If they could couple both brands, VW and Audi, and present them together to the public imo it would be a great long term strategy. They really should have both brands at the majority of the dealerships as well. They would have most of the price points covered in one dealership with wide variety of product for the consumer to choose from. If a VW owner felt like they were part of a larger family of product, they were truly pleased with their vehicle and their experience at the dealer (which could only get better if they were at an Audi dealer) then as they get older with more disposable income they would naturally choose an Audi. It would require some effort for the VW side before doing this however as the public perception of VW is that of a higher price point, recalls and an unreliable product compared to the alternative brands.

Right now in my market VW is sold with Buick, Volvo, Mazda and Mitsubishi. I personally feel that all of them are inferior brands. VW should be looked upon by the public as better than these brands, above and unassociated from them, as none of them have the feeling of a German car nor the engineering qualities. A dealership that has anything other than German cars diminishes the VW brand imo.

Imo Audi is missing an opportunity that most of their competitors don't even have the luxury of pursuing. VW can be better used as a catalyst to the Audi brand. If they could change the public perception of the VW brand, Audi could stop trying to disassociate themselves from VW, and start benefitting from their parent company. I've had three VW's and two Audi's. I get it. I feel the similarities. Their job should be to make the general populous feel it too.

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