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UBRKRAUT
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« on: April 12, 2006, 04:34:54 pm » |
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Here you go the brainchilds of VWoA's marketing department..... After launching the "Golf" at the Chicago Auto Show just six weeks earlier, Volkswagen has decided to *rename* it the "Rabbit" - yes the old U.S.-only nameplate from the 70's and 80's. Then on top of everything else they somehow managed to bring a German-made Golf in at a $14,900 price tag.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.— In a surprise move, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its all-new fifth generation Golf, which debuted at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, is going back to its roots with the original Rabbit nameplate for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The Rabbit will hop into the market in early summer, after its official introduction at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
“The Rabbit was always exclusive to the U.S. and Canadian markets; while the rest of the world had the Golf, we had the iconic Rabbit,” said Volkswagen’s Director of Brand Innovation, Kerri Martin. “The reintroduction of the Rabbit represents Volkswagen’s commitment to this market and is a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Rabbit name.”
“Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle, Fox, and Rabbit support this,” Martin added.
The Rabbit goes on sale this summer in both two and four-door versions, with pricing starting at $14,990 for the two-door. Standard features include an advanced ABS braking system, traction control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, air conditioning and anti-theft alarm system with remote locking. Always known for its value, this latest Rabbit is no exception, offering a high level of standard features and equipment at an attractive starting price.
The Rabbit was the first Volkswagen produced in the United States and its appeal grew rapidly, with sales of over 1.3 million in its 10-year lifespan. The Rabbit’s popularity can be credited to the wide array of standard features it offered at an attractive price. The 2006 Rabbit promises a return to the high-value, iconic status of the original.
“The Rabbit’s return to Volkswagen’s family is not an attempt to recreate the original car; today’s Rabbit is manufactured at our Wolfsburg production facility alongside the all-new GTI.”
The Rabbit, or Golf as it is well known throughout the rest of the world, is the world’s best-seller with over 25 million cars sold over five generations. This latest generation has already won more than 25 awards in more than sixteen countries. And, yesterday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), announced that the 2006 Rabbit four-door received the Top Safety Pick, Silver award, based on the Institute’s frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash protection ratings.
Martin adds, “Even the name ‘Rabbit’ dramatizes the enhanced performance, playing off the car’s clever design, efficient size, agility and nimbleness. The Rabbit is back.”
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1970 Beetle (undergoing emergency surgery)
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vwfye
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« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2006, 05:24:50 pm » |
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so, does this mean aG finally realized that VW people were econobox folks and not W12 kind of people? probably not
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What are all those lights flashing for?
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JVance
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« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2006, 05:32:01 pm » |
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LOL, Brian...I have to chuckle every time I see a VW Phaeton...
...I feel like running up to their window and asking, "Dude...do you know that you just spent $80K on a VOLKSWAGEN!!!???"
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Thanks Rocky Jennings, DRD, and Pauter -Stripped66
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carapace
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« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2006, 08:01:29 pm » |
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LOL, Brian...I have to chuckle every time I see a VW Phaeton... If I had to laugh everytime, it would only have been once. I NEVER see those beastly things around. |
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Mag00
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« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2006, 10:28:04 pm » |
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kinda looks like a 93 Civic...
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Fritter
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« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2006, 01:15:52 am » |
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I do like the Phaeton, and I have a Touareg, so I like the more luxurious VW's too, but I think VW is doing a good thing by going back to their roots instead of trying to be something it is not. And hopefully their sales will improve as a result. Not many people want an $80K VW.
Leave Audi to luxury and keep VW the people's car!
Next step: Support the aircooled community more.....now I know I'm dreaming!
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Mike Fritz
Early '64 Bug sunroof project
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Dave Conklin (Cornpanzers)
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« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2006, 09:16:50 pm » |
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Marketing retards.
They spent two decades trying to seperate themselves from the "Rabbit" mentality and now they are starting over again. Mark my words. In two years they willchange thier mind again.
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Cornpanzers!
67 Turbo Beetle
70 911 "S"
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Bruce Tweddle
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« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2006, 12:09:28 am » |
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Ahh, the Phaeton. Wasn't that the car that sold in the dozens?
All through the late 70s, Rabbit owners hated the stupid name. Overseas Golf badges were in high demand. History will repeat itself. Guys will be making good $ selling Euro badges on eBay.
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Marty
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« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2006, 12:41:46 am » |
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I think that Rabbit is kind of cool.
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Marty
staggsracing.com
m-specmotorsports.com
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werksberg
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« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2006, 02:26:26 am » |
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When I first heard this, all I could think of the dbl. upped Rabbits doing you know what!  I wonder if I still have those around here......  |
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SOS: Support Our Shops....with this bad economy!
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Fritter
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« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2006, 06:13:14 am » |
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I'll take a metallic brown Rabbit with white interior with the diesel engine, thank you.....wait, is it 2006 or 1980, I'm getting confused..... Next thing you know, VW will bring back the Beetle name......oh wait......  Is Microbus next? |
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Mike Fritz
Early '64 Bug sunroof project
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deano
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« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2006, 04:28:44 pm » |
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Nah, the Dasher will be next to make its big comeback.
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1967 Heaven
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Fritter
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« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2006, 05:27:52 pm » |
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My mom had a '74 banana yellow Dasher with brown interior that our family bought new. It was a pretty good car, although my dad had to rebuild the head on it at a fairly low mileage.
As a young kid at the time, I remember thinking the defroster and hazard funky logos were really cool.
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Mike Fritz
Early '64 Bug sunroof project
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Richard Roth
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« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2006, 07:08:46 pm » |
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Cornpanzers
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UBRKRAUT
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« Reply #14 on: April 15, 2006, 09:38:38 am » |
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All of the Rabbit enthusiast are in a uproar!
Kinda funny....We say a NB isn't a Beetle and water-cooled folks say a Golf isn't a Rabbit....
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1970 Beetle (undergoing emergency surgery)
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Kafer_Mike
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« Reply #15 on: April 17, 2006, 07:14:37 pm » |
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Marketing retards.
They spent two decades trying to seperate themselves from the "Rabbit" mentality and now they are starting over again. Mark my words. In two years they willchange thier mind again.
Yep. Hare today, gone tomorrow...  |
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skeeter!
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« Reply #16 on: April 17, 2006, 07:30:14 pm » |
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I've seen a handful of Tauregs on the road, never a Phaeton... and that's here in southern CA where everyone drops tons of money on their cars!
So, does this mean we're going to see the "new Scirocco" next?
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Der Primer Panzers
Primer is not a crime!
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armchair
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« Reply #17 on: April 17, 2006, 08:15:48 pm » |
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Actually, you just might...VW is really working on a new Scirocco right now!
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