The Routan boom could be coming to an end as Volkswagen is reportedly considering pulling the plug on the slow-selling minivan. The Routan launched in the United States in 2008, but has failed to lure buyers in any significant numbers.
Volkswagen spokesperson Jill Bratina revealed that “no decisions have been made regarding the Routan,†but also added that the minivan segment has been “significantly impacted by the economic downturn and has not fully recovered.”
Essentially a re-badged version of the Chrysler Town & Country , the Routan has only managed to capture about 4 percent of the U.S. minivan market. At one point in 2009, VW had an inventory of more than 16,000 unsold Routan vans – about three times the amount VW had sold in the previous 8 months.
VW executives have previously hinted that the Routan wouldn’t make it to a second life cycle, with VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby openly admitting the company “launched Routan at the worst moment.â€
References
1. ‘VW To Overhaul…’ view
