Volkswagen’s Future Products Revealed for 2011, 2012, and Beyond

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[The following must be machine-translated. I don’t know what the originating language is, but this article proves that you can’t leave translation to a machine.

Image via WikipediaI think the post says that the Routan will continue through the model cycle, and that it is doubtful that it will get Stow ‘n Go. VW will not bring the mini-minivans (Sharan and Touran) to the U.S. The Routan will be replaced with something the same size. The new Routan will have more VW characteristics. It won’t be a Microbus (Transporter). The Transporter available in Europe would cost about $60-70,000 here.

Image via WikipediaThis news follows what I have heard or surmised in the past. The current model cycle continues through 2013. I’m curious to see who will build Mark 2, and when the minivan will get a diesel. I’d buy a new one with a diesel in a heartbeat.]

Image via WikipediaRoutan – The Chrysler-sourced minivan will abide through its artefact cycle, and it is absurd that it will anytime get Chrysler’s Stow ‘n Go folding second-row seats. The Routan will be replaced with a similar-size vehicle, not a abate mini-minivan like the European Sharan or Touran, as has been appear elsewhere. VW is absurd to add added minivans to it artefact portfolio in the accountable future.

Microbus – Volkswagen will not acceptation a minivan from Europe to the U.S. The accepted Transporter awash in Europe would amount $60k to $70k if awash in the U.S. That said, VW hints that the abutting adaptation of the Routan—or whatever it’s called—will accept added VW cast characteristics. Like, say, a Microbus badge?

Related articles

• Volkswagen Aims at Fast Lane in U.S. (online.wsj.com)

The First Hybrid Minivan Will Come From Toy…. err… Chrysler?

[Hey Wallpapers]

July 2nd, 2010 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized |
…According to JD Powers, a Dodge Grand Caravan is in the works with both a hybrid and a diesel engine models. J.D. Powers is predicting that 7.5% of the 2010 lineup could sell as hybrid models. That would be 12-13,000 units.
Toyota plans on having a Sierra Hybrid on the road by 2010. VW has plans for a diesel Routan, while Honda is likely to bring a diesel Odyssey minivan, as well.

[This article is suspect in that it mentions the 2010 lineup as a future event. However, I have a post that says that Chrysler is selling a diesel T&C to England. I also posted the article that says the Routan will be around for at least 3 more years. Maybe we will see a diesel Routan soon.]

In response to "Volkswagen Routan May Be Dropped From Line-up, Good Idea?"

Image via Wikipedia

Motortrend.com has an article entitled "Volkswagen Routan May Be Dropped From Lineup, Good Idea?" Below is the comment I left on that article.

The Routan has the youngest ownership of all minivans. In fact, there are only a relatively few vehicles that have younger average ownership. The youngest being the Jetta. Routan is positioned right for VW's market.

I suspect that the Phaeton will be positioned as the last car the Baby Boomers buy. We are dying off, and our profit contribution is decreasing for multiple reasons. But VW may be making a demographic play (provide a new luxury sedan that old guys can like because it doesn't look like the car all of their buddies drive.)

VW was smart to start with the best selling minivan in the US. The Routan has the features that Americans want. It is somewhat differentiated from the Honda and Toyota van that are viewed as practical (read, old fogey). It has an up-market feel compared to the Grand Caravan (GC is plebeian). Chrysler Town & Country is for the pre-boomer who can't get in and out of sedans anymore and who remember when Chrysler meant quality and engineering. (My 75-year old Dad drives a T&C--though he likes my Routan and he says that people who call it a T&C wannabe are idiots.)

The Sharan won't sell here in large quantities. The most mentioned feature by Routan owners is the power sliding side doors. The younger American buyers want power sliding side doors. The Sharan has conventional doors that don't convert well to sliding doors. Some complain that their isn't enough room in the Routan--so how will they feel about even less room of the Sharan.

I hope VW continues to target the younger minivan market. I hope Version 2 is built in Chattanooga on a VW chassis but in the same size configuration. They must add a TDI.

I wouldn't be surprised if Fiat drops the minivan or sells it off with the Ram family. That will end the comparison between the VW minivan and the Chrysler minivan.

Now here's a thought, VW should buy Ram and the mini-van, along with the Windsor plant. Then the Routan won't be like the T&C, but maybe VW will sell T&C units through Fiat/Chrysler. This move would also get VW into the US truck business.

I feel that VW should keep an American minivan that draws a younger market, I have mixed feelings about the Phaeton. While I'm a baby boomer (who started late with babies of his own) who is curious about the Phaeton, I wonder why I would buy one instead of an Audi (it's sister car)?

Volkswagen Routan Diesel Rumors Abound

Rumors Blog

April 27th, 2010Rumors Articles No Comments

When Volkswagen needed to fill an important gap in their line up, the German automaker turned to Chrysler whose best selling line of minivans were just what the doctor ordered. …

…VW has a pair of sport/utility models in their line up, but no crossover model. Thus, the Routan minivan fills the gap whether it is a strong seller or not.

A Turbo Diesel Motor For VW?

But Volkswagen may need to expand the Routan to include a diesel engine option if it is to become a relevant player in the market. Volkswagen is currently in the middle of a quest to offer diesel technology as an option across all of its many model lines, thus leaving the Routan out would do the model some disservice.

Because the Routan is built by Chrysler, Volkswagen would perhaps extend this option to Chrysler to include these engines in the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Gran Caravan. That move would serve to share costs of selling diesel technology across the entire platform as well as make other modifications necessary to ensure that the minivans could handle a V6 diesel engine. Some have said that the current transmission pairing wouldn’t be appropriate as that gearbox wouldn’t be able to handle the added torque. Thus a modified transmission would need to be developed, an additional cost that consumers may not be willing to bear.

The Future of the Minivan

Chrysler has been widely credited with developing the modern day minivan, a segment it long dominated. The two Chrysler Group LLC models outsell the competition, …

Having recently exited bankruptcy and fallen under the control of the Fiat Group, Chrysler’s long term product plans aren’t quite clear yet. However, with their minivans still playing an important role in the market, Chrysler’s long term commitment to this line seems assured. With that in mind, Volkswagen will probably remain a willing partner, perhaps choosing to add a diesel offering at some point down the line.

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Touran vs. Sharan vs. Routan

[Note-I updated this post after a reader pointed out that I had mis-identified the vehicles. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. I believe my viewpoint is still valid, however.]

The re-worked 2011 VW Touran was introduced at the Leipzig Auto show this week and is creating quite a stir.

The Sharan is another MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) available in Europe. Both can seat 7.

People immediately compare these to the Routan, exclaiming that VW would have done much better to have imported the Touran or Sharan to America rather than commission the Routan.

The Touran and Sharan are smaller than the Routan. One of the criticisms of the Routan is that it doesn’t have as much hauling space as the Toyota or Honda. Do you think the mainstream minivan buying public would accept less space?

When you read Routan reviews written by “Minivan Moms,” the one feature they routinely praise is the power side doors and power lift gate. (I really appreciate these features on my Routan—I wish the driver door would power open for me.) The Touran and Sharan don’t offer a power lift gate.  I don’t believe the Touran can offer power side doors.

The rear seat of the Routan is reachable without moving either of the two middle seats. A rear seat passenger can enter or leave without another passenger having to get out of the vehicle. On the Touran and Sharan, however, one of the middle seat passengers has to move for a rear passenger to enter or exit. I see this as a major inconvenience—one of the reasons why I rejected 7-seat SUVs in my vehicle search.

The U.S. minivan market has changed considerably since 2003 when VW stopped importing the EuroVan. It would have been a market-demand mistake to clear the Touran or Sharan for the U.S.—they aren’t big enough or convenient enough. (As a case in point, Toyota stopped importing the Previa—about the same size as the Sharan—and created the Sienna to meet U.S. market demand.)

The one thing the Touran and Sharan have that I wish the Routan had was the TDI Diesel. Volkswagen, among others, has demonstrated that the new-generation diesels are cleaner and more economical than gas, and no longer make the sounds of your father’s diesel.

The European vehicles also come standard with a manual transmission. I would like that option for the Routan. However, many U.S. “Minivan Moms” don’t know how to drive a manual transmission—hence no minivan sold in America has one.

Volkswagen had the option of trying to convert the U.S. minivan market to be more European, or introduce a minivan that was more American but had some VW touches. While critics claim that the Routan isn’t “VW” enough (they don’t know the subtleties of the Routan over the T&C), it is American enough to be accepted with VW embellishments. Trying to change the U.S. taste is why Saab has remained a niche player.

Routan = Appealing; Odyssey = Not Sexy

In Automobile Magazine's "Top Five Fuel Friendly Peoplemovers" about fuel friendly people movers, the first 2 are hybrids. The 3rd is a diesel Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter. All of these are special category vehicles.

The 4th on the list is the Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country/Volkswagen Routan. Of the 3, Automobile Magazine commented: "...with the exception of the Routan's slightly more appealing looks, all of them are cut from the same Detroit cloth."

The 5th vehicle is the Honda Odyssey. Automobile Magazine says: "It might not be the sexiest minivan on the planet, but it's definitely the most  well-rounded."

The bottom line:
Volkswagen Routan = Appealing Looks
Honda Odyssey = Not Sexy

Automakers See Glass Half-Full After Flat November Sales

Auto Observer
This is a snippet from Auto Observer’s post:

Volkswagen Surge Continues
Volkswagen of America posted a 13.7-percent sales increase in November, the fifth consecutive month VW's sales have surpassed last year's marks.
Sales were powered by a whopping 307.5-percent blast from the surprising CC "coupe sedan," to 3,187 units for the month and year-to-date sales of 20,723. The Tiguan compact crossover also posted an 18.1-percent increase and even the low-volume Touareg crossover pulled ahead with a 14.3-percent gain for the month -- perhaps fueled by the new addition of diesel power.
Other winners at VW in November included the Jetta: In sedan configuration, sales increased by 13.2 percent, while the Jetta Sport Wagen body style appears to be pushing the right buttons, moving to a 67.7-percent increase for the month and 15,849 units for the year. The Passat wagon also enjoyed a slight gain.
But VW sales remain off by 6.1 percent for the year, with only the Jetta, Tiguan, CC, Routan (the CC and Routan were in early launch phases at this time last year) posting increased year-to-date sales. New Beetle sales amounted to a mere 594 units in November and have totaled just 13,408 for the year, while the Eos hardtop convertible also has faded; the Eos' year-to-date total of 6,754 sales is down by 45.5 percent.

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.

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.