Looks like I am not the only one who hates the names of VW's new models...

Dealers say VW names are a shame

By Ralph Kisiel
Automotive News / February 04, 2002
Highlights

Volkswagen make meeting highlights
Dump the names Touareg and Phaeton
Seek world-class quality
Explain dealer standards



U.S. Volkswagen dealers can't wait for the brand's first sport-utility and luxury sedan. But they agreed at the convention that the names must go.
The sport-utility is named the Touareg. The luxury sedan is the Phaeton. Both are scheduled to arrive in 2003.
"I've been approached by a lot of dealers in both the U.S. and Canada that are upset with the names of both the SUV and the D1," said Al Gossett, chairman of the Volkswagen National Dealer Council.
D1 was the internal designation given to the luxury sedan before it was named the Phaeton.
"Dealers do not think the names are appropriate names for the North American market," Gossett said. "This is one issue that has really got both the Canadian and U.S. dealers upset. The names of both of those vehicles are unacceptable."
Both vehicles are part of VW of America Inc.'s strategy to expand the product lineup in North America into the near-luxury and luxury segments.
Bernd Pischetsrieder, who becomes chairman of Volkswagen AG in April, said in Detroit during the auto show last month that VW was looking for unusual names with a heritage.
Phaeton comes from Greek mythology. The term was used in the 1930s to denote a large open-air luxury vehicle. But the Phaeton will not be a convertible. The Touareg is named after an African tribe that makes an annual trek across the Sahara.
Dealers at the VW make meeting challenged the company to improve vehicle quality. "We need to continue to move toward world-class quality, especially as we move our product into SUV, into the W8 Passat and into the D1," Gossett said. "The launch of the '02 product has been a whole lot better than launches before, but it's just not world-class."