Dealers Offering Their Own Black Friday Deals

Car Guy

Auto dealers will be throwing some cash on the hood as they do at the end of every month.  And manufacturer’s are sweetening the pot with some nice incentives here in the frenzied Friday after Thanksgiving.  Edmunds.com has analyzed the very “door busters” and offers its list of the best buys.

Edmunds.com regularly lists the True Market Value® Deals of the Month. This month’s selections include:

• 2010 Acura TSX
• 2009 Chrysler Town and Country Limited
• 2009 Dodge Ram 1500
• 2010 Ford Edge
• 2010 Hyundai Sonata GLS
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK Convertible
• 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5S Coupe
• 2009 smart fortwo passion cabriolet
• 2009 Volkswagen Routan
• 2010 Volvo XC70

Edmunds has seen a 10% increase in traffic on its website in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  It’s usually a good barometer of shopping activity a week or two down the road.    Given the early reports from our reporters charting activity in the wee hours of Black Friday, there appears to be more shoppers and more items in the checkout–some early indicators that even here in Detroit there appears to be the beginnings of a modest recovery underway.

You gotta love the Muppets doing "Bohemian Rhapsody"

This is completely off-topic. I love the Muppets, and I love Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"

See Mom's Routan | Busy Moms Blog | Rolemommy

See Mom's Routan | Busy Moms Blog | Rolemommy



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Volkswagen Routan has lowest Total Cost of Ownership

The NADA website lists 5-year Total Cost of Ownership figures. http://www.nadaguides.com/home.aspx?l=1&w=28&p=0&f=5000 Click on "Cost of Ownership" on the home page, or the 5-year

If you research the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Volkswagen Routan with equivalent trim (MSRP $36,500 - 36,950), the TCO of the Routan is the lowest.

Specifically, the Town & Country is rated Worst at $51,579. Honda is rated Below Average at $54,329, Toyota Sienna is rated Average at $49,686, and Volkswagen Routan SEL w/RSE is rated Average at $48,009.

There is inconsistency with the ratings, since the Odyssey has much higher TCO than the Town & Country, yet is rated one star better. Nonetheless, before dealer concessions or special Volkswagen financing, the Routan has the best Total Cost of Ownership.

NADA includes Depreciation, Fees & Taxes, Financing, Insurance, Fuel, Maintenance, Opportunity Cost, and Repairs in their calculation.

VW's Sports Marketing: Targeted, Focused and Relentless

BNET Auto Blog

By Jim Motavalli | Nov 23, 2009
…Tim Ellis is director of marketing at VW, and he favors an aggressive approach that will help the brand achieve its extremely ambitious expansion plans. VW is the official automobile supplier of MLS, but that means a whole lot more than signage and a few commercials played during games. VW tries to plant its brand and image directly into the frontal lobes of sports fans through a truly hands-on approach that involves teams of subcontracted activation specialists not only following the MLS trail, but going to youth soccer events all over the country.

“A lot of brands just flash their logo up there,” Ellis said in an interview before the playoff game. “But we wanted deeper involvement and engagement with broader segments. And that meant engaging on a grassroots level and meeting the passion points.” VW’s American arm is based near Washington, DC and the team both sponsors the DC United soccer team and has a partnership with the Verizon Center, which hosts 250 events a year. “We use sports marketing to educate people about our products [which range from the compact Golf to the Touareg SUV] and build off positive awareness of the company,” Ellis said.

VW doesn’t have an image problem, exactly: People use associative words like “fun,” “cool,” “trendy,” “affordable” and “quality,” but they also, says Ellis, “think they know everything there is to know about the brand.” There is a low level of awareness of newer models such as the Tiguan, Routan and CC. “We suffer from our success,” Ellis said. “People know the New Beetle, the Golf and the Jetta, but they don’t know we have new vehicles reaching out to broader segments. Engagement with families is key.”

The Tiguan and Routan are perfect vehicles for, dare we say it, “soccer moms.” The negative association with that phrase may keep them out of the Routan minivan, but “activation” events and association with professional soccer (the hip David Beckham was on the field that day, and the stadium was packed) may help them get over the negative connotations. …

One of VW’s challenge is to get customers to tune in to diesels, such as the new Golf TDI, and consider them an environmentally friendly choice alongside hybrids like the Prius. “It really is an education issue,” Ellis said. “People associate diesels with the cars of the past, which were loud, smelly and offered poor performance.” Does VW use diesel pace cars during events like the Chicago Marathon? You bet!

Ben Friedson is director of sports marketing at VW, and he says, “We are constantly measuring our effectiveness in the sports space. We go on site and ask survey questions starting with people’s satisfaction with the food service and the venue, and moving on to asking about their retention of the fact that VW is a sponsor.”

Another marketing opportunity is with the Hispanic consumers, who are passionate soccer fans. Only 11 percent of VW’s U.S. customers today are Hispanic, so there’s a growth opportunity there—especially since VW is a familiar brand in Latin America.

Ellis and Friedson said that the world of sports marketing is full of temptations: teams court sponsors with offers of exclusive dinners with stars and other glamorous perks. Auto brands might sponsor the U.S. Open just because the CEO is into golf. “I demand that it works from the top,” and I want numbers, such as cost per impression,” Ellis said. Once it’s approved, I want steady checks to see how it is working in terms of meeting our objectives.”…

Jim Motavalli is the author of Forward Drive: The Race to Build Clean Cars for the Future, among other books. He has been covering the environmental side of the auto industry for more than a decade, and writes regularly on those topics for the New York Times.

How does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan SE compare to the 2010 BMW 750i?

The Motor Trend judges scored both the Routan and the 750i with 23 out of 35 stars in 7 categories. Broadly, it means to me that the judges are just as pleased and disappointed with the Routan as a mini-van as they are with the 750i as a luxury 4-door sedan.

First off, the BMW is 3 times the price--$31,250 Routan SE vs. $90,870 BMW 750i. The judges evaluated 7 features: Engineering; Design; Interior; Performance: Ease of Use; Safety; and Value. You could say that 5 stars is "Impressive", 4 stars is "Nice", 3 stars is "Meh", 2 stars is "Lacking" and 1 star is "What were they thinking.

The judges felt that the Design and Interior of both is "Meh." The BMW has "Nice" performance and "Lacking" ease of use. The Routan has "Lacking" performance and "Nice" ease of use. While the 750i's safety is "Nice", the Routan's is "Impressive." The BMW's "Nice" engineering beats the Routan's "Meh".

Overall, the judges felt that both vehicles had a value of "Meh." Considering that the field of 2009 introductions included the Prius with "Impressive" engineering, BMW Z4 sDrive 35i with "Impressive" design, Porsche Panamerea S with "Nice" interior, Ford Mustang GT with "Impressive" performance, Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited with "Imressive" ease of use, Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan with "Impressive" safety, and Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT with "Impressive" value, coming out "Meh" or better in the majority of categories is pretty good.

For comparison purposes, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT has "Meh" engineering, Porsche Panamera S has "Meh" design, Lexus HS 250h has "Meh" interior, Mazdaspeed3 has "Meh" performance, BMW Z4 sDrive 35i has "Meh" ease of use, Suzuki Kizashi SLS has "Meh" safety (the Nissan 370Z Coupe has "Lacking" safety!), and Volkswagen GTI has "Meh" value. So, "Meh" isn't so bad.

Volkswagen Routan tied with BMW750i in Motor Trend Car of the Year ratings

Although a mini-van, the Routan held its own in the subjective ratings. It shares 15th place with BMW 750i, Honda Insight EX, Kia Soul Sport, and Nissan 370Z. The competition was tough: Ford Fusion is Motor Trend's 2010 COTY. The Routan competed against such other fine motor cars as the Prius, VW GTI, Porsche Panamera, Mustang GT, BMW Z4, Mercedes Benz E550 Sedan, and Chevrolet Camaro among others.

Besides being in very good company, the 2010 Volkswagen Routan SE (with the lesser of two engines and lesser appointments) beat out the likes of the Ford Taurus, Mercedes Benz E350 Coupe, Kia Forte Koup SX, and Suzuki Kixashi SLS. Before you go bad mouthing those that Volkswagen beat, consider: the Routan beat a Mercedes E-class.

The 2010 Contenders were rated on Engineering, Design, Interior, Performance, Ease of Use, Safety, and Value. How the cars were evaluated can be found at Motor Trend Car of the Year. Of the cars rated better than the Routan overall, Routan is considered to have strengths in areas.

Engineering-equal to Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), Buick LaCrosse CXS (11th), Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th), and Nissan Cube (12th).

Design-equal to Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Ford Mustang GT (3rd), Mazdaspeed3 (8th), Lexus HS 250h (12th) and Nissan Cube (12th); and better than Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited (6th) and Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th).

Interior-equal to Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), and Lexus HS 250h (12th); and better than the Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th).

Performance-equal to a Nissan Cube (12th).

Ease of Use-equal to Toyota Prius (2nd), Volkswagen GTI (3rd), Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Ford Mustang GT (3rd), Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th), Mazdaspeed3 (8th), Lexus HS 250h (12th), and Nissan Cube SL (12th); and better than BMW Z4 sDrive 35i (6th), Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), Buick LaCrosse CXS (11th), and Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th).

Safety-equal to Toyota Prius (2nd), Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th), Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT (8th), and Lexus HS 250h (12th); and better than Volkswagen GTI (3rd), Ford Mustang GT (3rd), Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited (6th), BMW Z4 sDrive 35i (6th), Mazdaspeed3 (8th), Buick LaCrosse CXS (11th), Chevrolet Camaro RS (12th), and Nissan Cube SL (12th).

Value-equal to Volkswagen GTI (3rd), and Porsche Panamera S (3rd); and better than BMW Z4 sDrive 35i (6th), Mercedes-Benz E550 Sedan (8th), and Lexus HS 250h (12th).

The Volkswagen shares the most ratings (57%) with the Porsche Panamera S (3rd), Lexus HS 250h (12), and Nissan Cube SL (12th).

It shares no ratings with the Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited (6th) and BMW Z4 sDrive 351 (6th).

Demographics of Routan Owners

The Russian-language blog at http://avtomobos.ru/?p=52 asks: "What are the demographics of Volkswagen owners?" Let's help the blogger out by sending our demographics as Routan owners (or other VW owner, I suppose): owner, household status, age(s), age(s) of child(ren), Routan year and model, and country. The comments box is the same as all other languages: name, e-mail address, web site (optional), and comment space.

Can you believe it—Volkswagen Routan is Contender for Motor Trend 2010 Car of the Year!

I’ve excerpted a portion of the Motor Trend post. The link to the whole article is here.
I revise this post as I pull my foot out of my mouth. My esteemed critics state that to be a contender, you just have to show up. So, my comment about "I coulda been a contender." may have been premature.

However, @michaelbanovsky says: "I will say that I'll be shocked if the Routan doesn't finish dead last." I don't expect the Routan to win COTY in my wildest dreams. But, outright negative comments were made about the Honda Insight, Lexus HS250H, and Mazda3. We'll see.
2010 Car of the Year - The Year the Car Biz Changed | Car News Blog at Motor Trend

Posted November 13 2009 02:19 PM by Angus MacKenzie
Filed under: Car of the Year, The Big Picture

The past 12 months has been truly apocalyptic for the auto industry. GM, once the proud symbol of American enterprise and the very engine room of American capitalism -- broke; Chrysler, the scrappy survivor that somehow always drove back from the brink with a killer new product -- bust; Ford, the company that put the world on wheels -- hanging on by its fingernails. Detroit is bruised, battered and bleeding. The icy wind blasting down Woodward Ave this winter has an especially bitter edge.


CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY
…This was the year everything changed in the car biz. Well, almost everything: As we celebrate our 60th year, Motor Trend's Car of the Year is still the award every automaker wants to win.


CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY
Just five American cars are eligible this year, but all are heavy hitters. …



CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY
Asian automakers dominate the 2010 COTY line up, with 11 new or significantly improved cars… European brands account for seven contenders, including hugely significant cars from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche…
Motor Trend's Car of the Year is not a comparison test -- each vehicle is judged against our six criteria. The process starts at the 4300 acre, $58 million Hyundai/Kia Proving Ground in California, where each contender is put through the complete series of Motor Trend performance tests to give the judges baseline data from which to work.


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Each judge drives each contender around a 13.5 mile loop that takes in the proving ground's high speed track, the freeway surfaces road, and the demanding winding road. The judges also conduct detailed static reviews, looking at design, build quality, engineering innovations, and features. Daily meetings discuss strengths and weaknesses in detail.
The aim of this first phase is not to pick the Car of the Year, but eliminate those vehicles that do not measure up against the key criteria. As always, some vehicles fall well short of the high standards required for a COTY winner. Others come tantalizingly close.
For phase two of the judging process, we move away from the controlled environment of the Hyundai-Kia proving ground, and out onto real world roads, courtesy of a 28.5 mile road loop based out of Tehachapi, California. We've found how these cars work at their limits: now we find out how they work in everyday driving conditions.


CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY
The focus here is on the detail stuff. Each judge drives each contender over the route, which includes stop-start city driving, two lane blacktop, canyon roads and freeway stretches, offering a variety of surfaces and a variety of speed and powertrain load conditions.
After all the testing, the driving, and the tire-kicking, we convene one last time to debate, discuss, and decide which of the contenders is our Car of the Year.
We'll announce the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year on Tuesday, November 17. And for the first time in history, you can be right there as we break the news to the world. How? Simply log on to motortrend.com next Tuesday at 1.30pm EST/10.30am PST, and you can watch me reveal the winner live via our streaming video feed.
I'll tell you this much now: COTY 2010 was one of the toughest ever, with four cars receiving primary votes from the judges. Our winner nailed an overwhelming majority, though, and proves that even in the midst of a most turbulent year, sweating the details on product engineering, not financial engineering, is the right thing to do.
HERE'S THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2010 CONTENDERS:
BMW 7 SERIES
BMW Z4
BUICK LACROSSE
CHEVROLET CAMARO
FORD FUSION
FORD MUSTANG
FORD TAURUS
HONDA INSIGHT
HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE
KIA FORTE
KIA SOUL
LEXUS HS 250H
MAZDA3
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS
NISSAN 370Z
NISSAN CUBE
PORSCHE PANAMERA
SUBARU LEGACY
SUZUKI KIZASHI
TOYOTA PRIUS
VOLKSWAGEN GTI
VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN

2010 Car of the Year - The Year the Car Biz Changed | Car News Blog at Motor Trend

You can find a lot of Volkswagen in the Routan

I had the opportunity to drive a 2009 Jetta as a loaner for a few days this week, and it struck me how many different things Volkswagen carried over. There are mostly small things, but they convey the "look and feel" of VW.

The first thing I noticed was the passing signal. Usually, you can operate the turn signal stalk to the detent, and the turn signal will flash. It stops signalling when you let go rather than waiting for the steering wheel to turn far enough to cancel it. In Volkswagens, you move the stalk to the detent and let go--the signal flashes 3 times. The Routan has that feature.

Volkswagen uses a ceiling console mounted red light to illuminate the front seat cupholders. The Routan has that as well.

The Jetta had a 6-speed automatic transmission. During mild acceleration, it shifted in a progressive pattern--each gear holding to a little higher RPM than the previous gear before shifting. Semi-tractor drivers often use this shifting pattern because it efficiently runs through the gears and saves fuel. The Routan does that as well. I know this is something Volkswagen can control on the Routan because its transmission is programmable. You can have the programming changed on the Routan if you need to. I believe VW spec'ed the Routan to have this shifting experience.

As a side note, a Canadian paper article talked about the construction of the Routan at Chrysler's Windsor plant. The article stated that Routans are final inspected by Volkswagen employees. I believe this is to ensure quality commensurate with the Volkswagen name.

The more I drive my Routan the more it reflects a bumper sticker I saw once talking about Christians--"not perfect, just forgiven."

Routan Preferred over Sienna

A comment to the article 2011 Toyota Sienna Third Generation Minivan World Debut in L.A. made by Siawa said: "Still ugly. Still prefer Honda Odyssey or VW Routan over it." There's a right minded auto commentator.

CanadianDriver's New Car Buyer's Guide: Volkswagen Routan

Note:  The specs in this article apply to Routans sold in Canada. The U.S. models are S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. They generally correspond to the Canadian Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and Execline. Pomegranate Red is still available in the U.S., and Tanzanite is added. U.S. models don't get the block heater. See http://www.vw.com/routan/en/us/ for U.S. specs.

CanadianDriver

CanadianDriver's New Car Buyer's Guide 2010:
Volkswagen Routan
NEW FOR 2010:
- Standard engine block heater, white-illuminated displays and gauges, fuel saver indicator, and first-row active head restraints
- Comfortline adds standard heated front seats, and optional auto-dimming rearview mirror, Multimedia Package and UConnect hands-free phone system
- Highline adds standard auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals and UConnect hands-free phone system
- Execline adds standard chrome door handles, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats, UConnect hands-free phone system, and 60/40-split power-folding rear bench seat with tailgating function
- Roadside Assistance now 4-years/80,000 km instead of 4-years/unlimited mileage
- Exterior colours: Meteor Grey Metallic and Cocoa Bean Pearl added; Blonde Maple Metallic, Pomegranate Red Pearl and Atlantis Blue Pearl discontinued

An all-new model for 2009, the Volkswagen Routan adds new standard or optional features for 2010, including a block heater, new-look gauges, and active head restraints for the first row. Depending on the model, other new features include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable metals, a power-folding third-row seat, and hands-free phone operation.
Built in Canada by Chrysler, with final quality inspection by on-site Volkswagen employees, the Routan is based on the Chrysler Town & Country minivan. Only the roof, doors and driveline are shared; front and rear styling, interior design, and suspension tuning are unique to the Volkswagen version. Unlike the Chrysler, the Routan does not offer Stow 'n Go second-row seats that fold into the floor, but it does have the covered storage bins in the floor. Swivel 'n Go seating is also unavailable.

The Routan uses a 4.0-litre V6 engine, with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Trim lines are the Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and Execline.

Features on the Trendline include 16-inch steel wheels, manual three-zone climate control, black door handles and mirrors, privacy glass, chrome grille with black slats, heated mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, intermittent rear wiper, cruise control, front and rear floor mats, keyless entry, vanity mirrors, conversation mirror, CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary jack, tire pressure monitoring system, four-way manually-adjustable front seats, second-row fold-flat bench seat, 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seat with tailgating function, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, covered second-row floor bins, dark rhodium trim accents, auto up/down front windows, and third-row power vent windows.

The Comfortline adds 16-inch alloy wheels, power-sliding doors, body-colour door handles and mirrors, chrome grille with chrome slats, black roof rails, anti-theft alarm, trip computer, illuminated vanity mirrors, six-CD/DVD/MP3 stereo, Sirius satellite radio, eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, fold-flat second-row captain's chairs, garage door opener, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and second- and third-row manual sunshades.

The Highline adds automatic three-zone climate control, automatic headlamps, fog lights, power sunroof, power tailgate, sliding and removable front centre console, second- and third-row LED reading lights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated second-row seats, power-adjustable pedals, UConnect hands-free phone system, brushed aluminum trim, and leather upholstery.

The Execline adds 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles, xenon headlamps, heated chrome mirrors with integrated turn signals, silver roof rails, multifunction trip computer, 115-volt outlet, remote starter, navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system with twin nine-inch LCD displays, eight-way power front seats, two-position driver's side memory, 60/40 split-folding power third-row seat with tailgating function, rearview camera, and leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.

2010 Volkswagen Routan Specifications:
Type -4-door, 7-passenger full-size minivan
Layout -Front engine/front-wheel drive
Engine -4.0-litre V6, SOHC, 24 valves
Horsepower -251 @ 6000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) -259 @ 4100 rpm
Transmission -6-speed automatic
Tires -P225/65R16 all-season
Tires Execline -P225/65R17 all-season
Curb weight -2096 kg (4620 lbs)
Wheelbase -3078 mm (121.2 in.)
Length -5143 mm (202.5 in.)
Width -1953 mm (76.9 in.)

Height -1750 mm (68.9 in.)

Ground clearance -154 mm (6.1 in.)

Cargo capacity -2350 litres (83.0 cu. ft.)(rear seat
folded)
Towing capacity -907 kg (2000 lbs)(base)
1633 kg (3600 lbs)(w/towing package)
Payload capacity -544 kg (1199 lbs)
Fuel consumption -City: 12.2 L/100 km (23 mpg Imp); Hwy: 7.9 L/100 km (36 mpg Imp)
Fuel type -Regular
Warranty -4 yrs/ 80,000 km
Powertrain warranty -5 yrs/100,000 km
Side airbags -N/A
Curtain airbags -Standard
Anti-lock brakes -Standard
Traction control -Standard
Stability control -Standard
Assembly location -Windsor, Ontario
*Specifications subject to change

2009 VW Routan Minivan Review « Zen5.me

Zen5.me blog

Review of VW Routan
We purchased our VW Rountan as a used 2009 minvan with 14,000 miles on it. We bought the extended warranty of 6 years and 100,000 miles. Here is what I like about the van and what I don’t like:
Like:
1. Remote start: This is a great feature to start your car ahead of time without having to go outside – it allows you to cool down or warm up your car – and it is just a really cool feature.
2. Automatic with shifting – I didn’t think I would care about this feature but I really love it. When I need to downshift to pass another vehicle or if I am on a hilly road, it is very nice to be able to handle your own shifting (yet clutch free) and use regular automatic when in more normal driving conditions.
3. Seat heat warmers get VERY hot, which I imagine will be really nice on a cold day.
4. The wireless headphones so that I don’t have to listen to the TV when the kids are watching it, I can listen to my stereo!
5. The Bluetooth connection is great.
6. Having a hard drive and an Aux connection is great
7. I really like having the rear camera for backing out especially with how big the van is.
8. Having 3 power doors.
Dislike:
1. The force and location on the air vents. It gets really hot in NC in the summer and I wonder if the AC will make me feel cool enough, I am used to the high speed, freezing cold air blowing in my face in my Sienna – the Routan doesn’t angle up enough to hit my face and the amount of cold air does not seem like it will be enough.
2. The dual TV’s block my rear view out the window.
3. The controls to use both DVD players are not very user friendly – especially the DISC one, the VES works easier.
4. The fact that you can’t store the front seats in the floor.
5. The van is very long and bigger than the other minivans although it has less head room for really tall people.
6. Watch out that you don’t hit someone in the head with the power lift-gate.
7. I wish the engine had a little more power – it is not bad for a minivan but a little more spunk would be nice.
I will add to this list as I come up with more likes and dislikes.

This commercial was created for Latin audiences, but it translates great

YTD October, 2009 Routan Sales

This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America. The Routan is holding its market share, even though Volkswagen of America has not had  an active advertising agency for a number of months. The Routan has to establish its identity, since the American public has not thought of Volkswagen as a minivan brand for several years.
On February 6, 2008, Associated Press reported, in part: "[Volkswagen of America President and CEO Stefan] Jacoby said the minivan market still is approaching 1 million vehicles a year, and Volkswagen would like to capture 3 to 5 per cent of that.

"It's big, and we want to have a decent share in it," he said."

PRNewswire published the October and YTD sales figures of the auto-makers who sell in the U.S. From these reports, we glean the following data:

Brand YTD - 10/09

Chrysler 68,879

Dodge 73,939

Honda 84,761

Hyundai 3,424

Kia 24,730

Mazda 15,771

Nissan 8,083

Toyota 68,021

Volkswagen 13,308

Total 360,916
Volkswagen's market share of sales is 3.69%, right where Volkswagen of America was aiming for. In a market where most auto manufacturers' sales are down year-to-year, Volkswagen gained market share where they had none.

2009 VW Routan Van lease rate October

oDotSix... it is "THE" BLOG

A Coworker is looking for a Van, checking out the Certified pre-owned Honda Odyssey and found out that a low miles EX model would cost almost $25k. Then, we discovered that the VW Routan (aka Town and Country etc... ) are running some aggressive promotion.
0% up to 72 month in addition to $1500 cash, plus another $1~2k hidden rebate.
Yeah, i know someone might be looking at leasing it due to concern about long term reliability. Here it is
Routan S 36mo 15k/yr MF 0.00033 residual 38%
Routan S w/ rear entertainment system 36mo 15k/yr MF 0.00033 residual 36%
Routan SE 36mo 15k/yr MF 0.001 residual 38%
Routan SE w/ RES 36mo 15k/yr MF 0.001 residual 36%
So, in terms of monthly payment, you are looking at around $350 for 72mos ($0 down)
For lease, it's about the same payment but you need to pay the inception fee up front. As i always see, it's better to lease newer year model and purchase older year model because the residual for older model always kill the deal. I will check again for 2010 program when the van is available.
Posted by oDotSix at 9:48 PM

Pardon My French

Autonet.ca has a post Face à face : Dodge Grand Caravan contre Volkswagen Routan. I don't speak French, so I used the Bing Translator to give me an approximation of what the article says. The translation is, I suspect, very literal while the article was written in the idiom, e.g., in English we change our minds, but the French change gun shoulders. Nonetheless, here are some interesting excerpts:

• Even if the Routan derives directly from Grand Caravan, Volkswagen does not exactly target the same customer. It wants to rather join a clientele of luxury, van for example that of Honda Odyssey.
• First, you should be aware that if you are considering leasing, single Volkswagen can accommodate you and at a fairly low rate. Related to the purchase, force is to admit that the surprise is total. As you'll see on the table below, we compare two popular versions of the Town & country models and Routan, whose equipment is almost identical. And that is important to your method of payment, Volkswagen prevails.
• Obviously, you may be entitled to dealers, loyalty discounts or other discounts that could induce you to change your gun shoulder. Except that currently, by comparing apples with apples, Volkswagen remains less expensive. You are skeptical? Then, be aware that a similar exercise carried out with a Dodge Grand Caravan SXT motor 4,0 litres and a basic Trendline Routan (two comparable products) gives the same result.
• You will have noticed, the Routan is first different aesthetic level.
• In closing, be aware that Volkswagen displays numerals fuel consumption slightly more advantageous than Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & country. Why? Simply because the body of the Routan is a more aerodynamic core.

In summary, the Routan looks different (I think better), has different interior materials and a different ride (I think both are better), is more aerodynamic, and costs less.

Chrysler readies for hybrid, diesel minivans

This news story is over a year old, however it cites sources that indicate that Volkswagen has plans to put a diesel in the Routan.
Canwest News Service

Hybrid and diesel-powered minivans are just around the corner, starting with a Dodge Grand Caravan that will almost certainly be built in Windsor.

By Canwest News Service
July 15, 2008

Hybrid and diesel-powered minivans are just around the corner, starting with a Dodge Grand Caravan that will almost certainly be built in Windsor.
Chrysler could be the first minivan maker to bring a hybrid to market, but it won’t be last, says J.D. Power and Associates - Toyota also has plans to offer a hybrid Sierra by 2010.
And to meet the growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, Volkswagen and Honda are likely to offer diesel versions of their minivans. VW starts assembling its Routan van in Windsor next month, on contract in Chrysler’s van assembly plant. …
But some professional industry observers believe the decision has already been made. Mike Omotoso, director of powertrain forecasting for J.D. Power in Detroit, said Monday he is advising clients to count on a handful of new powertrains to be available in showrooms by 2010.
Based on information gleaned from suppliers and other sources, J.D. Power reports that Chrysler intends to put its two-mode hybrid system in the Grand Caravan starting next year. …
Both Honda and Volkswagen are likely to follow the hybrids to market with diesel-powered vans, he said. "There is some talk of Honda putting a diesel in the Odyssey in the next couple of years." Honda has a range of diesel engines available in almost everything it sells in Europe.
Volkswagen could go in two directions with its Routan - either by offering one of its own four-cylinder diesel engines, which would offer excellent fuel economy but be considered rather underpowered compared to gasoline-powered minivans, or by offering the three-litre Mercedes diesel that Chrysler is currently offering as an option in its Grand Cherokee.
The Mercedes diesel puts out 200 horsepower and an overwhelming amount of torque - in the range of 400 foot-pounds, Omotoso said. But its fuel economy is less than stellar, at a combined city/highway rate of about 35 miles per U.S. gallon,. …
cvanderdoelen@thestar.canwest.com
© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.

My Comments on Consumer Digest Best-Buy Recommendations

Volkswagen Routan is one of Consumer Digest's Minivan Best-Buy picks for 2010. Honda, Kia, Dodge, and Chrysler are also listed. Conspicuous by its absence is the Toyota Sienna.

It was my experience when I bought my 2009 Volkswagen Routan SEL that I was able to get a lot of value for my money with the Routan. Honda and Toyota did not have the same consumer incentives available, nor were the dealers as willing to negotiate. Interestingly, during the "Cash for Clunkers" program the Honda and Toyota minivans did not qualify to replace my 1994 Infiniti Q45, but the Routan SEL with the 4.0L did.

Consumers Digest Magazine names 2010 Automotive Best Buys

Car Blog
Thirty-six vehicles and 12 companion models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest out of some-240 total 2010 models.
The ratings, published in CD’s December issue (on sale November 1), span 10 categories: Small Cars, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and Hybrids. The Best Buys–based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities–reflect CD’s view of which 2010 vehicles offer the most value for the money.
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Four “Pickups” and five “Minivans” earned Best Buys: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and GMC Sierra 1500 are the top pickups, and Chrysler’s Town & Country, Dodge’s Grand Caravan, Honda’s Odyssey, Kia’s Sedona and Volkswagen’s Routan are the best minivan values.
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“We really feel for the people across the country who are suffering through some tough times financially,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher. “We also know that some of them will have to purchase a new vehicle soon, and we hope that they take advantage of the work we have done on their behalf so that they get the most value possible out of their purchase.”
Weber says Consumers Digest’s editors consider automotive “value” to be based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design.
Performance characteristics evaluated include starting and acceleration, shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy. …
CD’s Auto Best Buys section includes photos, invoice pricing, standard features and performance traits that support the models’ Best Buy selection in the collective opinion of CD’s veteran automotive editors: Jim Gorzelany has served Consumers Digest readers for 22 years, including reporting on automotive categories, such as hybrids; Kevin Kelly is senior editor of Automotive Design & Production magazine; Jim Mateja writes a weekly Chicago Tribune auto column and has received numerous awards for his auto coverage; Dan Jedlicka has written about autos for 41 years and is a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury.
“Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new vehicle,” Weber says. “Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot.”
Source: Consumers Digest Communications, LLC