VOLKSWAGEN Group's four brands are gearing up for further expansion into new market segments in a move which could see VAG challenging Ford and Vauxhall at the top of the sales chart in Britain. Top group executives say they are no longer thinking in terms of traditional market segments.

Among the most dramatic of the new cars will be executive-class Seats and Skodas, and V12 Volkswagens to rival Mercedes-Benz in the luxury sector. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, a senior company spokesman said there was no reason why each of the four brands (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda) should not be present in every major sector of the market.

Aside from a new coupe and minicar from Volkswagen, an eight-cylinder Passat is expected soon. This will be followed by a V12 limousine, which Volkswagen will base on the Audi A8 structure. Among the many other products, a new upper medium Seat is due later this year.