“That’s our strategy, to have a lineup ending with the Phaeton (luxury sedan). We will bring the Phaeton back to the [U.S.] market,” Jacoby told The Detroit News.
The premium luxury sedan reportedly sells well in Europe, but never found its niche during its previous 3-year stint in the U.S.
Jacoby also commented on the products VW will build at the plant its building in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Along with the NMS midsize sedan, designed exclusively for the U.S. market, VW is contemplating building a new compact SUV in the facility.
According to Jacoby, the NMS sedan will replace the lower-levels of the Passat range, while the slinky CC covers the premium-content models. Jacoby says the sedan will ultimately be available with diesel and hybrid-electric powertrains.
Rumors have also been circulating about VW joining the pickup truck segment and possibly importing the Polo for U.S. consumption. Jacoby confirmed that both rumors are true, but no decision has been made.
“There’s an ongoing discussion whether we should have a vehicle below the Jetta, a kind of entry model into the VW brand,” said Jacoby. “That could be a Polo, or a car in the range of a Polo.”
Source: The Detroit News