It's Simple: Be the World's Largest Automaker by 2018Volkswagen Group will be the world's largest automaker by 2018, CEO Martin Winterkorn has declared. He and his brand chiefs said that continuing the rate of new model launches in the recession is a key way to gain market share. That exploits the weakness of the opposition, and, according to his theory, increased share will translate into increased absolute sales numbers when markets recover.

VW is walking the talk. This is what the VW brand will launch this year alone:Jetta
Due to be unveiled late summer, the new Jetta will have the same silhouette and basically the same interior as the New Compact Coupe concept (pictured) shown at Detroit. (However, VW does not plan to build a coupe Jetta.) The 150-horsepower, turbocharged, 1.4-liter direct-injection gas engine mated to a hybrid module and seven-speed DSG transmission will be one of the available powertrains, VW Technical Director Ulrich Hackenberg told Motor Trend. It achieves 45 mpg EPA, and 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, but it will not be ready at launch. VW's 2.0-liter clean diesel will also be offered. Production remains at VW's plant in Puebla, Mexico.Amarok
VW's new pickup made its world debut at the recent Geneva auto show, and will hit streets around the world shortly. Volkswagen officials have confirmed to Motor Trend that the Amarok will not come to the U.S., but haven't ruled out the possibility of bringing it here in the future. According to Volkswagen, the Amarok simply doesn't fit with the company's image in the U.S. currently, and VW fears it wouldn't sell well. In addition, the chicken tax, which places a large tariff on imported trucks (the vehicle will be built in Argentina), doesn't help matters. Despite the hurdles and VW's hesitation, we think it would do better than the Routan minivan has, and it could gain some traction in a mid-size truck market littered with weak offerings.