Jenna Baughman
1.) In my honest opinion, I think VW being the world’s #1 automaker is slightly obtainable. One
reason I know personally affects VW vehicles is their reliability. They are known to have
mechanical issues. Otherwise, they’re very popular, standard, fuel-efficient vehicles. Some of
their other brands they own are much more upscale and are harder to obtain, which sets them
back a bit. Also, as the years continue, the market is shifting mostly everywhere to self-driving or
electric vehicles. I’m not sure if VW has rolled out any models that fit this status quo, but if they
haven’t, they will definitely begin to fall behind.
2.) I think it’s a smart move considering there are many people that trust German, or European,
built vehicles over many other manufactured vehicles across the globe. I think something a bit
more memorable and catchier would have been a bit more effective. Or if they would approach
something that has more to do with cost efficiency and fuel efficiency, like they try so hard to
promote, may have been a better fit.
3.) Toyota, Ford, and Chevy are the top three brands at least I think that are globally popular.
Toyota especially. With so many makes and models of diverse vehicles that include more
reliability, fuel efficiency, and are less specific with their consumer market target, it will be hard
to compete.
4.) According to the text, they continue to threaten production jobs and have had a history of
unreliable men in charge of VW’s big brand. I think they think big, and it has gotten them to
where they are today, but the controversy they have faced with their radical decisions make it
hard for people to trust them, and may even instill a lack of trust in their previous employees,
which makes up for tens of thousands of people, who may vow to not buy from a company that
misguided them and treated them poorly. They also buy parts at the lowest low of prices
without much take on the reliability of these products, which is great for someone looking for a
low-cost vehicle, but not if they realize they make up for the price gap in the amount of work
they need to put into their vehicle.