What comes first, the hatch or the saloon?

[Pints]

In the UK, the Golf outsells the Jetta by a long margin but this is not the case in several other countries. I mention this because Golf isn't automatically the "preferred" option of the two.

So here's the question: do VW designers first design a Golf and stick a boot on to make the Jetta, or do they create the Jetta and lop the boot off to create the Golf?

And what about other manufacturers and their hatch vs saloon equivalents?

[CBR JGWRR]

Golf then Jetta in that case, don't know about others.

[davepoth]

I'd wager the hatchback usually comes first - it's the weaker of the two structurally, generally speaking, so they need to make sure the strength is there without the big brace across the boot.

[peterbredde]

I have wondered this too. I live in the Middle East where hatchbacks are quite simply for weirdos. I think it depends on the manufacturers target market. The koreans and japanese definitley seem to concentrate on releasing the 'sedan' first. The hatch is an afterthought in this market. With the europeans its the other way round.

Personally I prefer the sedans 9 times out of 10. The boot is usually much bigger too.

[Krikkit]

Perhaps once upon a time it worked this way, but with the highly complex shared platforms available now I'd wager that they're developed in parallel by similar teams with clear goals from the outset.

[Pints]

Peter makes a good point. Possibly depends on the manufacturer's "home" market.

[MGgeordie]

I really do not like hatchbacks & have 9 times out of 10 bought saloon cars (or convertibles).

Is there anyone else out there with the same dislike for hatchbacks as Me or should I be shown a red card?

[Pints]

MGgeordie said:

I really do not like hatchbacks & have 9 times out of 10 bought saloon cars (or convertibles).

Is there anyone else out there with the same dislike for hatchbacks as Me or should I be shown a red card?

Depends on the car.
Golf over Jetta
3-series saloon over hatch
Polo hatch over saloon
C Merc saloon over hatch