Why was the Jetta VS7 discontinued?

[DelPiper]

Poor sales. Below are specific details about the Jetta: 1. Background: Jetta is an automobile brand produced by FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd., a joint venture of the German Volkswagen Group in China. The Jetta (Jetta-MK1) was launched in Europe in 1979. 2. Brand Evolution: Shortly after the Golf was put into production and launched, Volkswagen introduced a three-box sedan to expand its model lineup, running parallel with the Golf. The first Jetta Jetta-MK1 was launched in Europe in the summer of 1979. From the very beginning, the Jetta Jetta-MK1 was designed with various modifications and specifications.

[BriannaLynn]

I've been keeping an eye on the Jetta VS7's developments. I heard it might have been discontinued due to poor market response, with many users complaining that its configurations weren't as competitive as rivals like the Haval H6, leading to sluggish sales and forcing the manufacturer to temporarily halt production. Additionally, the automotive industry is shifting towards new energy vehicles, and the Jetta brand might be reallocating resources to newer SUVs like the facelifted VS5, especially since the Volkswagen Group is also adjusting its strategy by phasing out older gasoline models. I recall that although the VS7 has Volkswagen's backing, its interior design and space layout were criticized as outdated, failing to meet the tastes of younger consumers. Combined with production disruptions during the chip shortage, these factors likely contributed to its discontinuation. If you're interested in this model, it might be worth waiting to see if an electric version is launched, as that seems to be the prevailing trend.

[MacGrant]

As an owner of the Jetta VS7, I found out it was discontinued after two years of driving it. I think the reasons might lie in its practicality and reputation. The car drives decently, but it has quite a few minor issues—like the infotainment screen often freezing, higher-than-expected fuel consumption, and maintenance costs exceeding expectations. Many of my fellow car owners have complained too, which affected its overall rating. Additionally, the SUV market is fiercely competitive, with domestic brands like the Geely Binyue offering better value for money, making the VS7 hard to sell. The manufacturer likely pulled it due to poor profitability. Looking back, the brand positioning might have been awkward—not as premium as Volkswagen yet not affordable enough. Now that it's discontinued, I'd suggest potential buyers consider other options. Ultimately, such decisions are usually driven by market feedback rather than a single fault.

[ClaireAnn]

From an industry perspective, the discontinuation of the Jetta VS7 reflects a market strategy misstep. Observing the SUV segment, I've noticed that post-2022, consumer preferences shifted towards economical and practical compact SUVs and new energy vehicles. The VS7, positioned as a midsize SUV without a competitive price edge, was outperformed by hybrid models like the BYD Song PLUS. Volkswagen Group likely concluded that the Jetta brand needed to focus on more profitable models, hence halting production of older versions to optimize supply chains or introduce new concept cars. Data shows sales dropped over 20% last year, compounded by supply chain issues, making this a pragmatic decision. I recommend paying more attention to industry reports to understand how automakers are addressing competitive pressures, rather than fixating on a single model.