Volkswagen's Passat to be cheaper, larger 06/01/2011
Volkswagen appears to be employing a new strategy with the redesigns of its most popular models, as the German automaker announced that its 2012 Passat will follow in the Jetta's footsteps by being sold at a much lower price point than the previous model.
When a new car comes out, automakers tend to charge more for it than their predecessor, unless the car is aimed at a budget market or some significant changes have been made. Both of those apply here, as the Passat will reportedly retail for approximately $20,000 - nearly $7,000 less than the current model.
"The 2012 Passat is a true Volkswagen, offering German engineering, class-leading standard features, and superior fuel economy, all for a remarkable value," said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen's American branch.
Obviously, the two models aren't exactly the same - drivers will likely lose a bit of power and some standard features due to the switch. However, Volkswagen has made some improvements despite the price drop. For starters, USA Today reports that the car is much larger than the previous version - likely a result of the criticism Volkswagen received for the previous Passat, which was deemed quite small for a midsize sedan.