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Volkswagen Australia has considered bringing the Atlas, a large, seven-seat SUV, to the country. However, it seems unlikely that the model, which is very popular in the US, will be introduced to the Australian market due to its focus on North America. Volkswagen Australia product marketing manager Jeff Shafer acknowledged that right-hand drive in the Atlas is a remote contingency. While Volkswagen Australia has previously investigated the possibility, the numbers did not stack up. With rising car prices, however, there may be a chance for a fresh business case.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV | Seven-seat |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV world premiere | California's Santa Monica Pier |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV production location | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV price | Between Tiguan and Touareg |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV design | Flared arches, squat proportions, bold grille, LED headlights |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV market | North America-focused |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV in Australia | Unlikely to be imported |
| Volkswagen Australia product marketing manager's statement | "We have to acknowledge that right-hand-drive is a remote contingency in Atlas" |
| Volkswagen Atlas SUV availability in Australia | Limited, some second-hand models available |
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What You'll Learn
- Volkswagen Atlas is a seven-seat SUV
- Volkswagen Australia has considered adding the Atlas to its lineup
- The Atlas is not expected to arrive in Australian showrooms anytime soon
- The Atlas is Volkswagen's most obviously North American-focused vehicle
- The Atlas is available in Sydney, Australia, on Facebook Marketplace
Volkswagen Atlas is a seven-seat SUV
The Volkswagen Atlas is a seven-seat SUV that was unveiled at California's Santa Monica Pier in 2021. The car is designed for a North American audience, marking a "new chapter" in the company's history in the region. It is produced exclusively in Chattanooga, Tennessee, alongside the US-market Passat. Volkswagen invested 900 million euros in re-fitting the site for the Atlas.
The Atlas is a spacious SUV, offering more room than other Volkswagen models such as the Tiguan and Touareg. It is designed with flared arches, squat proportions, and a bold grille flanked by LED headlights, giving it a very "American" look. While the Atlas is not made for European markets, there has been speculation about its potential release in Australia.
Volkswagen Australia has previously investigated the possibility of adding the Atlas to its lineup, but the numbers didn't initially stack up. However, with rising car prices, there may be a fresh business case for bringing the SUV to the country. The Atlas would be a family-friendly alternative to the luxury-biased Touareg and a genuine rival to other popular SUVs in Australia, such as the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Mazda CX-9.
While there is interest from Volkswagen's local arm in importing the Atlas to Australia, it is unlikely to happen due to the vehicle's focus on the North American market. Volkswagen Australia product marketing manager Jeff Shafer acknowledged that right-hand drive is a remote contingency for the Atlas. However, he also stated that the Atlas would fit naturally into Volkswagen Australia's SUV roll-out, offering more room in the rear seats than the seven-seat Tiguan.
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Volkswagen Australia has considered adding the Atlas to its lineup
While Volkswagen Australia's product marketing manager, Jeff Shafer, has acknowledged that right-hand drive is a "remote contingency" for the Atlas, he also stated that the Atlas would fit naturally into Volkswagen Australia's SUV roll-out. Shafer highlighted the vehicle's spacious interior, noting that it offers more room in the rear seats than the seven-seat Tiguan.
Despite this, it seems unlikely that the Atlas will be coming to Australian showrooms anytime soon. The Atlas is Volkswagen's most obviously North American-focused vehicle, marking a "new chapter" in the company's history there as it seeks to make a clean break from the diesel emissions saga. The car is exclusively manufactured in Chattanooga, Tennessee, further emphasizing its focus on the US market.
However, with rising car prices, there may be a potential opportunity for Volkswagen Australia to revisit the idea of bringing the Atlas to the country. The company has previously expressed interest in expanding its SUV offerings, and the Atlas could be a valuable addition to their lineup, providing a family-friendly option that could appeal to Australian consumers.
In conclusion, while Volkswagen Australia has considered adding the Atlas to its range, the vehicle's initial focus on the North American market has been a significant factor in its absence from Australia. However, changing market dynamics and consumer preferences may provide new opportunities for the company to re-evaluate its strategy and potentially introduce the Atlas to Australian audiences in the future.
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The Atlas is not expected to arrive in Australian showrooms anytime soon
Volkswagen Australia is believed to have explored the possibility of introducing the Atlas to its lineup several years ago, but the numbers didn't add up. The Atlas is a large, seven-seat SUV, a family-friendly alternative to the luxury-biased Touareg. It would compete with the Toyota Kluger (known as the Highlander in the US) and the Mazda CX-9, both of which are popular in Australia. Despite this, Volkswagen Australia product marketing manager Jeff Shafer stated that right-hand drive is a "remote contingency" for the Atlas, indicating that it is designed primarily for the North American market.
The Atlas, which made its world premiere in 2021 at California's Santa Monica Pier, is produced exclusively in Chattanooga, Tennessee, alongside the US-market Passat. Volkswagen invested 900 million euros in refitting the site for the Atlas, emphasizing its focus on the North American market. The Atlas's design, with its flared arches, squat proportions, and bold grille flanked by LED headlights, also aligns with typical American styling.
While Volkswagen's local arm in Australia has expressed interest in importing the Atlas, it is unlikely that this will happen soon. The company is instead focusing on its electric vehicle lineup, with the upcoming all-electric Scout brand positioned as a US-focused competitor to the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Prado.
With the growing demand for SUVs in Australia, particularly compact models, Volkswagen Australia has introduced the T-Roc and T-Cross, with the Taigo also expected to join the lineup. These compact SUVs offer versatility and practicality, targeting both urban commuters and those seeking a more adventurous driving experience.
In summary, while the Atlas would fill a gap in Volkswagen Australia's SUV lineup, it is not expected to arrive in Australian showrooms anytime soon. The company's focus on electric vehicles and the Atlas's apparent exclusivity to the North American market suggest that Australian consumers will have to wait for this model or consider alternative options within the Volkswagen range or from competing brands.
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The Atlas is Volkswagen's most obviously North American-focused vehicle
The Volkswagen Atlas is a mid-size crossover SUV that was launched in 2017. It is manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen and was developed mainly for the North American and Chinese markets. Outside of these markets, the vehicle is known as the Volkswagen Teramont.
The Atlas is produced exclusively in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the North American market and offers innovative technology and spaciousness. The full-size crossover has flared arches, squat proportions, and a bold grille flanked by LED headlights, giving it very "American" lines. The 4.97-meter-long vehicle has a wheelbase of 2.98 meters, the same as the three-row model, but has a lower roof and angled rear window to give it a sportier appearance.
While there is demand for the Atlas in Australia, it is unlikely to be sold there. Volkswagen Australia product marketing manager Jeff Shafer commented on the unlikelihood of the car being made in a right-hand-drive model, which is a necessity for the Australian market.
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The Atlas is available in Sydney, Australia, on Facebook Marketplace
While the Volkswagen Atlas SUV was unveiled in 2021, it is unlikely to be available in Australian showrooms anytime soon. The car is designed for an American audience, and Volkswagen Australia's product marketing manager, Jeff Shafer, has stated that a right-hand-drive version is not in the works.
However, if you are in Sydney, Australia, you can find the Volkswagen Atlas available on Facebook Marketplace. The SUV is listed near Sydney, New South Wales, within a 40-mile radius.
The Facebook Marketplace listings for the Volkswagen Atlas in Sydney, Australia, do not provide many details about the vehicle's specifications or condition. However, the prices listed range from A$17,500 to A$19,900, which is quite a broad range, suggesting that there may be room for negotiation or that the vehicles differ significantly in features and condition.
It is important to exercise caution when purchasing a vehicle through online marketplaces, and it is always advisable to inspect the vehicle and verify the seller's information and history before finalizing any transactions.
If you are interested in the Volkswagen Atlas, it may be worth exploring other similar SUV options available in Australia, such as the Toyota Highlander (known as the Kluger in Australia) and the CX-9, which are both popular choices in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Volkswagen Atlas is Volkswagen's most obviously North American-focused vehicle and will be exclusively made in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While Volkswagen Australia has shown interest in importing the car, it is unlikely to happen.
The VW Atlas is designed for an American audience. Volkswagen Australia product marketing manager Jeff Shafer has stated that right-hand-drive is a remote contingency in Atlas.
The VW Atlas is a seven-seat SUV and is Volkswagen's most spacious vehicle. It is designed to be family-friendly and is a more affordable alternative to the luxury-biased Touareg.
The VW Atlas will compete with the Toyota Highlander (Kluger in Australia) and the Mazda CX-9, both of which are very popular in Australia.
Volkswagen Australia is considering introducing the Scout, an all-electric US-focused brand, to the country.
