October 2010 YTD Sales of Routan

Image via Wikipedia

In addition to the Jetta, Volkswagen's Routan, Golf and GTI models had increases in sales compared to October 2009. The Routan sold 1,103 units, a 64.9 percent increase from the same month last year.

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 - 10/10
Chrysler       95,952
Dodge          83,158
Honda          89,230
Kia            18,872
Mazda          14,039
Nissan            177 (discontinued)
Toyota         81,384
Volkswagen     13,642

Total         396,454

Volkswagen's market share of vane sales is 3.44%, in the target range declared when the Routan was introduced.

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New Models Drive Luxury Sales in October; Momentum Continues for Others

Auto Observer

Volkswagen of America Inc., which has ambitious U.S. sales goals, increased October sales by nearly 18 percent from a year ago. Its sales were paced by the new Jetta, which had its first full month of sales and its best sales month since 2005, with the exception of last year's Cash for Clunkers period.
Volkswagen has taken heat for its price-reduced new Jetta, which critics charge the German automaker has cheapened too much in its effort to make it affordable to more customers. In addition to heavily advertising the Jetta's affordable price, Volkswagen is offering one of its biggest incentives ever for the nameplate.

Image via WikipediaAlso chipping into Volkswagen's total were higher sales of the Chrysler-built Routan minivan, Golf and GTI.

"Volkswagen continues to grow sales in all models and products through October," said Mark Barnes, VWoA's Chief Operating Officer. "It is good to see the all-new Jetta getting off to such a promising start and our TDI products continue to do well."

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• Foreign Carmakers Raced to Record U.S. Sales in October (dailyfinance.com)

Routan September, 2010 YTD Sales

This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America.

Volkswagen is not discontinuing the Routan. We will see how the current management positions the Routan--the van is frequently tied to the departed CEO Stefan Jacoby. However, the Routan's market share is in line with targets set at its introduction. See the article Get It Straight--the Routan Is a Phenomenal Seller on this blog for a discussion why the Routan would not be discontinued because of sales numbers.

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." Jacoby has since left the company to go to Volvo, but the Routan is still doing what they expected it to do.

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



Brand YTD - 9/10

Chrysler   87,493


Dodge      74,954


Honda      79,725


Kia        17,217


Mazda      12,865


Nissan        177 (discontinued)


Toyota     72,131


Volkswagen 12,539


Total     357,101

Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.51%, in the range Volkswagen of America was aiming for. This is, by the way, nearly twice their overall market share.

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Volkswagen of America Announces 14.9% Increase for September Sales

Jetta Leads the Way with Strong Month and First Sales of All-New 2011 Model

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. today reported September sales of 19,943 total units, for an increase of 14.9 percent over September 2009.  Year-to-date sales for the entire line of Volkswagen vehicles were up 20.6 percent over 2009.

Jetta led the way with sales of 10,769 vehicles, marking a 12.6 percent increase over last year and the best sales month for Jetta since August 2009.  Consumers began purchasing the all-new 2011 Jetta that arrived in showrooms late in the month.

Volkswagen's line of industry-leading clean diesel TDI models also showed particular strength in September with the second highest TDI mix ever at 27 percent of all Volkswagen vehicles sold during the month, indicating a growing importance of clean diesel TDI vehicles to consumers.

Vehicles across the Volkswagen line showed strength in September.  Combined Golf and GTI sales were up 252 percent; Tiguan sales were up 49.7 percent; Routan sales were up 33.9 percent; and Passat sedan sales showed a 10.6 percent increase for the month.
"Sales of Volkswagen's full line of products continued to grow in September," said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc.  "The Jetta, which is core to our growth plans in North America, showed a strong month with the very first sales of the all-new 2011 Jetta.  Our clean diesel TDI vehicles also showed strength, indicating consumers are increasingly seeking the performance and benefits of Volkswagen's TDI technology."
Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.  It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.  Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker.  Volkswagen sells the Eos, Golf, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.  All 2010 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program.  This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at http://www.vw.com/ or http://www.media.vw.com/ to learn more.

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Hot minivans drive Christmas bonus in Windsor

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 | 10:41 AM ET

CBC News

Chrysler has asked workers at the Windsor assembly plant, shown here in 2008, to work through their usual Christmas shutdown this year to meet high demand for the Dodge Grand Caravan. (Dave Chidley/Canadian Press)
High demand for minivans may make for a merrier Christmas in Windsor, Ont., this year.
Chrysler has announced it wants to keep production of its minivans moving right through the Christmas period.

'It should be a little bit of a boost to the economy of Windsor at a time obviously I would suggest we critically need a boost in our economy.'— Rick Laporte, CAW Local 444

Image via WikipediaNormally, there is a one-week shutdown at the Windsor assembly plant, which produces the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country and Volkswagen Routan.

Chrysler said it is anticipating high demand for its redesigned minivans.

Holiday pay plus double time

The company plans to run 12-hour days the week of Dec. 27, and the union doubts Chrysler will have trouble finding workers ready to cover the shifts.
"Those workers would be paid their holiday pay plus double time for being at work," said Rick Laporte, president of CAW Local 444, which represents the workers.
Laporte said the extra work is good news for all of Windsor.
"I would suggest to you it means more Christmas presents under the tree, more money spent in our economy, and it should be a little bit of a boost to the economy of Windsor at a time obviously I would suggest we critically need a boost in our economy."
Chrysler will start production of its new model minivans at the Windsor assembly plant later this fall.
It already has plans to build an additional 60,000 of the vehicles to meet expected demand.

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The Five Most Discounted Cars - The Car Connection

The Car Connection

By Sean Tucker Contributor September 10th, 2010
Five thousand dollars off.  Seven thousand dollars off.  Twelve thousand dollars off.
They may sound ridiculous, but these figures are actually just the jumping off points for negotation on a handful of cars this month. Customer incentives and factory-to-dealer incentives (when the automaker provides the dealer with a bonus for selling the car -- which you can work into negotiations, knowing the dealership will get that money once you sign) lower the prices of some cars by thousands before you even begin discussions with a dealer.
While most cars are discounted slightly this summer, thanks to a slow economy keeping auto sales lower than expected, some are discounted much more heavily than others.  Our pricing partners at TrueCar.com have helped us to find the most heavily discounted cars--and there's more variety to the list than we had expected.  There may well be something in your price range.

2009 BMW M6
Enlarge Photo
BMW M6 -- $12,500 off
BMW has announced the end of production for the 6-Series, and the tuned version put out by the M division goes out with it.  …They're extraordinary cars, powered by a V10 that won the International Engine of the Year award twice -- and they've never been cheaper.

Infiniti launches the 2008 QX56 SUV
Enlarge Photo
Infiniti QX56 -- $7,000 off
… Rumors have suggested several times in the last year that Infiniti will cancel its huge QX56 SUV soon.  The company has denied the move each time, but it is having a hard time selling the big, ultra-luxury 'ute in today's economy.  …
2010 Chevrolet Impala
Enlarge Photo
Chevy Impala -- $5,000 off
Though it's a historically great nameplate, the current Chevrolet Impala is simply outshone by most of its large car rivals -- the Ford Taurus takes the prize in that class.  …

2009 Volkswagen Routan comes with college tuition voucher
Enlarge Photo
Volkswagen Routan --  $5,000 off
Volkswagen isn't known for heavy rebates, but the Routan is a special case.  Essentially a Chrysler Town & Country with a few exterior and interior modifications and a mildly-reworked suspension, the Routan has never really appealed to VW's core audience of buyers looking for upscale European models without BMW price tags.  [DMW note—VW is apealing to the under-30 generation, and more Routan owners are under-30 than any other vehicle except VW’s own Jetta.] In order to sell them, the company …rebates of up to $5,000.   …

2010 Volvo XC70
Enlarge Photo
Volvo XC70 -- $5,000 off
…  The XC70 has always been an ever-so-slightly raised V70 with all-wheel-drive, and the company plans to continue importing it.  It has all the utility Volvo wagon fans love, and it's a better fit for many families in the snow belt.  Still, Volvo is having trouble selling them next to more attractive XC60s, so the 70 is available at a substantial discount.

Routan YTD August, 2010 Sales

This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America.

Volkswagen is not discontinuing the Routan. We will see how the current management positions the Routan--the van is frequently tied to the departed CEO Stefan Jacoby. However, the Routan's market share is in line with targets set at its introduction. See the article Get It Straight--the Routan Is a Phenomenal Seller on this blog for a discussion why the Routan would not be discontinued because of sales numbers.

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." Jacoby has since left the company to go to Volvo, but the Routan is still doing what they expected it to do.

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

Brand YTD - 08/10
Chrysler   78,492
Dodge      66,897
Honda      71,584
Kia        15,511
Mazda      11,756
Nissan        173 (discontinued)
Toyota     62,211
Volkswagen 11,333


Total     317,788



Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.57%, up from July and still in the range Volkswagen of America was aiming for. This is, by the way, nearly twice their overall market share.

The Kohlers: Serious Updates...

Kohler Keepsakes Blog

this BEAUTY!
We call her Rudy. She's a 2010 Volkswagen Routan and we LOVE her! Actually, my love was more slow growing than Eric's. The man who swore he'd never drive a minivan couldn't leave the dealership without her. He's infatuated. I refused to drive her for about 3 days, terrified that I'd wreck her, but Eric finally left me no choice. The Monday after we got her, Eric took Braden to work with him and Brielle and I ran errands all over town in the van. That's when my love began. We're definitely spoiled. They kids love her too. I think Brielle's favorite part is just that she can see out the windows. She went spastic the first time we drove to Grandma Sharon's and she saw the horses by her house. Who knew? And everyone at the dealership kept telling us we got a killer deal, they've never seen a van go that cheap before, yadda-yadda, but I think that's what they all say to make you feel better about giving them such insane amounts of money.

Volkswagen: CC, Tiguan Boost July Sales

Mario So Funny

Volkswagen of America Inc. sold 23,880 vehicles in July, a 16-percent jump from July sales a year ago.

While sales were favorable for many of the company’s models, the Volkswagen CC had a record month with 3,394 sales, a 140-percent increase over its June 2009 sales. The company sold 8,262 Jettas and more than 10,000 units when combined with its SportWagen model. Golf also had a record-breaking month with 1,889 sales. 

Sales of the company’s compact SUV Tiguan were 1,968, up 80.9 percent Image via Wikipediacompared with June 2009. The Routan experienced a 24.7 percent jump in sales.   
“A continued positive consumer response in July to our full line of vehicles has brought Volkswagen our thirteenth consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth and has provided another solid step in the right direction for our growth strategy,” said Mark Barnes, interim-president of Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We have been saying for some time that Volkswagen’s combination of design, fuel economy, safety and fun driving experience is perfect for the American market and it is clear that consumers are responding.”

Routan YTD July, 2010 Sales

This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America.

Volkswagen is not discontinuing the Routan. We will see how the current management positions the Routan--the van is frequently tied to the departed CEO Stefan Jacoby. However, the Routan's market share is in line with targets set at its introduction. See the article Get It Straight--the Routan Is a Phenomenal Seller on this blog for a discussion why the Routan would not be discontinued because of sales numbers.

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." Jacoby has since left the company to go to Volvo, but the Routan is still doing what they expected it to do.

 

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

Image via Wikipedia

Brand YTD - 07/10

Chrysler     69,020
Dodge       57,678
Honda       62,278
Kia            13,312
Mazda       10,610
Nissan            169 (discontinued)
Toyota       53,482
Volkswagen 9,773
Total        276,322

Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.54%, up from June and still in the range Volkswagen of America was aiming for. This is, by the way, is nearly twice their overall market share.

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES 16 PERCENT INCREASE FOR JULY SALES AND A 13TH CONSECUTIVE MONTH OF GROWTH

German Car Scene
Posted 3rd August, 2010 in Volkswagen | Leave a comment

HERNDON, Va., August 3, 2010″ Volkswagen of America, Inc. today reported July 2010 sales of 23,880 total units, for a 16 percent increase over July 2009, and its thirteenth consecutive month of sales growth. For the year-to-date, Volkswagen’s sales have risen 27.5% versus the same timeframe in 2009. With the exception of last August’s “Cash for Clunkers” sales, July marked the best sales month for Volkswagen of America since December 2005. …
Volkswagen’s line of Tiguan’s, the sporty compact SUV, showed its strongest month ever, with 1,968 units, up 80.9 percent compared with June 2009. Routan also had a strong performance in July with a 24.7 percent increase.
“A continued positive consumer response in July to our full line of vehicles has brought Volkswagen our thirteenth consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth and has provided another solid step in the right direction for our growth strategy,” said Mark Barnes, Interim-President, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We have been saying for some time that Volkswagen’s combination of design, fuel economy, safety and fun driving experience is perfect for the American market and it is clear that consumers are responding.”

Plenty of mileage left on Routan, officials say

Canada.com

By Grace Macaluso, The Windsor Star July 6, 2010

A Volkswagen Routan minivan is shown in this file photo. Photograph by: DAN JANISSE, The Windsor Star

The Volkswagen Routan isn’t headed for the scrapyard despite growing speculation that the German automaker will likely discontinue the vehicle, which is assembled at Chrysler’s Windsor Assembly Plant, a company spokesman said Monday.

“That’s news to me,” said Peter Viney, spokesman for Volkswagen Canada. “We are finalizing the next model year with Chrysler right now. We have a five-year contract with Chrysler so we are going to work within the terms and conditions of that contract so anything with respect to production ending in October is not what we understand.”

In an interview with Dow Jones Newswires, Jill Bratina, spokeswoman for Volkswagen Group of America, said the automaker was gearing up for a overhaul of its U.S. product lineup in an effort to turn around its North American operations and boost its presence there.

But the future of the Routan minivan was uncertain, she added. “No decisions have been made regarding the Routan,” Bratina, said, noting that the minivan segment was “significantly impacted by the economic downturn and has not fully recovered.”

Rick Laporte, president of CAW Local 444, said the plant is producing 40 Routans a day from a peak of 500 a week in 2008, when it was first launched.

“We were producing those numbers to fill their showrooms, to get them out there, but then the big economic crunch took place and it dwindled and dwindled and things only got worse,” LaPorte said.

In the U.S. the Routan makes up about four per cent of sales in the minivan segment, while in Canada it constitutes 1.4 per cent of sales. …

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

Get It Straight--the Routan Is A Phenomenal Seller

"Image by Getty Images via @daylife"

Volkswagen may or may not discontinue the Routan. For that matter, Chrysler (Fiat) may or may not discontinue the Grand Caravan (GC) and Town & Country (T&C). Understand why before you throw the baby out with the bath water.

Fiat might discontinue or sell off the mini-van line because "that is not the business we are in." That doesn't mean that mini-vans are not profitable or selling well. In fact, the GC and T&C are the best selling mini-vans in the United States.

Why might Volkswagen discontinue the Routan? Corporate management is "less than enthusiastic about it," but why? Is it because VW is about to lose its supplier? If Chrysler/Fiat discontinues-limits-consolidates their mini-van, Volkswagen does not have an American supplier for the Routan. VW doesn't have a viable replacement in their stable. As popular as the Sharan may be outside the U.S., it doesn't have power sliding doors, is smaller than the top 4 mini-vans selling in the U.S., and I suspect hasn't started the lengthy U.S. certification process.

But the Routan is a phenomenal seller. As often as the motor press says otherwise doesn't make it so. There are three solid reasons why the Routan can be considered a great seller.

1. At introduction, VWoA head Stephen Jacoby said management was expecting to capture 3-5% of the U.S. mini-van market. The mini-van market has been hit hard by the Great Recession, but the Routan has captured about 4% of that shrunken U.S. market.
2. Volkswagen has less than 2% of the overall U.S. auto market. The Routan exceeds in its class VW's market share by 100%. Something that sells twice as well is not a bad seller.
3. The Routan has the youngest average ownership of all the mini-vans sold in the U.S. Volkswagen is strongest in the younger market--many of their models have the youngest average ownership in their class. The Routan either draws or feeds the primary market segment of VWs stable.

We also have to take into consideration corporate politics. The Routan was introduced on Jacoby's watch. Jacoby is leaving for Volvo. Whoever takes his place, the Routan will not be "their car." That alone could kill it.

YTD to May Routan sales

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.

Automakers' pursuit of youth

MySanAntonio.com

G. Chambers Williams - G. Chambers Williams III

Web Posted: 05/22/2010 12:00 CDT

A new study by the auto website TrueCar.com suggests Volkswagen is doing a good job appealing to youthful consumers. Its GTI compact hatchback had the highest concentration of owners younger than 34, with 23.4 percent. The Routan (above) was the second-highest with 23.3 percent. COURTESY OF VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA

… TrueCar uses the 18-to-34 age bracket in its definition of “young” and says its study showed that 18.3 of Mitsubishi's customers are in that bracket, as are 18 percent of Mazda's and 17.6 percent of Volkswagen's.

…Among specific vehicles identified by TrueCar as having the highest concentration of owners younger than 34 were the Volkswagen GTI compact hatchback and Routan minivan, at 23.4 percent and 23.3 percent, …

“Even though customer loyalty is not what it used to be, capturing young buyers is still critical to the longevity of the automakers,” said Jesse Toprak, TrueCar's vice president for industry trends. “Not only do these younger consumers buy cars for themselves, but they also often influence purchase decisions made by their families and friends.”…

TrueCar says the average age of Mazda buyers overall, 47, is the lowest in the industry. Others that come in younger than 50 are Mitsubishi at 47.2; Volkswagen, Audi and Hummer at 47.5; Mini at 48; BMW at 48.5, Jeep at 48.6; Acura and Nissan at 48.7; Infiniti at 48.9; Porsche at 49.1; Dodge at 49.6; Saab and Honda at 49.7; and Suzuki at 49.9….

Toyota came in at 51, tied with Subaru and just barely beating Mercedes-Benz at 51.1 and both Ford and Chevrolet at 51.9. Hyundai's average buyer age is 52.3, reflecting its popularity among retirement-age buyers who are also quite price-conscious. Kia, the Hyundai subsidiary, came in at an average age of 50.2…

Lexus and Jaguar were in the middle at 53.6 and 53.2, but Chrysler skewed a bit older, at 54.5.

Volvo came in at exactly 50, while the GMC truck brand was at 50.1 and the Smart minicar at 52.3.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III appear Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Express-News Drive section. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@express-news.net.

Average Discounts Expected to Rise for Memorial Day

AutoRemarketing

May 17, 2010

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — With Memorial Day coming in two weeks, analysts from TrueCar.com believe the projected average discount could rival the highest at any point in the year.

According to the site's TrueTrends Report for May that aggregates this data, the average discount off of a new vehicle is projected to be at least 6.9 percent during the next 30 days. Analysts pointed out how the average percentage is near the high for all of 2009, which was 7.5 percent.

They went on to note the 2010 models with the steepest discount off of MSRP, with the top one being the Chevrolet Cobalt at 25 percent. Other new models with substantial discounts include the Jeep Grand Cherokee (18 percent), Hyundai Sonata (18 percent), GMC Sierra 1500 (18 percent) and Toyota Avalon (17 percent).

… TrueCar.com analysts also highlighted which vehicles have the best Price Flex Score, a composite reading of total incentives, greatest percentage below MSRP, greatest price drops and days in inventory.

A pair of 2010 vehicles each was given scores of 100 in this report segment, the Ram 2500 and Hyundai Accent. Trailing right behind with scores of 99 were a pair of Mitsubishi vehicles, the Galant and Lancer, as well as the Volkswagen Routan.

Vehicles that TrueCar.com gave a Price Flex Score of just 1 included the Audi A5 and the Lincoln Navigator. Audi's A4 received a score of 2, while a pair of large SUVs, the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition, each got scores of 3.

Analysts noted that the TrueCar Price Flex Score measures how elastic the transaction price is for a particular model. A high Flex Score means a possibility of a great swing (high or low) in the price from MSRP, while a low Flex Score means the price is far less negotiable and that the transaction price range is much narrower.

Moving on to more discussion, the site also shared the top five vehicles with the greatest price drop since April. Leading this category was the 2010 Lexus 460 4WD with a decline of $987.

The other 2010 units TrueCar.com mentioned with price drops of at least $680 were the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 4MATIC, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Routan and Cadillac CTS. …

Finally, TrueCar.com determined the new vehicles that have been in dealer inventory the longest. Continuing to pace this category was the Hyundai Sonata, now at 157 days. Six other vehicles have been stuck in dealer inventory for at least 100 days. This cluster included the Ford Mustang, F-250, F-350 and Transit Connect, Mitsubishi Galant and BMW 135i.

TrueCar.com wrapped up its projections by noting Memorial Day, May 31, as the best day to buy a vehicle and June 10 as the worst day during the report time span.  
"Memorial Day signals the real beginning of the summer buying season," noted Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry, trends and insights for TrueCar.com.
"Manufacturers and dealers shift their focus to late spring/early summer at the beginning of the year so they can start reaping the benefits as soon as possible," Toprak continued.

"With a continued boost in incentive spending as well as additional sales ‘carrots,' we can expect to see more steady growth in sales," he concluded.

Record Month of April for Volkswagen Canada Sales

living our present blog

Volkswagen Canada announced today that it set a new record for sales in April with a total of 4,394 new vehicle deliveries (2009: 3,496), resulting in a 25.7% increase versus the same time period last year.

As in March, new models again contributed to this sales increase, including the new Golf with a 112% increase, and an 87.5% upswing for the Golf GTI. Other Volkswagen models which enjoyed rising sales during the month were the Jetta Sedan (+62.7%), Tiguan (+36.9%), Routan (+56.1%), Eos (+15.5%), New Beetle (+77.3%), and Touareg (+156%).

The Volkswagen Brand increased its overall share of the total Canadian light vehicle market for the month of April to 2.94% (2009: 2.43%) as industry figures released today showed an increase of 4.0% against the same time period in 2009.

…

YTD to April Routan Sales

This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America.

Volkswagen had the greatest sales increase in April of all the auto companies selling in the U.S. The Routan did not show a percentage gain month-over-month or year-over-year. Nonetheless, Routan market share is holding its own.

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.

Prior to this, Volkswagen was not seen as particularly family-friendly in its current offerings, and iPhone-owning parents didn't think of VW as a supplier of minivans. To put the generations in perspective: current parents download songs instead of buying albums and drive a Honda or Toyota; their parents bought cds, cassettes, and 8-track tapes, rode Honda motorcycles and ran over Toyotas, and were possibly conceived in a VW; the current generation's grandparents are the ones who immortalized (and immoralized) the VW micro-bus, while stealing 45s, and were unfamiliar with Honda and Toyota.

Comments about the Routan remain positive on the blogs, and even the press is giving it kind coverage. (See “Made in Canada: 2010 Routan” in this blog.) Volkswagen and the dealers are offering strong incentives, such as 0% for 60 months, to help overcome the “Chrysler stigma.” If the publicity gets minivan/SUV buyers into a dealer to experience the Routan, and the dealer explains the lowest Total Cost of Ownership, we will see more Routans on the road.

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

Brand YTD - 04/10

Chrysler 37,947

Dodge 31,872

Honda 33,613

Kia 5,971

Mazda 6,812

Nissan 154(discontinued)

Toyota 23,078

Volkswagen 4,700

Total 144,147

Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.26%, still in the range Volkswagen of America was aiming for.

YTD to March Routan Sales

This is not an official release from Volkswagen of America. March Routan sales increased year over year, and it increased it's market share % over 2009. Model awareness is building now that ad agency Deutch is placing Routan ads on TV. The Punch Dub ads not only feature the Routan, but by playing the game the public increases their awareness of the modern Volkswagen.

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 March and YTD sales figures of the auto-makers who sell in the U.S. From these reports, we glean the following data:
Brand YTD - 03/10
Chrysler 24,580
Dodge 21,437
Honda 22,985
Kia 4,397
Mazda 5,217
Nissan 142(discontinued)
Toyota 14,390
Volkswagen 3,226
Total 96,374
Volkswagen's market share of van sales is 3.35%, right where Volkswagen of America was aiming for. Volkswagen has gained market share where they had none.

European Carmakers Offering Attractive Leases For April

PriceWheels Blog

Apr 2nd, 2010 by Ross Edwards

…Volkswagen is offering low interest rates on most of its cars during April, but the standouts are the CC, Passat and Routan, which are all available with 0.9% financing for up to 60 months. …