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Volkswagen announces the new Routan

Chicago Auto Show 2008: New van from Volkswagen especially for the US market

Wolfsburg, 16 January 2008 - Volkswagen is stepping on the gas in one of its most important markets. Just weeks after the successful premiere of the new Passat CC at the current North American International Auto Show 2008 in Detroit, Europe's largest car manufacturer will present the new Routan at the Chicago Auto Show from February 6 - 17, 2008.

Volkswagen will be showing its new minivan for the first time at the Chicago Auto Show. "Routan" is a newly coined word indicating the bond between Volkswagen and America. "Routan" contains both the English word "route" as well as the "-an" suffix which is appended to the names of Volkswagen's European vans and lifestyle vehicles - Touran, Sharan and Tiguan.

The new minivan is a joint development with Chrysler LLC. The vehicle will be built in the Canadian Chrysler factory in Windsor, Ontario. Of course, both the interior and the exterior follow Volkswagen's clear design concept. The appearance, technology and functionality are splendidly adapted to the US market. That's why the Routan is an imposing seven-seater more than five metres in length. Whether kids, dogs, baseball gloves or inline skates - there is sufficient space for everyone and everything for the Friday afternoon trip to the park.

Volkswagen is hoping to increase its volume in North America with models like the Passat CC and the new Routan, both of which are strongly tailored to this market's requirements. Volkswagen wants to sell 800,000 vehicles just in the USA by 2018.