Volkswagen Polo - What does German car have to compete with Japanese cars in Vietnam?

The German automaker's budget sedan is less flashy, focusing on safety, convenience and performance.

Compared to competitors who are in the process of revolutionizing design, Polo has a plan to stagnate. The main market of competitors such as Ford Fiesta, Honda City or Toyota Vios is the group of developing countries, Polo focuses on winning the hearts of customers in the group of European countries, which have long-standing car-using habits.

This explains why in the top 10 best-selling cars in Europe in 2016, there were 3 Volkswagen models including Golf, Polo and Passat. Polo's headquarters is located in India and exports to the world. VW's factories in Russia and South Africa also assemble this car line, but mainly serve the domestic market.

In Vietnam, Volkswagen Polo has hatchback and sedan versions. The hatchback version is 5 million VND more expensive than the Polo sedan, priced at 690 million VND, excluding discounts at the dealer. In terms of size, the sedan version is longer than the hatchback. The wheelbase is 2,552 mm. The length, width, and height parameters are 4,384 mm, 1,699 mm, and 1,466 mm, respectively, equivalent to the Toyota Vios or Honda City. Polo uses the VW A05 chassis (code PQ25) shared with the luxury Audi A1 model.

Polo competes with familiar names to Vietnamese customers such as Vios or City.

The equipment of the Polo sedan is quite similar to that of its Japanese competitors, with some small equipment being more prominent. Manual headlights, halogen bulbs with integrated fog lights below. Electric folding and adjustable rearview mirrors. Four electric windows, one-touch automatic up and down. The two rear windows can only be lowered halfway for the purpose of keeping children safe when sitting behind. When the driver is outside the car, hold the open button on the key, all four windows automatically lower to release heat before the owner gets in the car. This is the opposite when locking the car, if the driver forgets to raise the windows, it can still be easily controlled from the key.

Single-zone automatic air conditioning. Entertainment system can optionally have a touch screen, Android operating system with Bluetooth, USB, SD card connections and Vietmap navigation. Polo is equipped with 4 standard speakers.

Safety features on the sedan are modest with ABS brakes. On the hatchback (VND 5 million more expensive), it is equipped with an electronic body stabilization system ESC, traction control ASR, emergency brake assist BA, traction control ETC and headlights with the ability to expand the beam angle when cornering.

The engine equipped on the two versions is the same type.1.6 liter capacity4-cylinder in-line naturally aspirated. MPI multi-point electronic fuel injection system and DOHC double camshaft. Front-wheel drive. 6-speed automatic transmission, not equipped with dual-clutch DSG transmission. Polo reaches 105 horsepower at 5,250 rpm, maximum traction of 153 Nm at 3,800 rpm. The announced fuel consumption is 5.3 liters/100 km, although traffic conditions in Vietnam are quite difficult to achieve this number.

The difference between the Polo sedan and its Japanese competitors comes from its performance. The Vios is superficial, lacking in personality but practical, the City is personality but noisy, the Polo combines the above elements. The Polo's steering wheel is square-bottomed like many Audi sports cars, convenient for the driver to get in and out of the car.

The Germans have arranged the cabin space in a practical way with many storage compartments. The armrest can be adjusted in height and has storage compartments, which is something that competitors do not have. The high roof makes the interior space airy and has a wide view. The second row of seats has a moderate recline, comfortable for long journeys. The second row of seats does not have an armrest.

The cabin space is arranged by the Germans practically with many storage compartments.

The power steering is more solid than the Vios but not as precise as the City. The door closing sound is solid and German, the Polo sedan cabin has good soundproofing. The noise coming into the cabin mainly comes from the engine. Moving around the city, the Polo is flexible thanks to its moderate size. The turning radius is 5.4 m. The gearbox does not "hiccup" and is easy to recognize like Japanese cars.

On the highway, Polo shows superiority over its competitors, but still faces many limitations of the "stomach sedan" line. Acceleration reaches 120 km/h, which few small sedan drivers want to reach. Polo's gear changes are not too smooth, but the gearbox is flexible and understands the driver's intentions. The accelerator pedal is heavy in German style, and starting off is not as fast as Japanese cars. At high speeds, the advantage of the "Germany" chassis helps Polo not to easily falter, making the driver hesitate. The shock absorbers are firmer, not bouncy, although the car is a bit bumpy and hurts when going over speed bumps or potholes.

Keeping a steady speed of 100 km/h, the engine speed reaches 2,100 rpm. Wind noise is the loudest sound in the cabin due to the less aerodynamically optimized design, VW is forced to trade off for usability. Good soundproofing of the floor is typical of German cars. The speed of 80-100 km/h is the most stable operating range of the Polo on the highway. In addition, operating the Polo at high speeds when going over speed bumps or potholes, the phenomenon of tail swing does not appear thanks to the solid body and stable power steering.

The B-class car segment (including sedans and hatchbacks) in Vietnam is currently the show of Toyota Vios and Honda City, the two top choices of customers with business needs. Mazda2, Ford Fiesta or Toyota Yaris score points thanks to advanced technology, designs that appeal to young customers or proven durability. The door is not completely closed for Polo in particular and VW in general thanks to the platform quality and German elements. However, to get into the pre-divided market share, the German "giant" still needs more determination and will from distributors in Vietnam./.

According to VNE