New Volkswagen Golf delayed until mid-2014!

VW is showing once again that they don't care about North America. I was thinking about getting the new GTI, but I'm not going to wait for the arrogant Germans to graciously let us have it for 2015 model year.

According to Car and Driver, “Rainer Michel, Volkswagen of America’s vice president of product marketing and strategy confirmed the delay, pushing American deliveries nearly 18 months behind Europe.”

“Michel said that given how crucial the Golf MkVII is to the company’s European fortunes—the Golf is the brand in Europe—the Germans want to avoid unnecessary manufacturing complications at launch, including building U.S.-spec vehicles.” – reports Car and Driver.

Oh really, Mr. Michel? And the Golf is not crucial to VW’s North American ambitious expansion plans? And what’s with the lame “avoid unnecessary manufacturing complications” excuse? Manufacturing complications? I thought the Germans, especially VW, were experts at manufacturing.

These are the Volkswagen Group’s brands: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Škoda and Volkswagen. The Group builds 8.5 million cars per year and it employs half a million people. Manufacturing complications? That’s a sick arrogant joke, Mr. Michel.

Volkswagen is making the same mistake over and over again. They say they are serious about North America, they make an effort (like building the new Passat in sufficient numbers here) and then they blow it with an 18-month delay of their iconic hatch’s new design introduction. I don’t get it meine Herren. Start being accountable here, or Toyota, Honda and Hyundai will shred your ambitious sales targets.