Three-box Passat discontinued? The Western European market doesn't have a say, because the Chinese market hasn't spoken yet!

Even 3 years ago, I would have thought ? Passat, Golf such models will be in the European market, especially the developed Western European market has been renewed, and then sold smoothly, belong to the flood of blessings, long live long live long live kind. Who would have thought that since last year, the Golf, Passat, such as the foundation of the core solid Volkswagen family members will be successive rumors that there will be no more successor to the new model "rumors". Of course, I'm not surprised that the old platform Passat in North America was recently announced as being discontinued - after all, it's not exactly Volkswagen's home turf, and it's been so long since the NMS (New Midsize Sedan) was announced that if I were old enough to be in the U.S., I'd be buying an SUV, too.

(2020?Volkswagen?Passat)

But the information coming back from Europe during this time is not optimistic for Volkswagen fans: Volkswagen may consider canceling the Passat sedan version in the future, and just keep the wagon for sale in Europe. And Eastern Europe, Southern Europe and other markets where there is still a strong demand for the sedan, Volkswagen will consider filling the gap with the Skoda Express.

(2020?Volkswagen?Passat?Alltrack)

It's not optimistic, but I can understand it. In traditionally developed Western European markets like Germany and France, as well as the Nordic region, the mainstay of Passat sales is indeed the wagon. But Europe and China are different, different European countries in geography, economy, culture and other aspects of the details of the difference is still very big, Portugal, Spain, as well as Eastern Europe still has a significant demand for three cars, but just a hatchback "three" sedan to fill the gap left by the Passat, I think the idea is a bit naive. I think that's a bit naive.

(2020?Skoda?Superb?Speed)

It's not that I don't see the value of the Skoda brand, it's just that I think Volkswagen might consider the Volkswagen CC (now known as the Arteon) as a replacement for the Passat trim level. The sportier, more luxurious four-door coupe itself is actually awkwardly positioned (with the CC's budget, doesn't the Audi A4/A5 smell good?) The CC itself does not lose out, nor do consumers, by slightly lowering its positioning to that of the Passat sedan. As for the issue of space, these days still buy sedan consumers, who still care about what space is not space ah!

(2021?Volkswagen?Arteon)

Of course, how the European market is tossed around has little to do with us. But that's why I emphasize the word "irrelevant" here, which means it's still relevant. The Chinese market is one of Volkswagen's most valuable assets, and it will be interesting to see if the future replacements for the FAW-Volkswagen Maittens (the relatively original European version of the Passat) and SAIC Volkswagen Passat (the more localized Passat) will be affected by Volkswagen's decision on the Passat family.

In the Chinese market, the North and South Volkswagen mid-size sedans sold more than 360,000 units last year, and even after the "collision door" incident, the SAIC Volkswagen Passat's sales in the first 10 months of this year still reached 116,900 units, which is a very strong market segment for the Volkswagen mid-size sedan. This shows its strong irreplaceability in this segment of the mid-size sedan market.

("The Safety of Vehicle Occupants Index" received an excellent G)

In such a market environment, how can Volkswagen easily lose its edge in this segment? Perhaps we can imagine Volkswagen joining forces with North and South Volkswagen, as well as designers and engineers in Wolfsburg, to once again customize two new mid-size sedans for the Chinese market that are suitable for each of the two partners. But it's a big world, so is it really just because the Western European market can't sell the three-door Passat, and the North American market is phasing out its aging platforms, and then it's time to think about canceling a mid-size sedan that still has a lot of life in other parts of the world? There are plenty of cars that don't sell well, and I don't see the Camry and Civic replacing them.

(2020? SAIC Volkswagen Passat)

But my idea of replacing the Passat with a Volkswagen CC for the European market won't work in China. On the one hand, the price of the domestic FAW-Volkswagen CC is not low, and domestic consumers are too price-sensitive; on the other hand, space is one of the performances that domestic consumers in this segment are almost morbidly concerned about, and the FAW-Volkswagen Volkswagen CC has no advantage at all in this area. If we talk about design, it is estimated that most of the consumers in this market segment are not quite able to listen to it. So it's more appropriate for the existing FAW-Volkswagen CC to continue its niche+mid-range route in China.

(2021?FAW-Volkswagen CC?Hunter Edition)

The reason why the Volkswagen Group would have such considerations is simply that the position of those traditional core attributes of the car within the big group has been fundamentally shaken, which is something that fans of the brand have actually experienced most clearly. Thinking rationally, this is not an unmitigated bad thing, after all, as a company, in order to be able to survive, especially in a more hostile environment at the moment, the necessary courage to break the arm is necessary. For the success of ID.3 and ID.4, the necessary sacrifices, even if they are cruel, are non-negotiable and unquestionable.

(2020?Volkswagen?ID.3?1st?Edition?[UK])

While this is a serious statement, it's not final, so we don't have to rush to feel sorry for those who are "dedicated" consumers. However, I do hope that Volkswagen will make some adjustments in the future, such as allowing the European market to sell as many politically correct cars as possible, such as ID.3 and ID.4, and then use these politically correct profits to support the most traditional Passat sedan B9, B10, and the fourth and fifth generation of the EA888 and other engine families in China.

(2021?Volkswagen?ID.4?1st?Edition)

This would have several benefits: it would make clear that Volkswagen attaches the greatest importance to the Chinese market; and it would reverse the long-standing resentment of Chinese consumers, who have come to hate foreign brands that make money in the Chinese market by making "crappy" cars. "in the Chinese market to make money, and then in the negative perception of the overseas dash; Finally, overseas was "abandoned" Passat, Golf and other once the brand's foundation models continue to thrive in the Chinese market, and ID. family members, is not exactly " Volkswagen orthodoxy in China" is the best example?

(Passat breaks 30-million-vehicle production record)

What do you think will be the ultimate fate of the Passat?

Feel free to share give me your reasoning!

An appreciation of the beauty of all generations

(1973~1980?Passat?B1)

(1980~1988?Passat?B2)

(1988~1995?Passat?B3)

(1995~1996?Passat?B4)

(1996~2005?Passat?B5)

(2000~2005?Passat?W8?B5.5)

(2005~2010?Passat?R36?B6)

(2010~2015?Passat?B7)

(2015 ~present?Passat?B8)

This article comes from the authors of Automobile House Car Family, and does not represent the viewpoint position of Automobile House.