This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America.
Routan showed a percentage gain month-over-month and year-over-year.
The Routan is getting good exposure in the media. Deutch is placing the "Dad drives around the block twice" commercial on family oriented channels, where it airs frequently. Additionally, Apple uses a Routan to demonstrate the iPhone's ability to act as a car remote in the "My iPhone is the family's iPhone" commercial.
Research by Truecar.com indicates that 23.3% of Routan owners are younger than 35. Only the Volkswagen GTI has more owners under 35 in the U.S. at 23.4%. It would appear that Gen Y views the Routan as the best choice if they have to drive a minivan. Once they buy it, they seem to love it, as seen by their entries on blogs and Twitter.
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."
PRNewswire published the May and YTD sales figures of the auto-makers who sell in the U.S. From these reports, we glean the following data:
Brand YTD - 05/10
Chrysler 51,342
Dodge 41,265
Honda 43,296
Kia 7,909
Mazda 8,236
Nissan 166(discontinued)
Toyota 33,744
Volkswagen 6,561
Total 192,519
Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.41%, up from April and still in the range Volkswagen of America was aiming for.
