VW poised for SUV go-ahead as U.S. slide threatens goals | Reuters - 0 views
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needs more models designed for U.S. consumers and manufactured competitively in the region, analysts say
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VW's U.S. deliveries fell 7 percent in 2013 as a push into competitive midsize cars lost traction, with the brand languishing in the bottom third of quality rankings - a mirror image of its European standing that puzzles German bosses.
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The Passat, Golf and imported Tiguan and Touareg SUVs lost ground to fresher models from U.S. and Japanese rivals, which increased sales in a market that grew 7.6 percent overall.
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To price cars competitively, it tried offsetting the cost of its sophisticated mechanics by stripping out features and using entry-level trims in the Passat and Jetta.
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ranks 23rd out of 33 brands, with 120 problems reported for every 100 new cars within the first 90 days.
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"The Passat is up against a redesigned Nissan Altima, a redesigned Honda Accord and a redesigned (Ford) Fusion - all undercutting VW on pricing," said Alec Gutierrez, an analyst with Kelley Blue Book, which tracks U.S. car values.