Volkswagen Phaeton may come back to the U.S. as a diesel

September 16, 2009September 16, 2009 Omar Rana Diesels, Sedans, Volkswagen Phaeton

Speaking to the press at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen Group of America’s CEO, Stephen Jacoby, said that the company is considering bringing back the Phaeton luxury sedan back to the United States with a diesel powertrain. He said that Volkswagen is eager to reverse the decision to pull the slow-selling $70,000 plus sedan from the U.S. market.

“I have to admit that it was a mistake to take this car out of the market,” Jacoby said. “We think that the Volkswagen brand is a good place for this. We are looking at various alternatives for the re-launch of Phaeton.”

He said that during the Cash for Clunkers program, there was a strong demand for diesel and that a diesel Phaeton might work as a high-tech, fuel-efficient sedan in the U.S., reports Automotive News.

We’re guessing pricing will remain around $70,000 or will go up even more. Launched in 2003, Volkswagen sold just 1,939 units of the Phaeton in 2004 before yanking it from the market by 2007.

– By: Omar Rana