Volkswagen considers (50+ mpg) Up! model for U.S. market

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-autos/idUSN0851930320090408

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG (VOWG.DE) could launch the Up! mini-car in the United States, the German automaker's U.S. Chief Executive Stefan Jacoby said on Wednesday.

"Up! could be in the future of the market here," Jacoby said at the New York Auto Show. "In urban areas like New York, a car like Up! has a good chance."

Volkswagen expects to introduce the car as a 2012 model, but is still deciding where to build it and in which countries to sell it.

The Up! was first seen as a two-door hatchback concept vehicle at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show and is expected to have a fuel-efficiency of more than 50 miles per gallon.

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[CanonRay]

1. Two years ago in England

I rented a VW Jetta diesel and got 52mpg driving all over for 10 days. I tried to get one here, and guess what, they don't sell them. I don't get it.

[dipsydoodle]

2. We've already got plenty of cars like that in Europe

Didn't think they were very popular over your side,

[predfan]

3. We never have had leaders who'd use the bully pulpit for anything other than gas guzzlers.

Maybe we're about to change things.

[Strelnikov_]

4. Nice form factor for an EV

Maybe they would consider alternate powertrains.

Probably leveraging what they learned from the Lupo.

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/printer_319.shtml