VW Malaysia is really investing in Malaysia. I say this because
they've launched the all-new New Volkswagen Beetle with a whole lot of
fanfare and hoohaa. The reason I say this is that the launch isn't just
limited to members of the media but to the general public too.
Last
weekend VW did hourly presentations to media as well as members of the
public who had bothered to register their attendance for the event
titled 'The Icon is back'. It was a big thing as VW started with a video
presentation showing the original Bug and then interviewed local
celebrities as well as VW Beetle owners. The curtains was then raised to
reveal the all-new New Beetle together with some dancers and some lady
singer belting out some number stating that 'the icon is back'.
After
that little show and dance number which also featured Beetles driving
to and from the stage the audience was led to an area where the new
Beetle was displayed together with VW's other models which included the
first showing of the Volkswagen Amarok 4x4 pickup truck and some people
carriers that I have absolutely no interest in whatsoever. The Amarok (
pictured below) is
a pretty good looking truck though and VW was gauging its response by
inviting people to give their opinions on it via a handheld device. I
did my best to answer it anyway, stating that "I'd like one in yellow
please".
And what do I think about the new Bug then?
It's a Volkswagen. It has the same high quality build that we're used to
and it looks like a Beetle although I still think they haven't nailed
it like how Fiat has done so with the 500 or how BMW has done it with
the Mini. It is still a feminine looking car and if you were a straight
guy who intends to buy this as his only car, you may be defined as,
errr, not so straight after buying one. It still has that slightly girly
image to it. Even if you opt for the 2.0liter TSI version that packs a
decent wallop at slightly under RM200,000 (without insurance) over the
poofy 1.2liter version you will look like you have more in common with
the chaps from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. Not there's anything
wrong with that. Unless you're trying to be known as Jason Statham or
Donnie Yen that is.
- The Beetle does seat four blokes (the two in the seat are my friends and schoolmates, who happened to bump into the two in the front who are their friends, and therefore schoolmates too - what coincidence that all attended the same session) , but not that comfortably at the rear
The
only other issue is that the painted dashboard and door trim which
matches the exterior would mean that if you bought a pink Beetle, you
will also have to stare at a pink interior. Aside from that one should
remember that the Beetle is still a niche car, and not a bread and
butter model like the Polo.
And for that I have to give
a pat on the back to VW for spending a ton of cash on its launching. I
suppose brand awareness is what they're really after. The launch was
just an excuse for getting the VW brand totally embedded in the
Malaysian public's psyche. Good job to them then. I believe they've
accomplished what they set out to do with the launch.
