| Volkswagen AG, Europe's biggest automaker, | | | | decided on a location yet. |
| forecast record sales after deliveries in 2007 go | | | | "We have made a lot of mistakes in the U.S.,'' Stefan |
| beyond six million units for the first time on increased | | | | Jacoby, said at the NAIAS briefing. "But we're a part |
| demand for Skoda and VW vehicles. | | | | of American pop culture. We have a one-time chance |
| Group deliveries surged 7.9 percent last year to 6.19 | | | | to turn this around.'' |
| million cars and SUVs from 5.73 million in 2006, CEO | | | | "They do have some momentum,'' said Rebecca |
| Martin Winterkorn said at a Detroit Auto Show briefing. | | | | Lindland, senior automotive analyst with Global Insight |
| The CEO said that he plans to boost the | | | | Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. "They have people |
| Volkswagen's global sales in 2007 by adding models in | | | | looking at Volkswagen again.'' |
| a bid to take on Toyota Motor Corp. According to | | | | "They have a chance if they stay true to their German |
| Bloomberg, among the new offerings are a minivan for | | | | heritage,'' she added. "VW is a brand that people want |
| the United States built jointly with Chrysler LLC, a | | | | to root for. It has a certain charisma and appeal.'' |
| remake of the Scirocco sports hatchback and the | | | | Last year, the sales of Volkswagen brand in America |
| coupe-styled four-door Passat CC, which Winterkorn | | | | dived 1.9 percent to 230,572 cars and SUVs, led by a |
| premiered in Detroit. | | | | 31 percent plunge in demand for the mid-sized Passat |
| Even as the Wolfsburg, Germany-based company | | | | and a 12 percent drop for the Beetle, the automaker |
| expands worldwide, Volkswagen remains struggling in | | | | was earlier quoted as saying. |
| America. In 2006, the automakers loss in North | | | | But the maker of VW oil pan gaskets intends to |
| American loss was $897 million. | | | | improve sales in the U.S. by launching products that |
| The automaker said that it will decide in the first half | | | | tickles the fancies of American aficionados. "We are |
| whether to build a factory in North America, | | | | working on a new compact sedan and a mid-sized |
| Winterkorn said, adding that the company has not | | | | sedan for the American customer,'' Winterkorn noted. |