Are Volkswagen car designs genuinely German?

Question

beacuse I heard a rumour that VW have been trying to emulate the Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda - is that true?

Answer 1

Here's a test: go back 10 years and compare BMW 3 series with Nissan Sentra -- the Sentra has been (in a very subtle way) trying to be a poor man's 325 since 1990. As much as Germany would love to recapture the hearts of the American car buyer I don't think they need (or would want to ) copy asian or American automobiles. It's the passion of design they have lost with America -- much like Chevrolet.

Answer 2

I hate to disagree with everyone here, but the latest generation of VWs are beginning to take styling cues from Japanese cars. The taillights on the newest Jetta are very close to the Toyota Corolla's and the dashboards (which I think were the 2000-2005 Jettas best feature) have become more square and flat: Like the Mazda 3 or 6. If you disagree, look up pictures of both on the web.

Believe me, this isn't coming from a VW hater- I have had VWs for the last 15 plus years.

Every car manufacture will attempt to "borrow" styling from other cars from time to time. European cars tend to be imitated more often (Especially Mercedes or BMW), whereas Asian cars tend to imitate more often. At least VW isn't like BMW and taking styling cues for their newest cars from older Ponitac Grand Ams.

Answer 3

I have been driving Volkswagens for years and all are built in Germany except for some of the V.W. Rabbit which was made here in the United States. Volkswagen is too proud to emulate the Japanese brands..Most companies are jealous of the German car Volkswagen..so am guessing they will copy from V.W.

Answer 4

All the cars driven in America that were bought in America are genuinely American. They build cars to appeal to the culture of an area...in this case, VW is building their cars that are sold in the U.S. based on what most Americans like to buy...which is Toyota's and Honda's.

Hopefully that answers your question :)

Look at Chevrolet's and Ford's sold in Europe...they dont look a DARN thing like the CHevy's and Ford's sold in the U.S.

Just an example.

Answer 5

Yes,100% German.Although we build cars in factorys all over the world,V W is a German company.Like any car company,we design and offer features for the market we are trying to reach.So,cars we offer in the US,may not have the same look as cars we sell in other countries.With all global auto makers you can see the same trend.We all emulate each other to some degree.It is just marketing. [e-mail]

Answer 6

Actually,it was designed by Ferdinand Porsche FOR Hitler.He wanted a car that was cheap,so everyone could drive.He also wanted to be able to stand and wave to crowds in it.He didn't design it himself though. Volkswagon means "the people's car"

Answer 7

Except for the Karmann-Ghias that were designed by Italians.

Answer 8

The Beetle was created by Hitler for the people of germany...
that is how porsche got its look, from the beetle