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Better go with Toyota

If Apple wants to go for an ICar they should go with Toyota, marketing position and segment is already there with Scion.
 
Volkswagen Brands include ;

Audi (D)
Bentley (GB)
Bugatti (F)
Škoda (CZ)
Lamborghini (I)
SEAT (E)
Volkswagen (D)
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (D)

and 51% of Proton...

...and the whole group is 31% owned by Porsche


I'd say this is a BIG DEAL -

This could have serious stock impact - further enhances the ipod as an industry standard - Global brand elevation for Apple - Opens up new markets and new partnerships on many levels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Group
 
I wonder what the iPod integration is now...I think last year at the "It's Showtime" event Jobs said it was 70% of new cars sold in the U.S.? I bet it's over 90% now.

When they first announced iPod integration and whatever the low percentage rate was, Jobs was very enthusiastic about that little number. So maybe he's really into this new deal?

-=|Mgkwho
 
Audi is owned by VW, and always has been. They started the "upscale" car companies before the Japanese ever did.
They just never bragged that they owned them.

Look at Honda, they love to tell you they make Acura. Thanks, but a TSX is an Accord just rebadged. Toyota is Lexus, and Nissan is Infiniti, but they love to tell you this. While most people that aren't into cars, think Audi is Audi and only Audi. They are part of the VW Auto Group.

They also own SEAT and Skoda. Every car maker has their quirks, VW is known for electrical issues. I will say the fit and finish is better then some Honda, Toyotas, and Nissans. My girlfriend owns a 2004 Accord, and she keeps it clean, but the interior is starting to show quickly. Same thing goes for my good friends 2005 Accord V6, interior is already falling apart and the NAV unit is a black screen. It all depends on luck sometimes.

I can say some things on the VW are impressive, I have one touch up and down on all four windows, can you get that on a Honda? No. Does a Honda Accord sound like a tin can when you shut the trunk? Yes. Does your air go into recirc mode automatically when you go in reverse so you don't suck in your exhaust when backing up in a Honda, Toyota or Nissan? No. As mentioned earlier, DSG transmissions will be coming more into play in the future since most people can't drive manual anymore. I drive a stick personally, and will for sometime.

It's the little things that sometime impress you and wonder why someone would spend 2,000 more on a car with less features. I'll take my VW over a Honda Accord coupe anyday in regards to what I get for the price.
 
Clive, my apologies for killing your joke. Looks like my lunch was a little earlier.

No hard feelings, honest.

... but I thought you were serious!

Some people are ridiculous enough to hold off buying a car because they heard Apple was working on an iCar. :rolleyes:

Idiots.

-Clive
 
from personal experience, I had a 2004 Jetta 1.8t which was perfect for me. I dorve it from Chicago to Tulsa for 3 years once a month, and then everywhere around the city. I had a few problems which VW fixed for free. I really did not care, as long as they were fixed. I just traded it in for an Audi A3, and i could not be happier. I expect the same service that i received from Volkswagen(practically the same company). If anything should go wrong, warranty will cover it.
 
Haha wow! Most of the people in here should stick to computers as it seems very few know ANYTHING about cars.

VW has been threatening to pull out of North America for the past 25 years, but hasn't ever come close to doing so yet.

VW owners are more likely to own Mac's than any other car buyer. This would back up the notion that VW is the “Mac” of the car world. I can’t believe anyone would think Toyota is! Toyota builds the most bland and unintuitive point A to point B vehicles around. They’re extremely reliable, but not much more.

VW and Apple certainly market towards and attract the same type of people. They both make product slightly more luxurious (more bells and whistles) than the norm at a slightly higher price. They are both notorious for horrible customer service and are both known to have fanatical fans.

I’d say they are a perfect fit.
 
Clive, that is true. That makes no sense to hold off on a car purchase for some small little add on. As for myself, I plan to keep my car, because I actually enjoy it regardless of what VW and Apple might have in the works.

I know Google and VW displayed a new NAV unit that used Google Maps. It was pretty sick, but that won't make me hold off and wait.

I personally am looking to getting an Audi next myself if I don't end up going with a Passat with 4motion. It all depends on how long I keep my current VW, and what the body styles look like.
 
Slicecom, sounds like how for years people keep saying Apple is going under. How many times has that been predicted?

From what I've noticed Mac owners are passionate about their computers, and the company. I would say same goes for VW owners. I will never buy a PC after finally owning my first Mac. I'm passionate about my laptop and Apple. Got my former roommate to break down and get a MacBook, and he uses it for work and he's in the IT field so you know he deals with mostly Windows. He likes the flexibility of it, since he deals with windows and linux environments. My Mom is next in line for a MacBook, and I'm sure I can get Pops to go for an iMac after he experiences the ease of use.

I love my 5G iPod, do I need another one? No, but if the new iPods are anything like the rumors, do I plan to get one. Of course.

Do I need a new cell phone? No, but the iPhone makes my Treo look like a giant turd. Plus, with the iPhone that's makes one less thing in my pockets, and I can keep the larger iPod with more storage at home.

Will I buy a VW again? Sure. Am I passionate about my Jetta, definitely. That's why I putting in some Euro parts for it, so it doesn't look like the NA version. Euro Switch, Euro LED tails, fog lights, Euro springs, and spoiler are in the works. All stock VW parts. Is it a little extra money? Sure, but it's worth it.
 
That's it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have had it first i read they are bringing back el caminos and now the icar, both as i have jokingly predicted for years now.


I am moving to the moutains this is too much for me! :eek:
 
I'd rather a German car than an American one :p In fact i'd rather have a Japanese one....which I do. Toyota Aygo. Don't think any current small VW offerings are particularly exciting, its always the Japs making fun cars. (The mini aint 'fun' or 'quirky' anymore...

I hope you realize that American cars are among the best quality cars you can find. And you do realize that Toyota trucks are made here in America as well. And you do realize that Ford owns Jaguar, owned Aston Martin up until only a few months ago, Volvo, 1/3 of Mazda, Land Rover and a few others. Chrysler owns Mercedes. Don't believe me? Look it up. And speaking of Japanese cars... The only company I would ever buy from is Toyota/Lexus.

Also... (if you consider racing as proof) If you look at Le Mans Series racing Standings for 2007 you will find that the 2 leading cars are American cars; Saleen S7-R & Corvette C6.R. The S7-R also holds the single lap record at Le Mans. Also... the C5.R/C6.R has won 5 out of the last 6 races at Le Mans (A freaking 24 hour race!!! If thats not a display of quality I dont know what is)

Although I do admit I would look at Japanese cars before I even think about buying a European Car (sorry but its true)
 
VW has been threatening to pull out of North America for the past 25 years, but hasn't ever come close to doing so yet.

Most of the probelms in VW had been a power struggle between Ferdinand Karl Piëch vs. VW blood sucking suits trying to suck every penny of profit from Volkswagen Cars by making cheaper cars to compete with the japaneese market.
 
I'm about to get rid of a 2000 Passat that has had no end of problems. Every time we take it in for a routine oil change, inspection, or whatever, we end up with a $700-plus repair bill. The killer was the most recent one: the check engine light came on, and the repair shop says it's a $2500 replacement of the catalytic converters. Within the next couple weeks I'll be buying a Toyota or Honda.

Wow, I just changed the catalytic converter on my car this week for $250.
 
Slicecom, sounds like how for years people keep saying Apple is going under. How many times has that been predicted?

From what I've noticed Mac owners are passionate about their computers, and the company. I would say same goes for VW owners. I will never buy a PC after finally owning my first Mac. I'm passionate about my laptop and Apple. Got my former roommate to break down and get a MacBook, and he uses it for work and he's in the IT field so you know he deals with mostly Windows. He likes the flexibility of it, since he deals with windows and linux environments. My Mom is next in line for a MacBook, and I'm sure I can get Pops to go for an iMac after he experiences the ease of use.

I love my 5G iPod, do I need another one? No, but if the new iPods are anything like the rumors, do I plan to get one. Of course.

Do I need a new cell phone? No, but the iPhone makes my Treo look like a giant turd. Plus, with the iPhone that's makes one less thing in my pockets, and I can keep the larger iPod with more storage at home.

Will I buy a VW again? Sure. Am I passionate about my Jetta, definitely. That's why I putting in some Euro parts for it, so it doesn't look like the NA version. Euro Switch, Euro LED tails, fog lights, Euro springs, and spoiler are in the works. All stock VW parts. Is it a little extra money? Sure, but it's worth it.

Haha awesome man, notice how many people even in this thread are talking about how they own a VW or Audi. Here's my "gay" car: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2167514

Thank god I'm secure enough in my masculinity and straight sexual orientation to drive it. :rolleyes:
 
makes sense....

i always though this should be apple's next frontier. they control our home media and our portable media. the car is the only thing left.
it would be nicer if it was not tied to a car company, but i guess they could get more control that way.
imagine getting in you car and popping in your ipod, like a big 8-track.
suddenly your radio screen comes on with front-row. all your music, videos, photos, contacts, notes. a google maps gps system with steve jobs voice. a built in speaker phone / voice dial that uses your iphone. check youe email with your steering wheel. i tie in to your car computer, so your apple system can tell you when something is broke on your car and then pop up a google page on how to best fix it.... i am sold!
 
I thought I read something similar to this earlier this year on here that it was mentioned in a German car magazine.
 
Whoa! Chrysler does not own Mercedes, Mercedes bought them, lost money and sold them to a private firm here in the past few months. Let's not get too crazy with who owns who now.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070803/FREE/70803012/1024

Ford is not know for quality, and neither has Jaguar. Granted Ford owns a lot of car companies and has stake in a good amount if they don't own a majority, but that doesn't mean they make quality cars. If they did, I don't think they would be in the trouble they are now. GM at least was a little smarter by staying mostly domestic, the only foreign entity I'm aware of is Saab. Top of quality listing is Lexus and Buick, and they tied for reliability. Yes, I typed Buick and that's an American company. Granted at the same time you should since you've made the same exact car for close to two decades now. If you can't get it right by now, then you should give up.
 
Wow, I just changed the catalytic converter on my car this week for $250.

Do you have a volkswagen? EVERYTHING on a VW is more expensive.

No, it's not my mechanic. Repair costs for my Plymouth Voyager (not itself a very reliable vehicle) run about 1/3 the cost.
 
Wow, I just changed the catalytic converter on my car this week for $250.

Yeah and if he didn't get his car serviced at the stealership, he'd realize that for $250, he could buy and install a stainless steel, higher than OEM quality, aftermarket, high-flow cat for his car (x2 if you have 2). And he could have prevented any damage to the cat if he didn't run his car with a bad MAF (99% of the time, this is what destroys the cat in VW's).

VW's aren't like Toyotas, if you neglect them, they will bite you, but with a little preventative maintenance, they will last just as long.
 
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