VW Polo Long-Wheel-Base Hatch and Sedan Versions to be Built for US Market

 VW Polo Long-Wheel-Base Hatch and Sedan Versions to be Built for US Market
Volkswagen Polo MkV in Geneva with American pop artist Pink

Volkswagen is planning to produce and sell two versions of the next-generation MkV Polo in the United States. Next to the Polo hatchback there will be a sedan which is likely to be built at the VW plant in Puebla, Mexico so as to fall within indicative prices of between $13,000 and $15,000 USD.

Speaking to Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby, Automotive News quotes the man as saying the Polo will sit on a longer wheelbase and stand taller than its European brother. This is because the Polo is still too small for US buyers according to Jacoby. The Polo is smaller than the Golf/ Rabbit.

"It's [the Polo] more like a cross between a compact minivan and a hatchback," said Jacoby. "In other words, it's more like the Honda Fit."

These plans will put the Polo on a collision course with cars like the Honda Fit, as well as the Toyota Yaris which also has a sedan version. In a number of world markets the current, as well as previous-generation Polo, also came with a sedan twin. Some countries even got three-door and coupe.

The new-generation VW Polo was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva International Motor Show and is expected to go on sale later this year. US sales should begin in 2010.

 

Source: autonews.com (subs req)

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 IKA595 IKA595
I like such style of polo,that car would be most popular in that class
March 16, 2009 2:27 pm
 great_supercars255 great_supercars255
yer i agree
March 16, 2009 4:14 pm
 911fnatic 911fnatic
What a classy interior, wow!
March 16, 2009 4:18 pm
 yavin4 yavin4
Yawn... It looks soooo much like a Golf that it is not worth considering for style. VW has lost all their imagination.
March 16, 2009 5:21 pm
 Grey Grey
great idea bringing this car to the US. the Golf's price is getting way out of control!
March 16, 2009 5:36 pm
 politz politz
The sedan version was already being developed for the Latin American market, and will probably be built in Mexico or Brazil. The 'taller' version is meant to be something like the Polo Plus for the european market, to battle the likes of the Citroen C3 Picasso or the Nissan Note. There is already a Golf Plus over there, wich has more space than the regular Golf, but is not actually a minivan.
March 16, 2009 6:19 pm
 ivanadrive ivanadrive
Polo too small? The current Polo is about the same size as the Yaris, which is not too small for the US market...
March 16, 2009 8:43 pm
 FSR FSR
Longer wheel base to make it look more like the Honda Fit? I hate that cars that look like miniature mini vans!
March 16, 2009 9:23 pm
 Mississauga Mississauga
What a stupid looking VW car....
March 17, 2009 12:20 pm