Kudos to Volkswagen
I have been writing a series of articles lately for a client about various Volkswagen models. In my writings I have learned that the VW Rabbit name is once again being used in the North American market instead of Golf, the term used nearly universally to describe VW’s compact car.
Starting at $14,990, the “new” Rabbit is priced to compete with some of the lowest priced offerings from Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. More than that, in a bid to stimulate sales the running Rabbit icon has been brought back to evoke a nostalgic reason to purchase the Rabbit.
I never cared much for the Golf name as I am sure most North American consumers thought that the Rabbit was a better name for the car. Apparently, Volkswagen of America is in agreement with this observation and the name has been resurrected. Best wishes to VW for a successful redeployment of a model name that was used once, discarded, and is back again.
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SEMA Show Opens On October 31st
Billed as the premier automotive specialty products show, SEMA will be holding its annual convention beginning tomorrow at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show will run through Friday, November 3, 2006.
Known as the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association or SEMA, the annual show gives its more than 6,000 member companies the opportunity to tout their latest products for the automotive, truck, SUV, marine and RV markets. Exhibits include performance parts, restoration, tools and equipment, off-roading, and much more.
SEMA claims to represent a market that spends more than $31 billion annually on parts, accessories, and other aftermarket or specialty products.
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WTO Takes on China’s Auto Parts Tariffs
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has taken China to task for their excessive tariffs on imported auto parts. Complaints from Canada, the U.S. and the European Union has prompted the WTO to look into the matter, particularly after China slapped on a 28% import tax on unfinished vehicles, the same amount it charges on completed cars. China claims that the tax on unfinished vehicles is meant to clamp down on companies seeking to skirt the completed car tax by shipping cars to China that fall just short of being finished according to Forbes magazine.
In response to the complaints, the WTO has established an auto parts tariff panel to review the matter.
According to their site the WTO is:
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.
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