In the automotive industry, whenever the word "faith" is mentioned, everyone can always think of Volkswagen. As one of the earliest joint venture brands to enter China, Volkswagen's influence on the Chinese people is indeed deep-rooted, and classic divine cars such as The Beetle, Santana, Jetta, and Golf have won the pursuit and favor of many consumers.
However, I believe that everyone also knows that in the past two years, the public seems to pay less and less attention to inheritance and feelings, some classic models have even gone to discontinuation, in addition to the Beetle, there are many Chinese people who are embarrassed by the Jetta, from the model to an independent brand after it, because there is no "VW" standard, it seems that it is difficult to talk about classics or beliefs.
Jetta (discontinued)
Jetta VS5
Jetta VS7
Jetta VA3
Recently, another Volkswagen classic model has been rumored to be discontinued. According to the exposed information, SAIC Volkswagen will complete the model technology transformation project in 2022-2023 and stop production of some models, including the classic god car - Santana.
Santana, which was introduced to China in 1983, is older than Jetta (1991). Up to now, Santana has three generations of models in China, of which the first two generations are regarded as classics by fans, and at that time, the base of the Passat was used, and the positioning was a B-class car, and the style was still quite high.
The first generation of Santana
Santana 2000 (2nd generation)
Santana 3000 (2nd Generation)
Santana Zhijun (2nd generation)
In the third generation of the model (2012), this generation of Santana is no longer based on the Passat, but with the old POLO base, so that Santana has also changed from a B-class car to an A-class car, although the grade has fallen, but it is also a Volkswagen. With the advantages of durable leather and close price, it is still active in major driving schools and taxi industry.
Current Santana (3rd generation)
At present, Santana's historical cumulative sales have exceeded 6 million vehicles, as for the current models on sale, although the book strength is not outstanding, such as the platform is old, the whole series of drum brakes, 1.5L power is only 112 horsepower, but its vitality is still very strong. Nearly 180,000 vehicles were sold last year, and 100,000 units were recorded in the account from January to September this year.
That is to say, whether from the perspective of historical feelings or market sales, Santana is a very important model for volkswagen, so what is the news of the suspension of production now?
At present, Volkswagen has not responded to this matter, but in the eyes of the outside world, Santana's suspension may be related to double points. In layman's terms, the state will set a fuel consumption target value for car companies, when you sell a fuel vehicle above this value, it will produce negative points, and below this value will produce positive points.
The above-mentioned fuel consumption integral, there is also a new energy integral, that is, car companies should produce new energy models according to a certain proportion, and positive integrals can be generated when they reach the standard.
According to public information in 2020, SAIC Volkswagen's total points reached -782666 points, so in order to avoid the penalty brought by this negative point, SAIC Volkswagen can achieve it through these three ways:
1. Produce and sell more new energy models, but according to the current volume of the ID series, it can only make up for a part;
2, go to those enterprises with positive points to buy, simple and fast, but more expensive, it is said that 1 point to spend 2500-3000 yuan;
3. Cut or stop production of traditional fuel vehicles that currently generate negative points;
Santana's suspension of production is actually in line with the third point. It is understood that the average fuel consumption of SAIC Volkswagen in 2020 is 5.18L/100km, while Santana's comprehensive fuel consumption is 5.6L/100km, which is higher than the target value, so that every Santana sold will generate negative points.
At present, Santana's guidance price is 8.69-11.59 million, plus 20,000-30,000 terminal discounts, the original bicycle profit is not very high, and now it is necessary to share a part of the loss caused by double points, which is not worth the loss. From this point of view, there is also a certain rationality for SAIC Volkswagen to stop production of Santana.
And now Santana's overall competitiveness is not strong, product updates are slow, let this continue, sales or will only get lower and lower. Of course, there are also people who disagree, in their view, Santana as a classic model of Volkswagen, the emotional benefits are greater than the profits, even if the loss of money, should continue to be passed on.
Jiang Ge is also partial to the idea of continuing to inherit, but it is not based on the current state, but a drastic upgrade to make it play its greatest value and return to the mainstream consumer market. It is worth mentioning that there were renderings of a new generation of Santana circulating on the Internet before.
New Generation Santana Renderings (Source Network)
Renderings of the new generation Santana interior (source network)
Write at the end
In fact, the news of Volkswagen Santana's suspension of production also reminds Jiang Ge of one thing, that is, some time ago, BYD F3 (born in 2005) and BAIC Manufacturing BJ212 (born in 1965) have successively announced the suspension of production this year. At this point, there are even fewer domestic cars on the market that can be regarded as classics and have feelings.
So what is everyone's attitude towards such a classic model with feelings? Welcome to follow "Car Frontiers", leave a message in the comment area below, and share your opinion.