DaimlerChrysler and Volkswagen to Build a Minivan for the US Market

[ASurroca]

05 January 2006
DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND VOLKSWAGEN TO BUILD A MINIVAN FOR THE US-MARKET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. / WOLFSBURG, Germany - DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group and Volkswagen will develop and produce a new van for the North American market. The vehicle is to be marketed under the Volkswagen brand. A corresponding agreement will be signed at the Detroit Motor Show.

Production of the Volkswagen minivan, which will be based on the next generation Chrysler and Dodge minivan will begin in 2008.

“This an important and groundbreaking decision for the Volkswagen brand in the USA”, said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chairman of the VW Brand Board of Management. “In the Volkswagen product range we are missing a van for families, which meets the specific requirements of our American customers. With this new vehicle we are going to enter another important market segment with our own product.”

"This is a win-win deal for both the Chrysler Group and Volkswagen," said Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda. "With our manufacturing and platform engineering flexibility, we can deliver a high-quality product specifically tailored to Volkswagen's customers' tastes with little or no substitution effect on the current Dodge and Chrysler minivan lineup.”

source: VWoA press release

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More information and spyphotos available at Allpar.com (http://www.allpar.com/model/m/2008-minivans.html)

I'm sure some enthusiasts will cry foul, but this is an important step toward being more than a little niche brand in the US. Call it "selling out", but to make a lot of sales, a company has to make compromises, and frankly, the idea of a Chrysler/Volkswagen minivan is better than, say, a Ford/Volkswagen minivan (cough, Europe's Sharan). And an US-built Volkswagen will mean VAG won't have to worry about exchange rates.

[madjalapeno]

I drove a Mercedes A-class in London, was smaller and more nippy than a minivan.

Would be nice to see a proper VW van though, specially with a split screen.

:kult: :bowdown: :kult:

[Deserion]

Considering that Chrysler's quality and design are improving with each new model, I'm sure this won't be such a bad thing to behold. ;)

-Des

[SeeMKay]

My Sister and Brother-in-law are looking for a vehicle, possible mini van....and are proud owners of an AUDI A4 stationwagon now.....I am sure they will both love this news!!! (considering they are/were interested in the Pacifica):)

[Porkchop]

But if I read this right, it sounds like its saying they're going to rebadge the Chrysler van for VW to sell. What the fahrvergnugen is up with that? :)

[PhoenixRising]

But if I read this right, it sounds like its saying they're going to rebadge the Chrysler van for VW to sell. What the fahrvergnugen is up with that? :):confused:

Yeah, good question.

[digitalputty]

This angers me ....

[PhoenixRising]

This angers me ....:confused: Why?

Just curious...

[larryziegler]

:confused: Why?

Just curious...

Economics!

As far as re-badging a Dodge Caravan, what Porkchop said is partially correct, as the body and drivetrain will be from Chrysler, however, VW will design the interior. The need for a people hauler is apparently necessary for VW's marketing plans and they can get one on the road sooner by collaborating with someone else.

[Deserion]

And don't forget that Wolfgang Bernhard was a former DaimlerChrysler exec. ;)

-Des

[digitalputty]

We dont need another minivan on the road. There are too many already and, if someone wants a minivan they can buy one of the many already in existance.

[PhoenixRising]

We dont need another minivan on the road. There are too many already and, if someone wants a minivan they can buy one of the many already in existance.To that, I agree.

[Fowvay]

There are too many sterile and boring mini vans on the market. What we need is an alternative for those of us that actually like to drive and not sit in an oversized chair, sipping coffee, talking on the phone, watching DVDs and watching the world slip by.

We need an interesting, fun, inexspensive, fuel efficent, useable lil box like the old Microbuses. Not a rebadged Chrysler minivan. If I wanted one of those I would buy it... obviously I don't. I still lust after Vanagons and thought the Eurovan brilliant.... overpriced but brilliant. VW you can do this I know you can.

Quit having all these meetings and trying to come up with new, bigger and better ideas. The best ideas are old ideas that are just old enough that people forgot about them and then they appear new.

The Microbus would be a breath of fresh air in a very stale look alike market. Don't build that $50,000 uber luxary thing you were parading around for the last few years but build one for the rest of us... the blue collar crowd.. your bread and butter.

Tom aka Fowvay

[Growler]

Amen Brother!

[digitalputty]

... "The Peoples Car".

VW is on its way to being overpriced and too luxurious. They need to redesign and rebuild things that made them Volkswagen. Not these 'new' things with other companies.

[Deserion]

And yet, I have not even seen mentioned a selling price yet. Seeing how the Dodge version of the DC van is the cheaper of the two, the VW van could also be in a lower price bracket. But, I guess we see "Chrysler" and think "$$$".

Wonder if people complained when VW collaborated with Toyota on the Taro, or Ford on the Galaxy? How about we wait until the product is introduced first, to see if it's a clone or something a bit different?

-Des

[Fowvay]

I guess we see "Chrysler" and think "$$$".



Huh... Thats not what I think of .. well it is kinda shaped like a "$" sign.. it is curly, hot, and steamy but it is usually coming out of the rear end of a Mammal.. ;)

[Deserion]

Huh... Thats not what I think of .. well it is kinda shaped like a "$" sign.. it is curly, hot, and steamy but it is usually coming out of the rear end of a Mammal.. ;)

:fart::ha:

-Des

[ursabug]

I think Chrysler's going in the right direction. I think VW needs to expand its offerings or do something somewhat different in the U.S.

When we bought our Escape (Midnight edition :) ), we first looked to VW. They didn't have anything close - we're all tall, and the small wagon thing just didn't do it for us.

The Tuareg is great, but it's expensive and uses more gas than I'd like in a people hauler. It doesn't fit the bill for us, either.

I'd like to see something positive come out of this new "friendship", though.

[kcfoxie]

I'm kind of happy to see this; if VW can market an already decent offering (Dodge has made Caravan since I was born, going on 23 years now) then we might get a Westfalia version -- to which I'd buy in a heartbeat; even if Automatic. What this does guarantee, though, is it will never see a 5-speed and unlikely to be diesel ever. We can hope that it's got a nice Microbus-like feel to it, or somethig akin to the Sharon sold over seas.

This isn't really a bad thing, I don't think. Even if you think it is: VWs current marketing strategy is to hook the young ones at 25+ with Jetta/Golf V, then offer a van and SUV when they are married with kids 10 years or so later. The idea is to grab up the "working class" of button pushers, at least that's what everything thats come with our Jetta V has led me to believe.

[Deserion]

And also by offering a vehicle that people will buy, it helps secure Volkswagen's place in the US market. You know, something that keeps them from leaving... :rolleyes:

-Des

[Steinola]

We dont need another minivan on the road. There are too many already and, if someone wants a minivan they can buy one of the many already in existance.

LOL! That's a very silly stance, DP. Afterall... aren't there just too many vehicles already in general? I mean, if someone wants a vehicle, heck, why doesn't everyone just buy a Ford Taurus. There should be no need for any other vehicle to be on the road, should there?

I'm in the market for a minivan at the moment... and I gotta tell you, I'm far from impressed with anything that I've seen thusfar. I wouldn't buy anything that's currently on the market. The Toyota Sienna gets closest to something I'd buy, but it's still not there.

I'm not saying that this VW minivan will end up being any better than what's out there. But to say that VW shouldn't even try because there's a glut of minivans available is a little ludicrous, not to mention naive.

[Mortville]

This is the worst news ever!:( The last thing we need on the road is another Mommymobile!! The Toureg and the Phaeton were a step in the wrong direction, but this latest idea is just disgusting!!!

[Steinola]

I guess I'm not understanding the hostility toward this news. "Angry"? "Disgusting"? Come on, folks, it's a car.

My god... Mortville's comment makes it sound like VW never made a minivan before... when, in fact, they pretty much invented (or at the very least "refined") the genre so many many years ago (long before it was "popular").

I would understand if VW was announcing that they were going to make something akin to a Hummer (why anybody needs a Hummer, outside of a battlefield, is beyond me)... but they're not. They're announcing that they want to build a minivan. A vehicle that has legitimate reasons for being on the road, and a vehicle that, up to now, hasn't been adequately designed (IMHO).

I'm more dismayed that it's a partnership with Chrysler than I am that it's a minivan.

[Cody]

Well, I agree with the 100% dismayal of Fowvay.

Minivans are just not that great in general. 99% of the time I see one or two people driving around in them, driving obnoxiously, wasting gas, and being too big. There is some legitimacy, and not all (not even nearly) minivan drivers are bad drivers. I just don't get why we need one.

Also, I don't like the idea ONE BIT that VW is teaming up with Chrysler to make this. Chrysler isn't an inherently bad company, but it's an American car. Which means a guzzling, droning engine with 10mpg and 100hp, a sloppy sloopy drivtrain with probably 3 speeds, and steering that's as numb as novacaine. This scares me. A VW CAN NOT EVER be a VW without a spirited engine and communicative steering. I don't know how VW is going to get around the fact that it's a VW badged Chrysler boring-inefficient-people-hauler. And my bet is that they won't.

First the Toyota Jetta, now the Chrysler Minibus.

Cody

[pdoel]

Ugh. What sad, sad news. I agree with the others that some other type of vehicle that people actually liked to drive, that has personality, would be a much better alternative. Nothing against the minivan. People who have them seem to love them. They sure do come in handy. But they're kinda boring.

The Toyota Siena and Honda Odyssey are exceptions. I think those are actually pretty cool.

It just sucks to see VW who has a history with the minivan, a huge following with the bus, to team up with Chrysler? While it does seem Chrysler's rep is getting a bit better, I just still don't have that great a respect for their minivans. My sister has one and loves it, but they've also had quite a few problems with it.

I often see not too old Chrysler minivans driving down the road, blowing disgusting fumes everywhere. They just don't seem all that reliable. :(

For a company with so much character as VW, I just think this is a horrible joint venture.

[Mortville]

Regardless of what anyone thinks, I stand by my opinion that this venture is just wrong. If VW wanted to create a van, then do it. To team up with Chrysler to produce another minivan just really disappoints me. A "minivan" is a vehichle for lazy mommys to make their lives "easier", full of TV screens to numb their children with mindless cartoons instead of actually parenting them... while they talk on their cellphones about hectic their life is. Sorry to be so passionate about this, but for some reason I see the current definition of "minivan" as a symbol of laziness rather than convienience. My parents gave birth to five children who got along just fine without the convieniences of a minivan. Maybe I'm way off base here, and I'm willing to hear other pionts of view...I'm sure they're out there!;)

[BUGSTUFF]

Alright, I'm going to chime in here. There's been quite a bit of discussion about this venture, both here and on the Vortex. Some of the comments have been pretty colorful and it's nice to see how loyal VW folks can be.

We own a New Beetle, a Eurovan and a SuperBeetle convertible. Prior to the Eurovan we owned a '96 Dodge Caravan. I loved the Caravan and I really love the Eurovan, but you really can't compare them because they're two different animals. The Dodge drove like a car and the EV drives like the utilitarian people and stuff mover that it is. Both got around 18-22 mpg.

I take offense to the "lazy mommy" comment - without the Eurovan we couldn't tow our pop-up camper, we couldn't tow our Superbeetle and I would have had a heck of a time moving my father's furniture last spring. There's nothing "mini" about our EV. We don't have a TV in our van but VW did provide us with a table and rear facing seats so that we can hang out in the van when necessary. We camp and attend many VW shows & events and people are amazed by the features that our van offers. It comes in handy when we need to pick up out-of-town family members from the airport. We needed a people & stuff hauler and our only other option would have been a gas guzzling pick-up. The Touareg is cool but not very practical for our application.

The venture between VW and D/C is all about money. Due to poor marketing, the Eurovan never found it's niche in the US minivan market. Pricing was also a problem, but the VW loyalists knew that they were getting their money's worth by staying with VW. VW says it would cost too much to bring the new T5 to the US and maybe they're right. But it just might be that they again won't be able to get their share of the market with a van that is unfamiliar to the majority of the potential van buyers. So let VW put their name on a familiar vehicle, get their foot in the door, have some success and then maybe they'll feel comfortable about bringing a vehicle of their own design over here again. The loyalists know that VW invented the minivan, but the general public thinks that Chrysler did. Like Des said, the new head of VW is the former head of D/C, so mergers like this are pretty much inevitable. The US VW dealerships are howling and pleading with VWaG for a people mover and this is VW's solution, at least for the time being.

VW will be providing TDI engines for the new Dodge Caliber (the Neon replacement). D/C will be providing the powertrain for the new van. So maybe, in a roundabout way, VW will finally get a diesel powered van in the US....

I'm very brand loyal, and as I did with the new Jetta, I'm not going to pass any judgements until I see the finished product for myself.

Hey Steinola, see if you can find a nice late model Eurovan for sale in your area!!!

Oh well, just my 02 cents....

[digitalputty]

...mindless cartoons...

I like cartoons. :( Most arent mindless. :(
:P

[Mortville]

.

I take offense to the "lazy mommy" comment - without the Eurovan we couldn't tow our pop-up camper, we couldn't tow our Superbeetle and I would have had a heck of a time moving my father's furniture last spring. There's nothing "mini" about our EV. We don't have a TV in our van but VW did provide us with a table and rear facing seats so that we can hang out in the van when necessary. We camp and attend many VW shows & events and people are amazed by the features that our van offers. It comes in handy when we need to pick up out-of-town family members from the airport. We needed a people & stuff hauler and our only other option would have been a gas guzzling pick-up. The Touareg is cool but not very practical for our application.



I never said that I had a problem with the Eurovan.

[Mortville]

I like cartoons. :( Most arent mindless. :(
:P

Ok...the cartoons may not be mindless...it's the parents who use the TV as a babysitter that are.

[ccain529]

Man, I have tried every search I can think of to find spy photos or concept photos of this thing! There are none to be found. I did find these pics. The first one is a concept vehicle but the second one is from a website that lists this as the 2007 Sharan..I read on an overseas website(which I had to translate) that the new US minivan would be marketed as the Sharan. Like I said it was an overseas website and I had to translate the text, so I guess one should take this with a grain of salt!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/ccain529/Sharan.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/ccain529/Sharan1.jpg

[BUGSTUFF]

Here's a couple of spyshots of the D/C version, but you'll have to use your imagination a little.:rolleyes:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots/Spy_Shots_08_Chrysler_Minivans.S178.A9849.html

[EVZBUG]

I drove a Mercedes A-class in London, was smaller and more nippy than a minivan.

:kult: :bowdown: :kult:

Speaking of Mercedes-Benz, I am here in Toronto, and they offer a B-Class, which looks like a squashed R-Class crossover. They also have Smart Cars and Smart Car convertibles....I just drove my grandmother's 1995 C280 yesterday, which was made prior to the Daimler Chrysler marriage, and I was reminded of how solid and "German" Mercedes felt back in the day. I'm not too happy about Chrysler making minivans with us, especially given the fact that VW's van history goes back to 1950. I will wait to see it in person before I make any real opinions...

Here's a random fact--did you know that the first Plymouth Horizons and Dodge Omnis, which were Chrysler's Rabbit knockoffs, had Rabbit engines?!?!?

[Porkchop]

Here's a random fact--did you know that the first Plymouth Horizons and Dodge Omnis, which were Chrysler's Rabbit knockoffs, had Rabbit engines?!?!?

I never knew this, so I looked it up:

Inside the United States, using Volkswagen 1.7 liter engines - an enlarged version of Volkswagen's Golf engine, modified for Chrysler, it produced 75 horsepower and 90 lb-ft of torque, competitive for that time; Rabbits (US Golfs) were sold with lower horsepower. Chrysler reportedly had a five-year contract for these engines, which were used until mid-1983.

So if you bought the Chrysler product, you got more hp. Weird. :)

[Beeble]

I don't think some of you guys understand how life works. If you have kids, or play in a band, or have a job or hobby that requires carrying around a lot of stuff, then you need a minivan. I qualify for several of the above and could not live without it. I would rather drive the Beeble, but it's not a car for all seasons. We have to have a van.

It's true that, much of the time, the van does not get driven with a full load. And...? You carry four or five people in your NB every time you drive it? I thought not. I can't afford to keep an Insight in the driveway for the times when a minivan is not absolutely essential, so I have to drive the van by myself.

It gets 20/25 mpg hauling five people and all their gear on vacation. I can lay a 4x8' sheet of plywood flat in the back. I can easily load a sound cart, four guitar cases, two amps and assorted equipment in the back. The NB will do none of that.

There is a place in the world for minivans. You may not live in that place, but others do, so live and let live, please.

[digitalputty]

Your primary vehicle is a diesel bug right? 45mpg right? Most people around me who have one kid have an SUV and a mini van. Or two SUV's ... or more. Hardly anyone uses a car as their primary vehicle & most people dont even have a 'car'.

[kcfoxie]

Wow.. this thread's gone on and on. Here are my thoughts:

1) I think many repete minivan owners are trapped in a mindset. When I grew up and moved out, my younger cousin/half-sister (LONG story and no we're not inbred) also went to live with her father again. My mom was hit head on in her Aerostar, which she'd had for about 6 or 7 years, and was devistated. She LOVED that Van, it was her FIRST new car (and she was well into her mid 30s at the time). She wanted ANOTHER minivan. She got a Focus, though. Why? Well, Ford's new Windstar was "too car like," and Dodge's cars "are too electric," the Focus is a station wagon. I tried to get her into a EuroVan (too big) and a Jetta/Passat Wagon (a bit pricy). She regrets the Focus, it's been a pain and has left her stranded (reads: not starting at all and once stalled on the roadway) more than 5 times and she's had it less than 4 years. Unacceptable by even my Ford-proud family's terms. It's her had Ford. (in comparison my "clunky beetles" have never failed, and if they did they were over the age of 20 and it was acceptable).

My mom was stuck in mommy-minivan mode. To feel "on par" with her kid-clad co-workers, she wanted another van. Cost, dealer's attitudes and gas consumption changed her tune. Now she wants a Rabbit Diesel from the 80s ("when cars still were made to last.") :D

I think that the Van would be called Sharan. It's a slight mod of the Sharon van, which apparently sells well. A diesel van would sell like HOTCAKES, problem is that VW has said (according to two dealers now) that there won't be any TDIs in 2007, because of the low-sulfur/EPA crap going on. So... would this be a 2006 model? Or would this be a 2008? I'm betting 2008.

Onto the topic of options, VW as a compay, etc. VW isn't the company they were in 1962. In the two years I have owned my beetle I've seen them go from coocky college kid company to the young yuppie professional. The beetle and Jetta IV were "the college cars," Touareg, Phaeton, Jetta/Passat V are the "new redefined upscale and mature" VW. Be it that I'm 23, I hate that. With a passion. I want the cooky, alternative, "I think he's one of them pot smokers" VW back. Like I want my alternative "screw you" Apple back, but that's ANOTHER rant.

So.. what I've seen is this: hook the up and coming out of college kids with a car that's affordable ($24k with nice options) that makes their coworkers think "wow he's got a nice ride and a nice job, he's moving on it," they offer a SUV *and* minivan for when that man or woman is married and has kids, and they'll soon offer the old executive's convertible (Eos). You can see that each new car has a direct-to-business-professional stereotype built into it. Heck, the first NEw Beetle Convertible ad showed a young 20s-something executive clammoring for the thrills of outside life as he spied the car from the breezeway. It's written all over the wall. (Yes, Virginia, the Beetle will soon be dead).

Onto this VW shouldn't make a van. I think THEY SHOULD. They were THE FIRST. I am also bothered by the D/C joint venture, BUT D/C has made Vans the entire time VW did not. They know the US market, VW has a better knowledge of how to build a car. If this plays out right you'll have an engine that can be serviced by ANY D/C dealer worldwide, with VWs style and durability. I agree that the EuroVan was poorly marketed (the "EuroVan.. nothing mini about it" with hitchhikers ad was cute), but also VW has lost "the van edge," because people want another Microbus before they'll look at a EuroVan. The Beetle, essentally, got folks back to the lot. 7 years later they have cars that can compete with the overly popular Toyta Corolla (aka Jetta V) and the Ford Explorer (Hello, Touareg).

It's all business. VW is a company, not a person, and they want to stay in business. That means selling more cars, year after year. It's a numbers game.

So... D/C, as long as it's just mechanical parts they bring, could allow us to see the NEXT microbus, but likely i'll look like all the other minivans (they all really DO kind of look the same, I don't care what you say), but with a rocking interior that'll match no other. Little things like dual climate control, likely in-headrest TV monitors for the back seat occupants, and a DVD-navigation system all standard on a $26,000 minivan ... that would give Dodge and Ford a death knell. Really, it would.

So.. VW... as a van maker.. hell yeah. We'll see the adventerous ones come out of the woodworks for that (VW Bus owners and VW Bug owners are two different types -- ask any VW Club!) and will love it. Those who don't know but like the options, may get swept into the culture. Those of us who point and laugh or walk by with our noses in the air... just need to get over it.

Vans are useful. I can't say that enough. Beetles are useful, too. No, I don't haul 4-5 people every time I'm in mine, it's usually me and the iPod. No more than two, usually. But I hve carried 5 in it before. I have also moved a sofa, a chair, several futons and other objects in my car. Why? I believe I can. I'd do it if I had a Scion or Honda, too. I'm just like that. Would I buy a VW Van? If it came in a Westfalia (and I bet it will) with a Diesel I'd be ALL over it. It'd be a car I'd use one month out of the year, unless I needed to move to haul something. But thats ok.

And, this puts VW back into the minds of those who think anything less that moves less than 6 people is unacceptable for their needs.

[Beeble]

Hardly anyone uses a car as their primary vehicle & most people dont even have a 'car'.

Agreed that most people are morons. (I know that's inflammatory, but I can prove mathematically that half of them are of below average intelligence!) But if they need the space, or think they do, then that's where the market is. Not building what they want is not going to change many opinions. We'll let OPEC work on the other angle....

[GatorBeetle]

I'll reserve judgement until they release some more info on design and how they will be marketing/packaging them...as long as they don't look like this...

[pdoel]

How about keeping this thread on topic, and that is to discuss the actual product. Not whether or not people are morons for buying them.

You want to have that discussion, take it to hot topics.

[Dorado]

A nice handling and fuel efficient VW minivan would sell well in the US, and that's what matters. People thought that VW selling a 40-50k SUV would be ridiculous, well, it already sells better than the Golf and GTI combined in the US:

http://www.hostdub.com/PanEuropean:2005_YTD_Sales:full

So the Golf, by far VW's bestseller worldwide, is outsold here in the US by a newly introduced luxury SUV with an unpronounceable name. Some markets are very different.

We would buy a Sharan TDI wagon if it were available...:)

[TechnoTrix'd]

I'll reserve judgement until they release some more info on design and how they will be marketing/packaging them...as long as they don't look like this...

I'd buy that for a dollar!!...hehehe

Regarding the droning ramblings of "Mini-vans are for mindless, barbie, soccor mom's", get a grip...

It is a car folks. Metal, plastic (lots) and rubber tires. We own one, and that is because we have 3 very active children, and we are not a couch-potato family.

In our "current" stage of life, we really benefit from all of the positive features that a mini-van provides. Space, comfort, safety, etc....

Now, when we move out of this phase of life, will I still own a mini-van. Heck no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is a mini-van the "ultimate driving machine"?? Get real.......:lol:

Does a Dodge/Chrysler mini-van compare to the EuroVan or the T3 or T2's...nahh

Now, if VW does produce a Chrysler based mini-van, would that be a good thing for VW. Absolutely! I would trade my current Dodge badged one for a VW badged one in a heart beat if it were available and the price points were similar.

Oh, and lets take Pete's advise on this topic gang....


How about keeping this thread on topic, and that is to discuss the actual product. Not whether or not people are morons for buying them.

You want to have that discussion, take it to hot topics.



Peace....TechnoTrix'd.....:wave3:

[TechnoTrix'd]

A nice handling and fuel efficient VW minivan would sell well in the US, and that's what matters. People thought that VW selling a 40-50k SUV would be ridiculous, well, it already sells better than the Golf and GTI combined in the US:

http://www.hostdub.com/PanEuropean:2005_YTD_Sales:full

So the Golf, by far VW's bestseller worldwide, is outsold here in the US by a newly introduced luxury SUV with an unpronounceable name. Some markets are very different.

We would buy a Sharan TDI wagon if it were available...:)

Great point! And I agree that if the new VW mini-van had the TDI option, their would be one sitting in my driveway (well, only for about 6 years..)

Never know, the Dodge and Chrysler versions may get the "Jones next door" complex and add the same TDI to their lines as well.

Not seeing a downside yet gang....:wink2:

[mezonesxbox]

I would love the Microbus!!!:) But on VW made of course...

12671

[Oyveychris]

See, the new Chrysler-Wagen would have "stow-n-go buy something more interesting" seats. I have had a Chrysler product in the last few years and was not impressed by the long term durability. Not a great idea to get mixed up with a company that has dubious product quality when you are trying to extend your market segment abroad and are starting to finally work out your own quality problems.:(

[Deserion]

See, the new Chrysler-Wagen would have "stow-n-go buy something more interesting" seats. I have had a Chrysler product in the last few years and was not impressed by the long term durability. Not a great idea to get mixed up with a company that has dubious product quality when you are trying to extend your market segment abroad and are starting to finally work out your own quality problems.:(

Daimler-C has been improving their products... plus, they do have a nice slice of the minivan pie in the US.

-Des

[larryziegler]

Daimler-C has been improving their products... plus, they do have a nice slice of the minivan pie in the US.

-Des

They are losing that slice of the pie....rapidly on the West Coast....The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are regarded as the 2 best minivans on the street and there are far more of them on the streets out here than the Daimler-C products, excepting rental fleets that is. They are both made in North America, which gives US/Canadian workers jobs. I've driven the Odyssey and Grand Caravan on long trips (400 miles plus) and there is no comparison of fuel economy, power, comfort, or long term durability. I'd prefer to see VW use one of their own designs myself, but can see the economic side of it as well....as long as that is a lead in product for something else coming maybe 4-5 years from now.

[Oyveychris]

My wife has an 06 Toyota Sienna and my father-in-law says that it rides better than his Mercedes!

[mentalVdub]

My wife has an 06 Toyota Sienna and my father-in-law says that it rides better than his Mercedes!

what!?!?!

not possible!!!

what kind of benz does he own:confused:

[Deserion]

Also, from what I have read, VW is only going to do this for a few years until they get their own van set up for the North American market.

-Des

[Hambug]

I'll reserve judgement until they release some more info on design and how they will be marketing/packaging them...as long as they don't look like this...

Or maybe this,

[dunno513]

I love the what-if pictures. Ugly as heck, but made me laugh.

On the otherhand, the standard minivan has become such a "ford taurus" of the road. Practical, but IMHO, not what I want to be seen in.

Now the MicroBus, that is something that if I had 7 kids :calvin: I could drive around and hold my head high (understand I'm a guy) If you think people make fun of guys in NB's, then you have to hear what they say of them driving around in Minivans. :p

Chevy tried to masculin'ize (is that a word?) the minivan, but that just turned into a glorified Astro with wierd lights. No one has made a people hauler since the first minivan appeared that is worthy of turning heads.

This may be the chance that minivan land has been waiting for. Now just give it a diesel and the ability to tow something larger than a log splitter and we'll be talking garage space.

[dunno513]

Just read an article and I really hope it's not related to this thread but here it is anyways.

http://autos.msn.com/as/minishow/article.aspx?contentID=4024039&s=bibendum2006

[GaryR53]

Speaking of Daimler-Chrysler, what do you guys think of the Smart car? The Smart ForTwo coupe, which has been all over Europe since 1998 is scheduled to be offered by Daimler-Chrysler in 2008. You can buy one right now, from Zap, but you'll pay almost $30,000 for it. Better to wait until 2008, when DC will introduce it to the U.S. market at around $15,000. If I don't get another Beetle when I've worn my present one out, I may get a Smart, if it's still in production by then.

Gary

[Pulgamovil]

LEt me write something about this venture since I think I am entitled to.

First of all I never had a minivan till 2000 wen I bought a loaded to the gills Grand Caravan, power everthing, 4 captain seats, DVD system, 3 zone air conditioning, 16 inch wheels the whol e enchilada. SEE PIC.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f64/redbarchetta54/minivanmacuspana.jpg

Well we have used it for a lot of hauling, for trips to acapulco twice to CAN CUN and the Mayan Riviera ( a 3400K mile trek), and basically now at 50 k Miles and 6 year old we have just a broken steering pump due to overheat, 1 serpentine belt and a change of tires, it has been one reliable beast. We have used it my wife and 2 kids and taken out the rear seat and took bikes, snorkel gear and such to trips, very confortable and nice to drive, with the 3.8 liter engine it has passing power to spare and its INCREIBLE easy to drive for hours.

I considered changing this minivan when SEAT and VW began selling the Alhambra/Sharan minivans but

With a 1.8 turbo with a 5 speed tiptronic they were slow and the auto trany is always "hunting", the rear door are not the SLIDE type they open just like a SUV door with hinges.
They lack a overhead climate system. They are gass guzzlers (even more than a DC minivan).

So I passed and some of my friends have sold their VW/SEAT minivans because they are smaller, HEAVY, not very practical, and bought Honda or Dc minivans.

VW is going to supply Diesel engines for DC in europe and interior design and DC will design the body and features and gas engines for "amerian" Minivans, I think its a good IDEA.... I really hope they do a good job and Ill change miy current Minivan, because the actual Dc minivans now selling are not as good as the one I Have....

For long trips with a lot of stuff the Minivan is Simply UNBEATABLE

[digitalputty]

Speaking of Daimler-Chrysler, what do you guys think of the Smart car? The Smart ForTwo coupe, which has been all over Europe since 1998 is scheduled to be offered by Daimler-Chrysler in 2008. You can buy one right now, from Zap, but you'll pay almost $30,000 for it. Better to wait until 2008, when DC will introduce it to the U.S. market at around $15,000. If I don't get another Beetle when I've worn my present one out, I may get a Smart, if it's still in production by then.

Gary

I LOVE the Smarts! And, I would totally get one! Especially for $15,000! :D I saw a FourTwo driving around town the other day. Dark blue and gray. Awesome! :D I saw them all over Italy when I was there as well. Tons of the roadsters too. :D

[GaryR53]

Unfortunately, they've canceled production of the roadster, which is a disappointment, as I was interested in possibly getting one. :(

But, the ForTwo is really my favorite of the two (or three, if you count the ForFour sedan, which they've also discontinued).

Gary

[ekroman]

I think Minivans are a much more practical and more efficient alternative to families with 2 or more children. Much better than the SUV's we're inflicted with today, which are tall, top heavy, inefficient, and full of egotistical morons.

I remember when I was in college, and we had gotten rid of our station wagon; I grew up with Ford station wagons, and they were great; drop the back seat and you could haul a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood in the back. My Father loved them for that reason.

We needed to haul something, and for the life of me, I can't remember what it was. Maybe a sofa, or something like that. We called U-haul, and when we figured out the mileage we were going, it was going to cost a fortune to move whatever this was about 200 miles.

So we rented a Dodge minivan. We brought it home, removed the seats, and went to get what we were hauling, and then returned it to the rental agency. It cost us about 1/3 of what a U-haul would have been, and it worked beautifully.

I don't have a minivan, since we don't need one right now. However, I would buy one before an SUV any day. I think they're very practical.

You have to understand something about the US auto market: we have different safety standards than Europe or Asia, so the manufacturers have to redesign much of the vehicle to make it pass US safety tests. I'm not saying the US has better safety tests, but different ones which make vehicle manufacturers redesign the structure under the skin so it can specifically pass US tests. VW doesn't want to invest a fortune to sell a Minivan in the US and lose their hides. So they'll partner with Chrysler to build a van to VW specs; this means some differences in the grill and front sheet metal, tail lights, wheels, interior, and suspension tuning. If we're lucky, we'll get a Benz or a VW motor.

I can see a minivan with VW's 2.5 liter 5 cylinder, either in a gas engine or TDI format, with a good 6 speed automatic. That would work for me.

Eddie

[pdoel]

I think Minivans are a much more practical and more efficient alternative to families with 2 or more children. Much better than the SUV's we're inflicted with today, which are tall, top heavy, inefficient, and full of egotistical morons.

Wow. Interesting.

Minivans weigh just as much as SUVs, are just as tall, and just as inefficient.

Heck, most CARS on the road today are extremely inefficient for what they are. It's sad that our precious tiny little NBs get such poor mileage. Mine gets 22-23mpg, that's it. Not too good for such a tiny little vehicle.

And you can find egotistical morons in just about any type of vehicle.

:rolleyes:

[englishman11]

If it happens, it needs to have AWD, instantly recognizable vw styling and a vw drive train. These things I think would make vw enthusiasts more attracted to this van.

Remember, many people who live where it snows will opt for an suv if a van doesn't have awd. They need the traction in the winter. This would be the best way to grab a chunk of the market in my opinion. And wouldn't it be just perfect if they had an option for a tdi in there?

I hope vw hold it's own in this collaboration. I don't need to see another generic looking minivan on the road, even if it has a vw badge.

[BUGSTUFF]

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.

[silverspeedbuggy]

Oops, just found this thread. Should have posted this here:
http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26099

[71beetle]

The Micro van (concept) would have sold here. This one will be a sales bust........

[BUGSTUFF]

I added my .02 cents to the other thread.....:D

[gadgetvise]

Have you noticed the VW Routan ads with Brook Shields hosting. The theme seems to focus on don't get pregnant or have a baby just to get on German engineered miny van.

cute

[pyerogue]

Epic bump.

We're doing some work with VW on the Routan, so if you have any other questions I can help.

I'm glad to hear you got the humor used in the Brooke ads - some people didn't think it was that funny!

Check out this interview with the General Manager of marketing for VW, he goes into more detail about what the idea behind the Routan is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVVWp7jg3TM