VW Sales figures in Australia,November 2008

[anthony]

Eos 104
Golf 505
Jetta 170
New Beetle 26
New Beetle Cabrio 7
Passat 196
Polo 83
Tiguan 68
Touareg 51

Caddy 139
Caddy Life/camper 26
Caravelle 11
Crafter 39
Kombi Beach 3
Multivan 20
Transporter 195
Transporter C/c 27
Total 1670

[faisan]

They really should sell a lot more Jettas than they do. The Jetta is basically a sedan version of the Golf. Most other makes who have a model with hatch and sedan options sell roughly 50/50 of each eg Mazda 3, Mitsubishi Lancer.

[gerhard]

They really should sell a lot more Jettas than they do. The Jetta is basically a sedan version of the Golf. Most other makes who have a model with hatch and sedan options sell roughly 50/50 of each eg Mazda 3, Mitsubishi Lancer.

Yes, that's quite puzzling.

It might be that the totally different name is part of the reason, but also Jetta looks much bigger than Golf in the flesh.

[anthony]

I think it depends on where the car is marketed,as in some markets,the Jetta outsells the Golf,
Examples are China,South Africa,America,Canada,Mexico,South and central America,and parts of Eastern and central Europe...as well as the whole Middle Eastern region.
In Australia Jetta is positioned ABOVE the Golf,and it falls in the declining medium car sector.The Golf falls into the small car sector,even though they are very closely related.
However in 2006,its launch year,and 2007,its first full year,it was second top seller after the Golf.
In 2008 Passat was slightky ahead.
Cars like the LAancer,Mazda3,Focus sedans and Corolla sedans are much cheaper,the Jetta is positioned more to compete with the bigger Mazda 6,Honda Accord Euro,Subaru Liberty,Holden Epica,Ford Mondeo,Toyota Camry,Kia Magentis and Hyundai Sonata,as well as all the other Europeans.
Globally,in 2007 over 630000 Jettas were produced and sold,making it the 3rd most popular seller in the entire VW group,just behind Golf and Passat.
About 8 and a half million have been sold worldwide since the MK1 was launched 29 years ago,as a Golf with a boot...

[phaeton]

Just remember Jetta is quite new to the Australian market whereas the others are more established aka Liberty, 6 (626), Accord Euro and Camry etc

I think you'll also find VW Australia are asking the same question from all the articles I've read.

Possible solutions include more variants including wagon, GLI or an R line versions.

[jets]

This has always been the case in Aust. I looked at some early sales brochures on the range sold here. In the '96 range the Vento [booted Golf] was available, while in '98 it was discontinued.
An indication of the slow sales is the name change from Vento to Bora to Jetta.
The booted golf also suffered when S/H with increased depreciation, higher initial price & harder to sell later.
In North America the sales are reversed with the Jetta being more popular.
This remark has already been said as while I was preparing my post there have been two more comments.

[anthony]

VW plans to launch the 1.4 TSI model soon,as well as upgrade the TDI engine...
On average,since launch VW have sold 300 Jettas per month here.
10000 units have been sold in total to date locally,making it much more popular than the previous Bora...and I would say it has been sucessful for VW,however I am sure they would like it to be more of a volume seller for them.

[phaeton]

VW plans to launch the 1.4 TSI model soon,as well as upgrade the TDI engine...
On average,since launch VW have sold 300 Jettas per month here.
10000 units have been sold in total to date locally,making it much more popular than the previous Bora...and I would say it has been sucessful for VW,however I am sure they would like it to be more of a volume seller for them.

That makes perfect sense waiting for the CR TDI

Jetta has been great for VW but that has alot to do with the price restructuring and the current product being and all round better vehicle.

Really the next one needs to keep the same quality and grow a little in all areas and if possible price mega competitively

[anthony]

Pricing is very important.
The next generation Jetta will be launched in 2010-2011,so we have the current one for another 2 years.
Because it is much the same in looks,without a facelift,means that resale values will remain high in its entire life.
I beleive the Jetta name is here to stay,as that has always been what it is called in its main markets.
The Sportwagon would be a nice adition to the local line up,but probably too similar to the Passat Variant...

[phaeton]

Pricing is very important.
The next generation Jetta will be launched in 2010-2011,so we have the current one for another 2 years.
Because it is much the same in looks,without a facelift,means that resale values will remain high in its entire life.
I beleive the Jetta name is here to stay,as that has always been what it is called in its main markets.
The Sportwagon would be a nice adition to the local line up,but probably too similar to the Passat Variant...

Yeah but there was that facelift version spotted in China

I concur Jetta will name will remain here forever.

I read an article in Volkswagen Driver (UK publication) that compared both I think pricing would be the issue here.
Then again the Passat Wagon starts at 44K so if Jetta/Golf were to start at 34K its still 10K cheaper although I dont see too many small/midsize wagons in Australia more Passat size and up.