arteon to be launched in the mideast in 2017
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Andrew Savvas, brand director

Arteon to be launched in the Mideast in 2017

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleArteon to be launched in the Mideast in 2017

An electric Golf GTE for the Arabian Gulf region.
London - Arab Today

Despite several challenges in the region including high discount rates, Andrew Savvas, brand director, Volkswagen Middle East, is optimistic about the performance of his company in 2017 because of the “powerful new products” and improved customer service his company has to offer. One of the new products is Arteon, which will be launched in the Middle East in the autumn of 2017.
“Electric cars are (also) coming to the region,” he told Arab News. He said that his company is currently testing an electric Golf GTE for the Arabian Gulf region.
He believes that buyers of VW cars get the best of both worlds: German engineering at Japanese and Korean prices. Golf is a best seller in the region forming a quarter of total VW sales.
Following are excerpts from the interview:
How was Volkswagen’s performance in the Middle East during 2016? And what are the prospects for 2017?
Due to market conditions, 2016 was a challenging sales year for our brand in a market known for high discount rates. However, from a consumer’s perspective 2016 was a good time to purchase a new car.
Despite market challenges we did make positive strides in our product line-up with the launch of the new Passat in the first quarter.
In the second quarter of 2016, we launched the Golf GTI Clubsport. Finally, we finished the year with the launch of the Tiguan, which proved to be a huge success. We are, therefore, very optimistic about sales during 2017.
Furthermore, 2016 was a positive year for our dealer partners, as they continue to improve their customer satisfaction scores across the region. Our customers are getting great deals on high-quality German vehicles with better customer service.
We are focused on making positive strides ahead with powerful new products and by improving our customer services with a focus on digitalization.
What new models does Volkswagen intend to offer in the region during 2017?
The Tiguan will have its first full year in the Middle East in 2017 and for us the model has already proved to be a big success. The updated Golf will arrive this summer with more technology and more power, while the all-new Arteon, recently unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, will arrive in the autumn with a classic sports car design, and the elegance and space of a fastback. This summer, we will launch a special edition of the Touareg with bespoke trims, featuring additional value that will directly benefit our customers. The year 2017 is going to be a busy product year for Volkswagen in the region.
How ready is the region for alternative powertrains such as hybrid and electric vehicles?
Electric vehicles are coming. The readiness of the region will be determined by consumer demand and it will be determined by eliminating the obstacles preventing purchase of electric vehicles. Those obstacles include driving range, ability to rapidly charge a vehicle on a long route, entry-level price point, charging point infrastructure and the cost of fuel.
The UAE and Jordan are leading the way in this regard. The UAE has planned approximately 100 charging points across the country, while Jordan has exempted electric models from registration fees, customs duties and sales taxes, and invested in charging facilities at petrol stations across the kingdom.
I have no doubt that the obstacles preventing the growth of electric vehicles in the region will be eliminated in due course. At Volkswagen, we are testing Golf GTE models for the region. However, we are not ready to offer these models yet. It is our goal to become a global leader in e-mobility by selling 1 million electric vehicles by 2025.
What is your most popular model in the region and why do consumers in the region prefer it?
The Golf model range is our biggest driver of sales, representing 25 percent of our sales volume in 2016. The Golf has established itself as an iconic people’s car, decades of German engineering has seen every generation of Golf set benchmarks in pure driving pleasure and ownership experience.
However, we offer products across a wide variety of segments and our customers look to Volkswagen for German engineering.
Does being the largest automotive group in the world put extra pressure on the company to perform and preserve that position?
Our objective is to be a profitable, competitive, high-volume manufacturer with a commitment to premium quality. Volkswagen has embarked on the TRANSFORM 2025+ program, which will set a new course for the brand. One area of importance in the region is a clearer brand positioning. This means launching of more products in the region such as our new seven-seater SUV in 2018, the Atlas. The gesture control technology will also be available in the upcoming version of Golf.
In general, what distinguishes VW vehicles from others and why should consumers choose them?
Our products feature technology not found in competitor models within the volume segment. As a direct result of the Volkswagen’s wide portfolio of sports cars, luxury, premium and volume models, the Volkswagen brand is able to develop technology and safety features that ultimately benefit our customers. The Volkswagen brand is premium in the volume segment — which means that we offer technology found in premium models, but at a price that is comparable with Japanese and Korean brands. Our customers get more for their money, be it safety, material or horsepower.

Source: Arab News

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

arteon to be launched in the mideast in 2017 arteon to be launched in the mideast in 2017

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 06:40 2017 Saturday ,16 December

Walker needs brains not just brawn

GMT 08:15 2017 Thursday ,07 September

US oil giant ExxonMobil plans Cyprus gas exploration

GMT 18:11 2011 Monday ,18 April

Zimbabwe and Zambia in tug of war over Vic Falls

GMT 16:05 2017 Tuesday ,31 October

Qadih calls for involving private sector

GMT 09:20 2017 Wednesday ,15 November

Qualcomm spurns $130 bn Broadcom bid for big tech tie-up

GMT 13:43 2017 Tuesday ,24 October

Stabbed Russian journalist 'in recovery'

GMT 10:26 2017 Friday ,14 April

Sock topples Haas to reach ATP Houston quarters

GMT 14:00 2017 Saturday ,25 November

Sudan condemns terrorist attack in Egypt

GMT 09:40 2017 Monday ,04 December

Stade down Racing, Clermont edge plucky Agen

GMT 08:08 2017 Thursday ,05 October

Injury jinx strikes again as Iordache exits

GMT 11:20 2017 Tuesday ,05 December

Prodigal son: Saleh Saudi overture tips Yemen balance

GMT 09:35 2013 Saturday ,31 August

Afghan suicide attack kills 6, hurts 20 in south

GMT 23:36 2016 Sunday ,11 December

Suicide attack in Istanbul claims 29 lives

GMT 18:29 2013 Sunday ,10 November

Samsung\'s Galaxy Note 3 top 5m

GMT 14:52 2013 Sunday ,24 November

Computer game opponents begin to think, feel alike

GMT 18:55 2012 Wednesday ,02 May

8 Secret guy insecurities

GMT 19:27 2012 Thursday ,10 May

How to win over your boss

GMT 18:27 2012 Sunday ,29 April

Why I\'m better off without a baby

GMT 13:40 2012 Friday ,25 May

Sharnoubi to make documentary on singer Warda

GMT 12:58 2014 Friday ,28 November

Incredibly small apartment in Paris

GMT 00:44 2011 Sunday ,25 December

Modern glass house

GMT 10:51 2011 Tuesday ,05 July

Dior loses its way without creative director
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle