VW Phaeton Assembly (more car stuff) - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

PC Dave · #16 10-07-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trakehner

PC Dave, the Phaeton is no longer being manufactured, check it out on some of the message boards from Germany that concern VW. VW didn't really know how to market them. There are about 200 Phaetons sitting on a lot near Wolfsburg, rusted brakes and everything, VW just lets them sit there.

Yes, VW discontinued their shipments of Phaetons to the US market and made this announcement in November of 2005, but soon after that production of the car stopped. I know an American group went over to Dresden to visit the factory and from what I read VW officials weren't very forthcoming with info about the future of Phaeton

Trakehner, I think that info is wrong, do you have an english-language link that could verify cessation of Phaeton production? I just did some quick searches, and the VW sites in the UK and Germany both list the Phaeton as available in several configurations, the Glass Factory's web site is completely Phaeton-Centric (www.glasernemanufaktur.de), the Phaeton is being displayed by VW at the Paris Auto Show (which is going on right now), and there's a thread on the VW Vortex Phaeton Forum from a guy in the UK who just took delivery of his MY2007 Phaeton at the factory in September, lots of other Phaetons were in various stages of production during his tour.

I know about the American group that went to Dresden, I was originally signed up to go on that trip, and I know most of those people from a Phaeton Forum GTG at VWUSA HQ last year. I haven't heard anything from any of them about the Phaeton being discontinued.

PC Dave · #17 10-07-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

How come they dont just sell them as an Audi?

Long and painful story, summed up in three words: Ferdinand Piech's ego.

Hatterasguy · #18 10-07-2006, 08:38 PM

Very cool, I see a bunch of those things running around town. Neat looking car, but unfortunitly VW found out that you need a badge to sell in that price range. If that car had four rings on the trunk it probably would have sold well.

That factory would give GM wet dreams.

#19 10-07-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

That factory would give GM wet dreams.

Sending Mexicans to China to work in a factory run by Koreans would give GM wet dreams.

Hatterasguy · #20 10-07-2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Sending Mexicans to China to work in a factory run by Koreans would give GM wet dreams.

I can see it now, $.02 per hour labor costs, think of the profits!

Mike552 · #21 10-08-2006, 02:17 AM

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble... but all these pictures are just propaganda. I mean, c'mon...

picture 1 through 6 - staged photo ads
picture 7 - guy standing on hardwood floor next to a computer pretending to do something to an empty car shell
picture 8 through 14: more guys tinkering with the interior, doing simple labor duties.. installing small interior parts...
PICTURE 15: WHERE DID THAT PRE ASSEMBLED HYBRID UNIT COME FROM????
picture 16-21: "oh yeah, it all looks good" the car is magically ready. WTF????

#22 10-08-2006, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike552

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble... but all these pictures are just propaganda. I mean, c'mon...

picture 1 through 6 - staged photo ads
picture 7 - guy standing on hardwood floor next to a computer pretending to do something to an empty car shell
picture 8 through 14: more guys tinkering with the interior, doing simple labor duties.. installing small interior parts...
PICTURE 15: WHERE DID THAT PRE ASSEMBLED HYBRID UNIT COME FROM????
picture 16-21: "oh yeah, it all looks good" the car is magically ready. WTF????

I would hate to burst your bubble but the Ferrari factory is just as clean.

Mike552 · #23 10-08-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

I would hate to burst your bubble but the Ferrari factory is just as clean.

Umm... I'd have to diagree with you there. I'm sure you've been there and that's your opinion, but I've been there too and although it's clean, it's by no means THAT clean. Actually, I have a good friend that works there and he just sent me a Piston and valve from an F50 which they recently overhauled.... cool stuff!

raymr · #24 10-08-2006, 10:55 AM

Keep in mind this building is really not a factory, but an assembly point, designed to wow visitors. The body and drivetrain manufacturing, ie welding, stamping, and machining, are done at other locations and I doubt they are nearly as clean and impressive.

This is also the kind of place that VW will shut down first if it hits hard times. It costs big bucks keeping everything pristine and all that glass polished.

It reminds me of the Intelsat glass building in DC which is being sold after 10 years of spiraling maintenance costs.

#25 10-08-2006, 01:13 PM

iwrock · #26 10-08-2006, 02:31 PM

Here ya go!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6457427583913966018

The factory is spotless, however the place where the make the parts is kinda dirty.