Some time ago, Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei, publicly stated in an interview: "The best car is Jetta (parameter | inquiry)". In an instant, the impression of Jetta in my mind was subverted instantly, and I couldn’t help asking myself: Isn’t Jetta the most coach car and taxi, and when did it match the word "best"? In fact, Ren Zhengfei’s "best" means that after more than 40 years of development, Jetta’s failure rate will be lower than that of other cars, not that it is superior in handling and materials, which is also an important reason why coaches buy Jetta. Let’s first throw out the impression of coach cars and taxis, and take you to a simple understanding of different Jetta.
The First Generation Jetta (1979-1984)
Say you may not believe it, Jetta is actually a sedan version of golf. At the earliest time, North American consumers preferred cars with trunk in appearance design. Based on this, the first generation Jetta started research and development based on the golf platform. In 1979, the first generation of Jetta was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In September of the same year, the first generation of Jetta began to be put into production at the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg. On the power system, the engine displacement of the first generation Jetta ranges from 1.1L to 1.8L, and a 1.6L diesel engine version is also added. After it was put into the North American market, the sales of the first generation Jetta shined brilliantly and once became one of the best-selling European models.
The second generation Jetta (1984-1992)
In 1984, the second generation Jetta was listed in Europe and entered the North American market the following year. The second generation Jetta is built on the platform of the second generation golf, but it surpasses the latter in appearance and weight. Although the interior space of the second generation Jetta has increased compared with the previous generation, the suspension has remained consistent. Time came in 1991, and the second-generation Jetta jointly built by Volkswagen and FAW was officially launched in Changchun in the form of CKD (parts assembly). Under the operation of FAW-Volkswagen, the production of the second-generation Jetta was originally completely assembled (1991) and semi-assembled (1992) and finally developed into completely local production (1995). In 1996, the domestic Jetta was upgraded, and the 4-speed manual gearbox was upgraded to the 5-speed manual gearbox.
The Third Generation Jetta (1992-1998)
In 1992, the third generation Jetta went on the market in Europe and was given a new name — Vento, but when it landed in the North American market in 1993, it still retained the original name of Jetta. The third generation Jetta adopts streamlined design in appearance, which further reduces the air resistance. Compared with the second-generation Jetta, the third-generation Jetta uses more environmentally-friendly materials, including recyclable plastics, heavy metal-free paint and fluorine-free air conditioning. Because the second generation Jetta was put into production in China soon at that time, the third generation Jetta was not synchronized in China.
Jetta King-Domestic Edition (1997-2004)
In 1997, the domestic Jetta began to change its model for the first time. The new car was equipped with a 1.6L EFI engine code-named EA113 and named "Jetta King". King Jetta improved on the basis of the second generation Jetta, but the front face continued the third generation Jetta. In configuration, Volkswagen equipped Jetta King with ABS and EFI technology for the first time. In 2002, FAW-Volkswagen launched Jetta Spring, which upgraded the interior of the old model and added central door lock, electric window and electric rearview mirror.
The Fourth Generation Jetta (1998-2005)
In 1998, the fourth generation Jetta was officially launched, and it was named Bora in Europe. However, in order to distinguish it from the current Jetta in China, FAW-Volkswagen completely divided Bora and Jetta into two models. Strictly speaking, the fourth generation Jetta abroad is the first generation Bora in China, and the first generation Bora was also introduced to China by FAW-Volkswagen in 2001. Back to the fourth-generation Jetta, its appearance is more streamlined, which is similar to the fourth-generation Volkswagen Passat that was listed before, and it is equipped with the automatic air conditioning system developed by Volkswagen for the first time. However, it was criticized for the lack of space in the back seat, which led to the sales volume being far less than expected, so the next generation of foreign models changed back to Jetta.
Jetta Partners-Domestic Edition (2004-2010)
After separating Bora, the domestic version of Jetta was redesigned in 2004 and named as "Jetta Partner". The appearance of the new car has been transformed and up to 21 configurations have been upgraded. The modified model once again won the sales champion of single model in China, achieving three consecutive championships. On July 14th, 2006, Jetta ushered in the first millionth car off the assembly line.
The Fifth Generation Jetta (2005-2011)
In 2005, the fifth-generation Jetta was first released at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and was first released in the United States before Europe. At the same time, Volkswagen began to upgrade its factory in Mexico to produce the fifth-generation Jetta. In addition to the production of complete vehicles, the Mexican factory also provides complete vehicle parts to joint venture car companies in FAW-Volkswagen and Africa. In naming, Europe and North America continue to use the name of Jetta. However, in China, it continues to sell separately and is named after sagitar. You are right, the fifth generation Jetta abroad is the first generation sagitar in China.
New Jetta-Domestic Edition (2010-2012)
In 2011, the domestic version of Jetta changed its appearance and directly adopted the latest Volkswagen family Facebook. In April of the same year, 2 million commemorative models of Jetta went on the market, with a limited sale of 3,000 units at a price of 88,800.
The Sixth Generation Jetta (2011-2019)
In September 2011, the sixth generation Jetta was officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Compared with the sixth generation golf, the sixth generation Jetta has increased the wheelbase and body length. In terms of power system, the sixth generation Jetta provides 1.2T, 1.4T and 2.0T gasoline engines and 1.6L and 2.0L diesel engines, while North America only provides 2.5L naturally aspirated and 2.0T turbocharged engines. In China, the sixth generation Jetta is listed under the name of New Sagitar. Compared with the foreign sixth-generation Jetta, the new sagitar changed the multi-link suspension to the torsion beam rear suspension, and cancelled the door sealing strip. In 2015, FAW-Volkswagen announced the recall due to the suspension fracture of the rear torsion beam of the new sagitar. Affected by suspension fracture, the new sagitar was re-equipped with a four-bar independent rear suspension in a small change in 2015.
New Jetta-Domestic Edition (2012-2019)
In 2012, a brand-new Jetta based on PQ25+ platform was officially launched. With the changes of domestic consumer groups and car demand, the interior of the new Jetta has been improved in youthfulness and workmanship. At the same time, the new Jetta is equipped with AUX, USB audio interface and central control LCD screen.
Jetta brand (2019-present)
In 2019, Jetta was officially upgraded from a model to a brand, and its models were produced by the Chengdu factory. At present, Jetta brand models include Jetta VS7, Jetta VS5 and Jetta VA3. But what we need to know is that the appearance of the new brand also means that it is officially disconnected from Jetta models and has simply become a joint venture sub-brand in China.
Conclusion:From the beginning, the domestic version of Jetta did not take the road of vertical replacement, but was divided into three major models: Jetta, Bora and Sagitar. In the case that the soldiers were divided into three roads, the domestic version of Jetta played the role of a special car supplier, but the popularity of Sagitar and Bora made Jetta’s position in China decline. Even if FAW-Volkswagen tries to reawaken everyone’s recognition of Jetta’s quality through the establishment of Jetta brand, our impression is still stuck in the coach car with "difficult shifting and hard braking" in the driving school.