Someone had better tell the Britts they bought more Focus’s last year than ANYTHING else! Learn’t that from that Richard Hammonds new interactive game we were discussing last night Wheelnut!

Just as Daihatsus are essentially Toyotas as they use Toyota engines – Daewoos are Essentially Holdens as they use Holden Engines..
Their build quality fit and finish is pretty much the same as is their poor crash test safety rating – which is why they are so cheap.. you get what you pay for

Therefore; for you to criticise a budget priced car [Daewoo] yet heap praise on a car of similar standard [Daihatsu] particularly in terms of quality and reliability.. is a case of the Pot calling the Kettle Black

Wheras I could virtually write an essay on the good and bad points of the various options / possible answers you have listed.

Let me remind you that neither the Focus or the Astra scored t owell in the Leaked Australian Quality Survey.

Feel invited to re-peruse those results when convenient to yourself.

May i also remind you that VW actually has a relatively expensive service regime here in Australia and the actual covered ownership expense is quite notably more then that of the Corolla, Mazda2, Focus, Astra, Tidda etc.

Suggesting these cars is one thing but actual total covered ownership experiance is yet another. Most people by small cars because not only are they relatively cheap to purchase but cheap to maintain aswell.

Generally if they are wanting something more expensive/luxurious then usually the BMW1 series or the IS250 comes to mind.

Quick Quiz : Which is more desirable

a. Holden Barina
b. Holden Viva
c. Holden Epica
d. Holden Captiva.
e. Holden Tigra
f. Holden Omega
H. Toyota Hilux 4×4 SR5
I. Toyota Prado Grande
J. Toyota V8 (petrol / Diesel) Landcruiser Sahara
k. Toyota ZR6 Sportivo
l. Toyota Aurion Presara
m. TRD Aurion
n. TRD Hilux
o. Lexus IS250 Luxury or Sport
p. Lexus IS-F (very soon)
q. Lexus GS430 (very soon GS460)
r. Lexus GS350hl
s. Lexus RX350
t. Lexus RX350hl
u. Lexus LS460
v. Lexus LS600hl
w. Lexus LX570

Don’t forget – the next generation Toyota Supra, AE86, V6 Blade, more TRD derivatives and the Lexus GS-F and LF-A will be on your door step soon enough.

and still get proven german quality; engineering; style; safety etc

Even if they added all the options it would still be cheaper than the top of the range Rolla

Which car is more desirable?
a] Toyota Corolla
b] Toyota Yaris
c] Daihatsu Charade
d] Daihatsu Copen
e] Volkswagen Golf GT1
f] Audi A3
g] Audi A4
h] Porsche 911

- Don’t forget just as GM own Daewoo Toyota owns Daihatsu!

Things could change though as there are reports that Porsche is looking at increasing its share in Volkswagen which will enable them to take control of the group..

Because according to the German media over recent months Volkswagen is apparenly in a worse finacial situation than GM or Ford [US]
Whereas Porsche and Audi [which is also a VAG member] are in a better financial position.. in the same why Ford [OZ] and Holden are in relation to their parent companies.

GM, Ford, Mazda and now VW have all set thier sights on the BIG T so if they arn’t having an impact on the global industry then what/who is …

Gee mate good to see you associate with grandness ……Mikka
hahahaha……

Nothing wrong with Toyota being the biggest. Someone got to be, Eh MIKKA

They have to have a “Cheap & Cheerful” car like the Mazda 3 or Corolla to sell to the public.

At the moment you can’t buy a VW at anywhere near the price of these two, let alone an Audi.

The world’s buying public cannot all afford a Golf/Jetta but they can (and do) all afford the boring Corolla and the nice Mazda 3.

GM are expected to hold a strategy meeting this month where they will work out plans for the next 5 years or so which could involve closing plants and making more cars outside the US [FWDs in Europe and RWDs in Oz or Canada].

There are even reports of the owners of Chrysler [Cerebrus] talking to Ford about a possible Merger. Mind you Fords main Problem appears to be Ford Jr – their CEO

There a re anumber of other companies re-thinking their strategy. It’s as if they have only now started to realise the world is changing.. only now are they looking at smaller cars; alternative fuels etc

Problem is technology and the environmnet changes overnight whereas the R&D of a new car can take years
which is why I expect over the coming years there will be alot of downsizing of the range of cars on offer; sharing platforms etc; and quite possibly a number of mergers like the Porsche group for better use resources & technology.

Afterall when Porsche floated the idea of the Cayenne most people asked Why? Porsches answer was Why not! and now it’s their second best selling vehicle behind the 911

Then theres the world’s second Fastest car the Veyron. seemed like a weird idea to bolt 2 v8s together side by side on a common crank- but the germans made it work.

I think VW’s plans are great and if they go about it in the proper manner then i also believe it is achieveable … perhaps.

All i am saying is that it just may prove to be a lot harder then they probably anticipate but then again – have alook at some of these new Audi’s – awesome at the very least.

Without being offensive (and i am not) i like it because it’s great to see other companies going for it without hearing about General Motors or Ford.

But then again you can probably say the same thing about that company i can not name but haa – it’s all cool.

On a more civil note – do you believe it is within VW’s reach or at least within the time frame they have indicated ??

And moving further along from that – GM is not exactly gonna roll over easily themselves though are they so if you think about it … VW will have to conquer GM, Ford and Toyota and that would a mammoth task within itself.

One thing though and that is VW need to put a greater effot into quality control measures because statistically thier record is not the best.

That said – people must relise that just about every other manufactuer have their FORWARD plans aswell and Toyota has most certianly let it be known thier future ambitions aswell

All in all – excellant motivation by VW but it may prove to be much harder defeat then anticipated… but then again – it may not !!

I guess the impact people must also consider is how will affect other brands particularly the American trio if VW goes after not huge numbers. It gotta come from somewhere and no one particular brand will suffer alone.