and hello to the Rabbit.

In a surprise move, Volkswagen announced today that its all-new fifth generation Golf, which debuted at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, is going back to its roots with the original Rabbit nameplate for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The Rabbit will hop into the market in early summer, after its official introduction at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. “The Rabbit was always exclusive to the U.S. and Canadian markets; while the rest of the world had the Golf, we had the iconic Rabbit,” said Volkswagen’s Director of Brand Innovation, Kerri Martin. “The reintroduction of the Rabbit represents Volkswagen’s commitment to this market and is a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Rabbit name.”

“Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle, Fox, and Rabbit support this,” Martin added.

The Rabbit goes on sale this summer in both two and four-door versions, with pricing starting at $14,990 for the two-door. Standard features include an advanced ABS braking system, traction control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, air conditioning and anti-theft alarm system with remote locking. Always known for its value, this latest Rabbit is no exception, offering a high level of standard features and equipment at an attractive starting price.

The Rabbit was the first Volkswagen produced in the United States and its appeal grew rapidly, with sales of over 1.3 million in its 10-year lifespan. The Rabbit’s popularity can be credited to the wide array of standard features it offered at an attractive price. The 2006 Rabbit promises a return to the high-value, iconic status of the original.

“The Rabbit’s return to Volkswagen’s family is not an attempt to recreate the original car; today’s Rabbit is manufactured at our Wolfsburg production facility alongside the all-new GTI.”

The Rabbit, or Golf as it is well known throughout the rest of the world, is the world’s best-seller with over 25 million cars sold over five generations. This latest generation has already won more than 25 awards in more than sixteen countries. And, yesterday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), announced that the 2006 Rabbit four-door received the Top Safety Pick, Silver award, based on the Institute’s frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash protection ratings.

Martin adds, “Even the name ‘Rabbit’ dramatizes the enhanced performance, playing off the car’s clever design, efficient size, agility and nimbleness. The Rabbit is back.”

http://media.vw.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=9881

 

VW marketing exec:

"The reintroduction of the Rabbit represents Volkswagen’s commitment to this market and is a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Rabbit name."


VW marketing exec 20 years later:

"The reintroduction of the Golf represents Volkswagen’s commitment to this market and is a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Golf name."

Why does it make sense to ditch a name that has been around for 15 years and built its own following to revitalize some retro name of 20 years ago?

 

Thats just goofy. Id rather drive a golf than a rabbit.

 

Just in time for Easter. Coincidence?

 

Wasn't this the car gays drove before there was a Miata?

 

The golf is definitely one of the most popular cars in the gay and female community, so giving it a more feminine name is not going to negatively impact sales like it would if they named the Corvette "Lilly".

 

That would be the Cabrio version

 

Yes all gay men drive a Cabrio or Miata.

 

Now THAT'S funny!

 

LOL No, but they are popular with them it seems. Though the cars driven by gay guys (and girls) are as varied as those driven by heterosexuals in reality. I used to know of a lesbian couple that had a VW Cabriolet. Then I also have a lesbian friend who drives a Trailblazer(her girlfriend at the time had a Grand Vitara) and gay friend's that have a Neon and Grand Am(previously Intrepid and Probe respectively). Um... I'm tryin' to think, I know a number of gay guys... I know guys who drive a Liberty, a Saturn (make that a couple guys with Saturns) a Maxima, and a Regal. Oh, and one with a Mercedes(or was it a BMW?) and Silverado...

 

...aveo

















Sorry, couldnt resist.

 

The "rabbit" is one of the most popular, ahem, "female toys" of all time. Putting the same name on a car?

 

There is nothing wrong with driving an Aveo...

Edit: The rabbit name sounds stupid to me... I think they should reconsider.

 

Then again, I don't mind drinking the odd "silver bullet"

 

Got stuck with one for 2 weeks when my truck was in the shop. Wasnt that bad. The fuel economy was nice.



I didnt know what the hell a rabbit was until a couple months ago when a guy at my school got a pretty crappy diesel one. I understand that there are people that might have an emotional connection with the name, but are they still in the age bracket of the target buyers?