VW/Chrysler minivan venture a done deal
It’s widely been confirmed that German automaker VW will be producing its own minivan off other German
automaker DaimlerChrysler's (it’s still weird to say that) platform.Reports were leaked early yesterday that must have forced VW front man Wolfgang Bernhard and Chrysler boss Tom LaSorda at the L.A. auto show to confirm the rampant speculation that these two giants were hooking up. Bernhard told reporters that he estimates first year sales for VW’s minivan at a modest 10,000. They will probably be built alongside Chrysler and Dodge minvans at Chrysler’s plant in Windsor, Ont. where the company recently announced plans to invest $575 million CAD.
[Via GermanCarBlog and CBC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jeff 7:01PM (6/01/2007)
You're gay!!! VW is not a failing car company!!!
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mj10990 12:02PM (1/06/2006)
Brilliant, take a failing car co (VW) and rebadge a mediocre product (Caravan) in a shrinking market (minivans) to bring VW to its knees in the US. At least VW doesn't have to prepare the inevitable recall and warrantee service issues. They are already used to owners having their vehicles towed back to the dealership on a regular basis....
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ramsport47 12:36PM (1/06/2006)
Obviously #1 hasn't been watching the reliability of the DCX minivans...it's impecable. Why would it still sell over 40% of all minivans if it wasn't reliable? The bashing just because it's Chrysler needs to stop and start doing some research to back up your claims
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ebm14 4:56PM (1/06/2006)
Why does VW need to spend more money when they can simply export the Touran to the US. People who reasearch cars know the truth about what is what and VW's new minivan aint a real VW
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Kevin Buchanan 5:20PM (1/06/2006)
I hardly think VW overall is a "failing" car company. Its US division hasn't been doing so hot, but it is improving.
As for reliability, Chrysler has been doing better, and I figure since this proposed Chryslewagen will be based on the next-gen Caravan, it'll probably do well, reliability-wise (I will say, though, that I've currently got three modern-day VWs, and have had two more than that previously, and they have all had impeccable reliability - four Mark IVs, and a B5.5 Passat).
Having said all that, I'd probably not be interested much in this vehicle. I'd much rather have one of VW's European vans such as the T5 Multivan. I think VWoA and their Moonraker team need to be very, very careful about finding out how to make more "America-friendly" VWs - most of us love our VWs because they're affordable *German* cars, and if you Americanize them too much you'll turn off a lot of people.
My favorite VW I've ever owned is still my '73 Karmann Ghia I've had for the last five years - why can't I have a modern version of that to go alongside? :)
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Source1 7:39PM (1/06/2006)
A recent Canadian Driver long-term report from Passat owners revealed their vehicles were smooth to drive, refined, etc, butplagued with electrical problems(surprise), 7 recalls, engine troubls(1.8t) and bad tie rod ends.
I borrowed a friends van recently (Town&Country). It had 55,000 on it and was nice. Very refined, smooth but there was a clunk in the steering. I told him to take it in. He did and got rammed with an 800$ bill for a steering issue. A few weeks later he had a tranny prob. Unbelievable. I have owned a Honda Pilot for 66k and nothing. I owned a Maxima for 110,000 nothing. I owned my last Sonata for 180,00 and i did a tranny at 110k(old mitsu supplied trannies died at that point) but other than that all great cars.
After reading http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/cc/98-05passat.htm this article I understand VW choosing the Chrysler product. For Daimler they get rid of more vans. For Volkswagen tho they get a so-so vehicle. I mean if you are their CEO don't you go after the best van possible? I would've gone after the new Sedona from Kia built by Hyundai and loaded and high quality. I just can't fathom these companies and their approach to vehicle quality and reliability. They have billions to access or borrow and they continue to offer mediocre products with no improvement in sight
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icerabbit 9:43PM (1/06/2006)
" I would've gone after the new Sedona from Kia built by Hyundai ... "
Now that would be a major disaster.
No matter how good Kia or Hyundai may be doing, it's not VW material. Kia is one of the fastest devaluating cars on the market. Compare that to VW which retains its value pretty well (or nearly as good as can be). VW has in the past shared a minivan with Ford & Seat (sister company) but Kia / Hyundai? I don't think so.
I own a T&C. While a Caravan / T &C is hardly perfect (ours has had a few issues, I know of one problem that plagues pretty much every 3.8l old & new) and isn't doing very well for KBB (too many on the market, preference for SUVs etc) this type of vehicle is no KIA / HYUNDAI.
So if VW wants a minivan in the US and decides not to bring the new EuroVan or MultiVan or Sharan ... their best option is the most popular one: Carvan / T&C.
Will it sell? Will it be profitable? Reliable? ... That I can't answer. I don't think I'd buy a rebadged Caravan with VW emblem.
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Joey (Kev) 7:50AM (1/07/2006)
Who are these guys comparing Kias to VWs? They are not comparable in any way other then that they have wheels. They are not aimed at the same market. Kia might be fine and all, but come on, they have way to go.
This deal works for both sides, it will get Chrysler closer to its production potential, it gives VW a decent product and existing suplly chain in NA and it is only one side of the deal. I guess VW will do the same job for Chrysler on the other side of the Atlantic. And Chrysler has big potential there, being the only big American company that doesn't sell much over here.
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wbs 12:06PM (1/09/2006)
If they aren't going to bring in the T5, why bother. With the Chrysler product we get yet another mediocere van. My 94 T4 has 220,000 miles, I guess I will need to keep it running for quite a few more years before somehting comperable comes onto the US market.
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kenjet 10:37PM (1/10/2006)
say what you want about vw later year troubles, but any vw driver will tell you that their ride has a soul about it///// i don't want a chrysler with vw stickers on it paaaaleeeese !!!!
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Source1 3:24PM (1/11/2006)
I dare say you have not even looked at a newly built Kia or understand that the quality of the Hyundai/Kia conglomerate makes the VW conglomerade look look pitiful. Ignorance is bliss. Drive a new Hyundai or Kia and you'll understand that you really don't know what one is. That is why JDPower rates Hyundai #2 1 point behind Toyota and tied with Honda for initial quality. Dare to guess where VW and Chrysler is...that's right...way down at the the bottom and below industry average. Do some research before you spout your auto-ignorance.
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