Most automakers are jumping onto the small-car bandwagon these days in the U.S., for better or worse. In some cases, this means pointlessly rebadged models - like the Pontiac G3 - while in other cases, it means North America gets some impressive German subcompacts - like the Volkswagen Polo.
Volkswagen development chief Ulrich Hackenberg spoke to Automotive News at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, saying Volkswagen will take advantage of the growth in the small car segment.
"The small-car segment is the fastest growing segment in the U.S.," he said. "Oil prices will rise again, and that will drive small car sales up further."
The Polo, which is roughly the size of a Ford Fiesta, would be Volkswagen's smallest offering here in the U.S. The Rabbit, which is sold in other countries as the Golf, is the smallest model Volkswagen currently sells in the U.S. In overseas markets, Volkswagen offers an even smaller model than the Polo, called the Fox.
Hackenberg also said the U.S.-bound Polo could be produced at Volkswagen's plant in Pueblo, Mexico. He did not say when sales of the Polo would start.
The newest iteration of the Polo will be unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March.
Source: Automotive News