VW has announced that their new Routan minivan will debut at the Chicago Auto Show. Never heard of a "Routan," you say? Well, it's a byproduct of a VW-Chrysler get together. Chrysler's done the heavy lifting here, with VW sprinkling some people's car fairy dust upon it...
It's sort of ironic that VW invented the minivan back in the 1950's, only to have Chrysler and others rewrite the book on this vehicle type. Now VW is desperately trying to get back in the game with a very non-German vehicle. I haven't seen it yet, but my gut feeling is not good. I just have a very hard time with the thought of a VW-badged Chrysler. In any event, I guess we'll find out next month.
Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Chicago Auto Show Preview: Volkswagen Routan Just for U.S.
Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Chicago Auto Show Preview: Volkswagen Routan Just for U.S.
roar02ram says:
07:06 AM, 01/17/08
I'm ultra-curious to see if Chrysler let VW use its much-hyped & much-marketed Swivel 'n Go & Stow 'n Go seating. I don't see how they had much choice, but I don't see how giving VW that stuff can do anything BUT completely negate millions of marketing dollars. Plus, VW is known for good-looking interiors made out of good materials...Chrysler has the former, but not the latter. Don't know how VeeDub's gonna fix that one, either.
ateixeira says:
08:42 AM, 01/17/08
Well, VW offered rear facing seats before Chrysler did.
I actually think it would be funny if they DON'T now that Chrysler is helping them. LOL
estreka says:
11:15 AM, 01/17/08
I doubt enough people buy Swivel'n'Go to make it lucrative.
Any diesel implications?
mirth says:
11:16 AM, 01/17/08
What's with VW and their lousy cars names lately? Routan??? Toureg??? Tiguan???
alman08 says:
12:06 PM, 01/17/08
which company has better quality now a day? chrysler or vw? I read on the town & country forum and people are complaining like hell. Many can't wait to dump their new vans. Then I read on the passat forum, people are whinning about the quality of even the new cars. I personally have a 2002 passat and I'm one of the lucky fews who doesn't really have problems with mine. My neighbor has a toureg and hers is a regular at the local vw dealership.
I like the look of the Routan, but...
alman08 says:
12:07 PM, 01/17/08
also, are they going to price is higher because it's an import?
moparbad says:
07:41 PM, 01/17/08
VW had the opportunity to get the stow-n-go, swivel-n-go is exclusive to Chrysler, at least initially.
daytona_500 says:
07:44 PM, 01/17/08
Totally agree mirth. Usually I like having a real name as opposed to an alphanumeric ones, but in this case I'll take alphanumeric. Routan? What were they thinking.
moparbad says:
01:32 PM, 01/18/08
Routen
Croutan
Routund
O'Routang
Toutan