VOLKSWAGEN continues to build up its model portfolio, launching the Golf GTI just last week, and is set to expand its lineup further this year.
John Philip Orbeta, president of Automobile Central Enterprise Inc., told reporters at the launch of its new performance car on Thursday that 2015 will be a year of aggressive launches, (both new models and variants) on the part of Volkswagen.
“There will be a lot of launches this year. We’re introducing the high-end Touareg and the new Passat B8 in the Philippines in the third quarter. We bringing in some of our automatic versions of previous cars, like the Jetta,” Orbeta said.
The premium German brand has already launched the Polo hatchback, its subcompact hatchback offering, which is expected to be one of the sales driver of Volkswagen this year as it is the most affordable automatic-transmission bid of the auto firm at P950,000.
The European manufacturer is aiming at a triple-digit sales growth this year, from the 600 units sold in 2014.
Volume-drivers last year were the Tiguan and the Volkswagen Beetle.
Aside from an automatic variant of the Jetta, a regular version of the Volkswagen Golf, is also to be expected this year.
GTI, Orbeta said, refers to the performance engine that the model is equipped with, and as such, will cater to a niche market of automotive enthusiasts.
Orbeta kept mum on the sales outlook for the Golf GTI as Volkswagen is the period of market-testing its new introductions but hopes reception will be good among premium car buyers.
The model is priced at P2.9 million, while its more affordable counterpart, the regular Volkswagen Golf to be introduced this year, is estimated to be around P1.7 million to P1.8 million.
The GTI is available in five colors: Oryx White Pearl, Tornado Red, Night Blue, Limestone Grey and Deep Black Pearl.
So far, the German auto firm has the following models: the Polo (hatchback and sedan variants), the Jetta (manual transmission variant), the Beetle (manual and automatic), the Touran, Tiguan (two variants), Touareg (regular variant) and the Golf GTI.