Volkswagen Phaeton Volkswagen Phaeton The Volkswagen Phaeton () ("Typ" 3D) is a Full-size (F-segment in Europe) luxury sedan/saloon manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen, described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle. Introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, the Phaeton was marketed worldwide. Sales in North America ended in 2006. Sales globally ended in 2016. The name Phaeton derives from Phaëton, the son of Phoebus (or Helios) in Greek mythology, by way of the phaeton auto body style and the type of horse-drawn carriage that preceded it. Production ended in March 2016 and an all-electric second generation was slated to
Volkswagen Phaeton be produced. Starting in April 2017, the "Gläserne Manufaktur" Dresden assembles VW e-Golf instead. The Phaeton was conceived by Ferdinand Piëch, then chairman of Volkswagen Group. Piëch wanted Volkswagen engineers to create a car that would surpass the German prestige market leaders, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The decision to release the Phaeton was, in part, a response to Mercedes' decision to compete directly with Volkswagen in the European marketplace with the low cost A-Class. It was also intended to support the Volkswagen brand image. Although the Volkswagen Group already has a direct competitor in the full sized luxury segment, the Audi