Comments on: Volkswagen “Routan” minivan to debut in Chicago

By: RLC

RLC — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:30:01 +0000

A joint venture between Volkswagen and Chrysler? Hitler is rolling over in his grave.

By: Astonman12

Astonman12 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:40:34 +0000

VW doesnt need a minivan. I have a feeling that this will be for VW what the R-Class was for Mercedes-Benz: a failure.

By: mazdaman

mazdaman — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:56:29 +0000

I’m not sure this is a smart move for VW in the U.S. since this market seems to be shrinking. As far as the final product, I’ll reserve passing judgement on this collaboration until I see the resulting product. It’s not fair to praise or ridicule an unseen product based solely on the reputation of the manufacturer.

As far as the silly name, what did you expect? It’s VW; the master of ridiculous model names. This is the company that renamed their compact hatch “Rabbit” in the U.S. and their upcoming compact SUV/crossover “Tiguan” (supposedly a combination of “tiger” and “iguana”?). For them to use a normal or appropriate model name now would be totally out of character for them.

By: Rotman

Rotman — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:32:24 +0000

@Autonut

I believe so, but I live on the continent, with only a few borders between here and the Walmart of Weapons, as former Yugoslavia is known now.

By: MikeFX

MikeFX — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:03:43 +0000

Am I the only one who thinks “Routan” looks too much like “rotton”? Couldn’t they have just used a name like “Rawful” or “Stucks”?

By: Rover3500

Rover3500 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:27:41 +0000

Becuase the minivan is NOT disappearing in other markets outside of USA. In Europe it remaisn an essential vehicle to have in your portfolio. And lets not forget, VDubs last minivan concept, the micro bus was awesome. That would have sold like britneys knickers on E-bay had it been made.

By: Brendino

Brendino — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:13:49 +0000

Thought this was just for Canada?

By: gizmo2

gizmo2 — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:33:43 +0000

The incventor of the Minivan bows into the market when it’s disapearing. Tell you how smart these guys are

By: DrFill

DrFill — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:51:30 +0000

Another in a long line of strategic errors by VW.
They should align any minivan they produce in America with the vaunted Microbus of the 60’s, in style and designation.
So they are making two errors here. Doesn’t look like, or sound like any retro legend to me.
Maybe Hyundai will tear apart the VW Microbus concept, and build it cheaper, call it the Hyundai Woodstock.
Can you beat a stick!
DrFill

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:36:16 +0000

Oh lawd, I can see it now. VW exterior, Chrysler interior, VW engineering. A true failure all the way round, hahaha!

By: richt62167

richt62167 — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:35:29 +0000

or this
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2006/01/its_official_ch.html

By: richt62167

richt62167 — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:28:16 +0000

SwerveEarly go to http://www.gizmag.com/go/6287/
and you will find what you wish for “VW Sprinter”

By: corvette

corvette — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:13:35 +0000

do we really need minivans?

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:01:34 +0000

If Nissan and now VW both think Chrysler engineering has something to offer, then I would see that as a very positive sign that not only is there a future for Chrysler, but also that their recent malaise has not put them too far behind the 8 ball.

By: rsg

rsg — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:43:48 +0000

They make one, or made one, with Ford in Europe too. They need to find better companies to partner with. The Sharan, I think it was called. It looks like this one is going to be Caravan with VW front and rear, and thus, quite lame. Wait till Chrysler puts 3 grand rebates and 0% financing on their version. Volkswagen’s going to have to do something similar and devalue their whole brand just to sell them. They should have done that microbus thing a couple years ago instead of the Toureg. They probably would’ve sold much better.

By: MY Si

MY Si — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:51:10 +0000

Um Okay… this is weird…..hopefully it will be more like a Microbus and less like a Eurovan…..

By: autonut

autonut — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:26:30 +0000

The irony of life: VW was the original inventor of minivan genre.

By: autonut

autonut — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:22:52 +0000

This is great new for Chrysler: they got to make money somehow.
Rotman aren’t guns illegal in UK?

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:05:01 +0000

VW is getting the Plymouth model.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:02:05 +0000

A new van based on the 3rd best Van presently in market. Sounds like a winner.

They should have based on the Dodge sprinter/tall model. Atleast it would be capable.

By: Rotman

Rotman — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:01:11 +0000

If it will be put in the market as a ‘cross over’ or ‘SUV’ type of thing, I will shoot at the first one I see driving around.