(October 19, 2009) AutoWeek magazine reports today that Volkswagen will probably drop the Passat sedan and wagon in 2011 when VW's new U.S.-built mid-sized four-door is expected to go on sale.

"We are looking at it in detail," Stefan Jacoby, VW Group of America CEO, said this month.

The U.S.-built sedan, which has yet to be named, will be larger than the Passat but priced lower.

"We'll have two sedans coming out at the same time, and the smaller one will cost considerably more than the bigger one," said a VW spokesman.

The Passat sedan is 188.2 inches (4789mm) long. VW has not released dimensions for the new sedan. VW has said it can afford to price the new sedan lower because it will be built at the new factory in Chattanooga, Tenn. Unlike the Passat, it will be less affected by currency exchange rates.

The 2010 Passat sedan starts at $27,695, including shipping. The wagon starts at $29,095. The U.S.-built sedan is expected to start at about $20,000. A spokesman said VW doesn't need the Passat wagon because its Jetta station wagon is only 9 inches shorter.

The Jetta wagon is offered with a popular diesel option. About half of 2009 Jetta wagon buyers chose a diesel. A restyled Jetta wagon was launched this month.