'd make a cheap entry level mk7 in that case.

[feels_road]

thought half the reason behind the quick run to Mk7 was a cheaper platform...so how does it help to keep the more expensive mk6 in production? You'd think they'd make a cheap entry level mk7 in that case.

All the equipment is amortized. This delays the expense of bringing additional lines up to the new platform.

[Boosted2003!]

thought half the reason behind the quick run to Mk7 was a cheaper platform...so how does it help to keep the more expensive mk6 in production? You'd think they'd make a cheap entry level mk7 in that case.

The MK5 was even more expensive then the MK6 to build. It took ~35-36 hrs to build every GTI and it was reduced down quite a bit with the MK6 GTI.

[feels_road]

The MK5 was even more expensive then the MK6 to build. It took ~35-36 hrs to build every GTI and it was reduced down quite a bit with the MK6 GTI.

Yeah, with the MkVII most of the savings is due to the new MQB platform and parts sharing across a large number of different cars - but the Golf and A3 (and Q3?) are currently the only cars on that platform, so it will take some time for the cost savings to actually come in.

[Belox]

how do the lines work? is there more than one factory in Germany or more than one line producing golfs? So one line would produce mk6s for whoever wants them, while the other line produces mk7 for Germany? When Europe opens up, does that mean more lines have moved over to the mk7? trying to understand how it still seems you can order a mk6, although the mk7 is now released.

[feels_road]

how do the lines work? is there more than one factory in Germany or more than one line producing golfs? So one line would produce mk6s for whoever wants them, while the other line produces mk7 for Germany? When Europe opens up, does that mean more lines have moved over to the mk7? trying to understand how it still seems you can order a mk6, although the mk7 is now released.

From what I read, Wolfsburg produces around 1,000 Golfs a day, Zwickau can build up to 650. Both have started Golf VII production, and I believe Zwickau has switched over completely. Wolfsburg also builds the Golf Plus (old platform) and Touran, so they can probably use one of those lines to keep building the MkVI.

The MkVII is a completely different platform, so changing a line over is a huge event - supposedly it took three weeks at Zwickau.

[XM_Rocks]

This is a good call, I do prefer the MK6 over the MK7 & I am seriously considering the purchase of the now inferior MK6 Golf-R while it is still available.

You haven't even seen or driven the MK7?

I hated the MK5 GTI when I first saw it in pics.

Was sure I would be keeping my MK4 GTI.

But when it arrived here and after I drove it I fell in love.

Plus after owning one for a few months it grew on me.

Now the MK4 looks really old.

If you dont mind buying a slightly used car hold off on the Golf R... wait for the MK7... drive and view.

If you hate it buy a low mile used Golf R for 30% off orig sticker. Win-Win.