Seen a few adds here in Canada for the VW Taos.  Wasn’t really paying attention but first thoughts were “hang on, Skoda doesn’t sell here” as if looks so like a Karoq apart from the front end styling.  Karoq in a VW frock or something different?

Edited 27 September, 20223 yr by DSL

They're all the same platform. To my eyes the Taos closely resembles a SEAT Ateca.

Edited 27 September, 20223 yr by kodiaqsportline

Why don’t they sell Skoda over there? Seem to like VW and Audi vehicles though which are the same under the skin just cost more.

Historically Audi had a poor reputation in North America. Even today, they only have an incredibly small share of the market.

 

VW on the other hand, they have the advantage of having facilities all over North America. Being well established, they also have a much larger share of the market. The company is called VW Groupof America.

 

My guess? Could importing SEAT + SKODA be that much cheaper than a home built VW? Not such a problem for Audi - they're already a premium price product. Could they compete with the 'value for money cars' from the Korean's and Japanese ( who also build cars in North America ). 

Edited 27 September, 20223 yr by kodiaqsportline

19 hours ago, kodiaqsportline said:

Historically Audi had a poor reputation in North America. Even today, they only have an incredibly small share of the market.

 

VW on the other hand, they have the advantage of having facilities all over North America. Being well established, they also have a much larger share of the market. The company is called VW Groupof America.

 

My guess? Could importing SEAT + SKODA be that much cheaper than a home built VW? Not such a problem for Audi - they're already a premium price product. Could they compete with the 'value for money cars' from the Korean's and Japanese ( who also build cars in North America ). 

Thanks.

I didn’t know that VW built cars in USA.

I suppose the popularity of the Beetle and iconic early minibus in beach areas can only help.

Seen a good few VWs over here, mix of Tiguans, bigger VW SUVs and “normal” cars, but only few Audis.  Really rare, but out there, would be modern Volvos.  Lots and lots and lots of Far Eastern, incl our Corolla hire car, and almost as many Yank Tank pickups & SUVs.  Deffo no Skodas.  Strangely enough also seen one UK car, an old defender, a Dutch campervan and a Swiss pickup/camper pod combo.   Hmmmmmm, wonder if Skippy would like a long ferry ride.

Saw one one in the flesh today, deffo more like an Ateca than Karoq, mostly from the rearmost side window.  Didn’t get a good look, was in the back if a minibus as it passed going the other way.  Will keep eyes peeled when back in drivers seat from tomorrow onwards.  Getting bored with mentally ticking off Canadian province and US state plates. 👍

Yes, it is closely related to the Ateca/Karoq

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Taos

 

Quote

The Taos/Tharu is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB A1, with its platform closely related and several sheet metals shared with the SEAT Ateca, Škoda Karoq and the Jetta VS5.^[9] Known as the 'Project Tarek' during development, the Taos/Tharu is considered the first Chinese-developed VW product that is sold outside China. Volkswagen's brand sales chief Jürgen Stackmann said the project "turned from a regional project into a global project." Global annual sales for the vehicle were projected at 400,000 units

 

Edited 1 October, 20223 yr by phope

Vw are cancelling Seat very soon the brand is dead . So they will need to use the designs in other markets, to max out the potential profit. Vw Toas is born as seat ateca dies. 

Edited 22 October, 20232 yr by wirral cars