VW: Future product blueprint for niche models

As reported earlier VW might produce future niche models in Portugal. And now it seems that chairman Wolfgang Bernhard already has set up an internal plan, called "Hut" (means hat in English), to place a unique exterior, or hat, over vehicles that share underpinnings.

The strategy is "to offer different models with a single change of the sides and roof parts, without changing platforms," Emilio Saenz, managing director of VW's Autoeuropa assembly plant in Portugal, told Automotive News Europe, a sister publication to Automotive News.

Autoeuropa is a leading candidate to produce VW's niche vehicles, sources say.

In the next three years, VW will launch as many as 10 vehicles that either will be based on derivatives of current cars or will be niche models.

The first vehicles using the Hut plan will be "Cross" versions of current models that will offer distinct styling and unique engines but similar underpinnings as mainstream models. The first example, a Cross Polo, will be unveiled at the Geneva auto show in February, followed by the Cross Golf Plus in July and Cross Fox later next year. All Cross versions will have styling that is different from mainstream models and meant to attract younger buyers.

Among planned niche vehicles are a Golf-based coupe called the Scirocco, due in 2008, and a four-door coupe-style vehicle based on the Passat that will be similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The Passat coupe should be in showrooms by 2009.