Why is Volkswagen's Configuration Reduction So Severe?
3 Answers
Currently, China has become the largest automobile market, with intense competition among car manufacturers. Driven by profits, many automakers have started to reduce configurations. Toyota and Volkswagen are no exception, and their configuration reductions are even more severe. Configuration reduction refers to cutting certain features from the original model, though these features do not affect the car's performance. Here is an introduction to car configurations: Basic Trim: Generally refers to simplified configurations. No leather seats, no power windows, and lacking many electronic control functions. Standard Trim: Includes essential electric controls, such as power windows, power steering, air conditioning, etc. Mid-level Trim: Slightly more advanced than the standard trim. It includes all standard features and may add extras like more airbags, a sunroof, leather seats, power seats, seat heating, etc.
As a Volkswagen owner, I bought a new car only to find significant configuration cuts, like the interior materials downgraded from premium plastic to standard plastic, and safety features such as blind-spot monitoring removed. Driving it feels much cheaper now. This is likely Volkswagen's strategy to lower prices amid fierce market competition, especially under the new energy vehicle boom, where they need to reduce costs to attract price-sensitive buyers. However, sacrificing quality and safety for this is concerning. In car owner groups, I've seen many similar complaints, with people feeling the company prioritizes short-term profits over long-term customer needs. The driving experience is uncomfortable, especially on long trips due to poor seat support. I regret my impulsive purchase. My advice: do thorough research before buying and choose brands with more transparent configurations to avoid disappointment.
As a long-term auto repair professional who frequently works on Volkswagen models, I've noticed a significant decline in parts quality in recent years, such as plastic components being prone to cracking and frequent electronic component failures. The severe cost-cutting stems from intense market competition pressure, forcing Volkswagen to reduce costs to gain market share, resulting in corner-cutting during production. For instance, some imported components have been replaced with cheaper domestic alternatives. While this lowers per-vehicle costs, it increases maintenance frequency, making it ultimately uneconomical. Based on experience, this compromises driving safety - there have been accidents caused by simplified braking systems. Owners should conduct regular inspections and choose reliable service centers for maintenance to extend vehicle lifespan. After all, safety comes first - never economize on critical components.
