Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: VW banking on Oprah giveaway to raise awareness of slow-selling Routan minivans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/report-vw-banking-on-oprah-giveaway-to-raise-awareness-of-slow/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/report-vw-banking-on-oprah-giveaway-to-raise-awareness-of-slow/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/report-vw-banking-on-oprah-giveaway-to-raise-awareness-of-slow/#commentsFiled under:



If you close your eyes and think about the Volkswagen product lineup, products like the Golf, Jetta, and Passat are sure to come to mind. Most won't picture the Routan minivan, because most Americans don't even know the rebadged Dodge Grand Caravan exists. Sales of the Routan are so bad that the minivan hasn't been made since January, and production isn't picking up again until August.

Volkswagen is hoping to change the fortunes of its invisible minivan by giving away two Routans on the Oprah Winfrey Show. The move could prove to be a boon for VW, particularly after Oprah's 2004 stunt where the media madam gave away 276 Pontiac G6 models. Two weeks after the show, public awareness of the new sedan shot up to 87% and Pontiac was off the charts in Google and Yahoo searches, too.

Since Oprah is giving away two Routans instead of one to each member of her audience, we're guessing this giveaway won't have the same punch as the G6 scheme. The association with Oprah probably won't hurt, though, and any discernible bump in showroom traffic would make the Routan giveaway a success. With only 2,099 sales in June and 1,390 in May, the Routan could use all the help it can get.

[Source: Wards Automotive]

REPORT: VW banking on Oprah giveaway to raise awareness of slow-selling Routan minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 VW Routan2009VwRoutangiveawayoprah winfreyOprahWinfreyvw routanVwRoutanMon, 13 Jul 2009 08:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen Routan recalled for... <i>*magic 8-ball shake*</i>... owner's manual omission?!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/volkswagen-routan-recalled-for-i-magic-8-ball-shake-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/volkswagen-routan-recalled-for-i-magic-8-ball-shake-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/volkswagen-routan-recalled-for-i-magic-8-ball-shake-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



In Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, one of the characters decries the need for a set of detailed instructions on a packet of toothpicks. Volkswagen might feel the same way now that 18,500 of its 2009 Routan minivans are being recalled because their owner's manuals don't include a required warning not to put items on or near the airbag. In the words of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
The owner's manual was printed without the required information explaining that no objects should be placed over the or near the airbag on the instrument panel. Any such objects could cause injury to the vehicle's occupants in the event of a crash severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.
VW is sending dealers an insert to be placed in affected Routan manuals. If you don't trust yourself to handle the insert, you can take your Routan to the dealer and they'll be happy to assist.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Volkswagen Routan recalled for... *magic 8-ball shake*... owner's manual omission?!

Volkswagen Routan recalled for... *magic 8-ball shake*... owner's manual omission?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 routan2009 volkswagen routan2009Routan2009VolkswagenRoutanminivannhtsarecallroutansafetyvolkswagenvwvw routanVwRoutanTue, 07 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodbye, Routan? VW minivan reportedly not long for this world]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/goodbye-routan-we-hardly-knew-ye-vw-minivan-reportedly-not-lo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/goodbye-routan-we-hardly-knew-ye-vw-minivan-reportedly-not-lo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/goodbye-routan-we-hardly-knew-ye-vw-minivan-reportedly-not-lo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Volkswagen Routan - Click above for high-res gallery

That the Volkswagen Routan has been a dismal failure is probably one of the worst kept secrets in the industry, but until now, few have taken stock of just how poorly the badge-engineered minivan was selling.

The idea was fairly straightforward, if a tad ill-conceived: take a Dodge Caravan, slap on a fresh face and a VW badge and give it an unpronounceable name. The minivan is built alongside its Chrysler and Dodge counterparts at Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario, plant... or at least it was until Wolfsburg asked Auburn Hills to stop production. Apparently, not a single Routan has rolled off the assembly line since last December, and there are no immediate plans to resume production.

Nor should they, necessarily: Of the 22,037 Routans produced between its introduction in September and the cessation of production just a few months later, only 5,582 (less than a quarter of those made) have actually been sold. With that much back-stock, Volkswagen Group of America has been offering some attractive incentives, and dealers are likely super-motivated to sell, but the Routan's retail price is still a couple grand higher than a Dodge Caravan's, part of which goes towards recouping Brooke Shields' paycheck for that ridiculous advertising campaign. And with no sign of the remaining Routans' value going anywhere but down, there's little motivation for VW (to ask Chrysler) to resume production, much less green-light its replacement.

If there's a bright spot here, it's that the Routan actually isn't a bad minivan, particularly now that good deals are available. It's been said that it is the best-driving Chrysler minivan (with the best interior of the bunch), and that's probably true - even if the name, marketing and idea that this is a proper VW has never managed to resonate with consumers.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Routan


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Goodbye, Routan? VW minivan reportedly not long for this world originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler town and countrychrysler town countryChryslerTownAndCountryChryslerTownCountrydodge caravandodge grand caravanDodgeCaravanDodgeGrandCaravanroutanvolkswagenvolkswagen caravanvolkswagen minivanvolkswagen mpvvolkswagen routanVolkswagenCaravanVolkswagenMinivanVolkswagenMpvVolkswagenRoutanvwvw caravanvw minivanvw mpvvw routanVwCaravanVwMinivanVwMpvVwRoutanwindsorMon, 20 Apr 2009 11:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Routan Bust? VW asks Chrysler to stop building minivans for February]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/routan-bust-vw-asks-chrysler-to-stop-building-minivans-for-febr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/routan-bust-vw-asks-chrysler-to-stop-building-minivans-for-febr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/routan-bust-vw-asks-chrysler-to-stop-building-minivans-for-febr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Evidently, early consumer feedback suggests that Fahrvergnügen is not spelled "R-o-u-t-a-n." Volkswagen has reportedly asked Chrysler Canada to temporarily halt production for the month of February on its new ported-over minivan.

Initial Routan sales have been slow, with the Windsor Star reporting that around 29,000 units have been shipped to dealers, but only a few thousand have actually been sold. The production stoppage should help stem the supply overage somewhat, but all signs point to the Routan having a rough road ahead - and not just because of the increasingly dire economic climate. VW's Brooke Shields "Routan Boom" ad campaign appears to have drawn more quizzical looks and outright scorn than potential buyers, and critics are questioning how well the vehicle lines up with VW's brand image.

If nothing else, the Routan clearly has the finest interior of any model in the Chrysler minivan family and a quick spin by this author suggests that it's the best driving, too. Still, those positive aspects don't appear to be enough to guarantee homes for the 300 or so Routans leaving the plant each day.

[Windsor Star via Kicking Tires]

Routan Bust? VW asks Chrysler to stop building minivans for February originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brook ShieldsBrooke ShieldsBrookeShieldsBrookShieldsVW RoutanVwRoutanWindsorFri, 30 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Nein, danke: VW not interested in buying Chrysler minivan business]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/18/nein-danke-vw-not-interested-in-buying-chrysler-minivan-busine/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/18/nein-danke-vw-not-interested-in-buying-chrysler-minivan-busine/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/18/nein-danke-vw-not-interested-in-buying-chrysler-minivan-busine/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view high-resolution images from our first drive of the Volkswagen Routan

With Chrysler's fortunes swirling around the drain, it's widely expected that the only way it will survive is as individual parts swallowed by other automakers. But while the costly Viper operation may find a new home, the most likely buyer for its minivan operation, the product that put the company back on the map over two decades ago, isn't interested.

Chrysler has been rebadging its Town & Country minivans as Routans for Volkswagen in a deal struck by Wolfgang Bernhard, a former top exec at both automakers. But while Chrysler sold 232,000 of its Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans last year, Volkswagen sold a paltry 3387 Routans, which may go a long way towards explaining why Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, says they're not interested. The weak sales come despite a costly ad campaign featuring Brooke Shields: If they spent $1 million on the commercials - including Brooke's big fat paycheck (the only time "fat" and "Brooke Shields" ever belong in the same sentence) - that means the advertising cost $294 per Routan sold. Which is more than what we'd pay for a badge-engineered minivan being passed off as German engineering.

Still, for your viewing enjoyment, we've included a video of Brooke's Routan mocumentary/commercial after the jump, because we'll take any excuse to watch Brooke Shields talk about making babies. Just be prepared to yell "but it's not German engineering!" at your computer screen repeatedly.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Routan


[Source: Business Week]

Continue reading Nein, danke: VW not interested in buying Chrysler minivan business

Nein, danke: VW not interested in buying Chrysler minivan business originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Routan

The new Volkswagen Routan minivan hasn't even gone on sale yet and there is already an incentive on its hood. This one, however, is not your typical cash back deal. Instead, Volkswagen is working under the assumption that the people likely to actually purchase a Routan are those with kids to haul. As such, VW of America is teaming up with Upromise to provide buyers with $1,500 towards a higher education savings plan. Upromise is a company that works with retailers to provide cash back bonuses when one of their registered credit card is used for purchases. Those rebates can then be transferred to a 529 education savings plan. To be eligible for the college bonus, you have to pre-order the Chrysler-built Routan by the end of August and take delivery by the end of November.

Gallery: Volkswagen Routan


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading More creative incentives: Buy a VW Routan and get $1,500 for college

More creative incentives: Buy a VW Routan and get $1,500 for college originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 May 2008 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>upromisevolkswagenvolkswagen routanvolkswagen sciroccoVolkswagenRoutanVolkswagenSciroccovolkwagenvw routanvw-routanVwRoutanThu, 08 May 2008 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago 2008: Volkswagen unveils the newish Routan minivan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-volkswagen-unveils-the-newish-routan-minivan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-volkswagen-unveils-the-newish-routan-minivan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-volkswagen-unveils-the-newish-routan-minivan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above to view more high-res pics of the VW Routan

Fumbling out of the "why bother" category here at the Chicago Auto Show is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, which is their new minivan based on the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan platform. Oddly, Volkswagen opened up its presentation by showing pics and videos of its classic vehicles, such as the old Beetle and the old-style rear-engined vans. What's odd is that those classics share absolutely no heritage with the new Chrysler minivan-based Routan. Why conjure up favorable memories of the old VW van before letting us down with this new one?

Moving on to better things, the new van does have a pretty attractive face, more attractive than the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, at least. Standard features are many, including traction and stability controls, a 6-speed automatic transmission and Chrysler's 3.8L V6, though a 4.0L V6 producing 251 hp is also available. The interior is nicer in the Routan than in its Chrysler counterparts, though that's not necessarily saying much. We'll reserve final judgment until we get a chance to live with it, though.

Volkswagen believes that it has struck a better ride and handling compromise on the Routan than Chrysler was able to achieve with either of its vans, which is a bit like biting the hands that feeds you. Nothing on the Routan is all that bad, so we think that any potential minivan customer will consider it. What it will cost is unknown, but VW said the Routan will start around $25,000. We still question whether this is the best that Volkswagen could do with such a great history of vans to draw upon. As we see it, all this vehicle does is give VW dealers a vehicle to sell to large families.

Gallery: Volkswagen Routan

Continue reading Chicago 2008: Volkswagen unveils the newish Routan minivan

Chicago 2008: Volkswagen unveils the newish Routan minivan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chicagochicago 2008chicago auto showchicago-2008chicago-auto-showChicago2008ChicagoAutoShowroutanvolkswagenvolkswagen routanvolkswagen-routanVolkswagenRoutanvwvw routanvw-routanVwRoutanWed, 06 Feb 2008 14:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago 2008 preview: Volkswagen Routan leaks out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/chicago-2008-preview-volkswagen-routan-leaks-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/chicago-2008-preview-volkswagen-routan-leaks-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/chicago-2008-preview-volkswagen-routan-leaks-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Routan.

Well, thanks to the German pub Autobild you can now see the collaborative efforts of Chrysler and Volkswagen in the form of the VW Routan. Unfortunately, the V-Dub van hardly harkens back to the time of the mini-bus, as everything between the A- and D-pillar is a dead ringer for the Chrysler/Dodge on which it's built. The new front fascia is attractive enough, with swooping headlamps, well-proportioned air dams and a chrome grille fitted with the VW logo, while the rear benefits from a similar tail lamp design as seen on the Touareg and Golf.

Power comes courtesy of a 3.6-liter V6, with 197 hp and 230 lb.-ft. of torque routed through a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can upgrade what's under the hood with a 4.0-liter V6 producing 251 hp and 259 lb.-ft. of torque. Traction control and ESP will be standard, along with dual power sliding doors, power windows and thirteen (13!) cupholders. Some of the options include a touch screen nav with a 20 gig hard-drive, power lift gate and a rear seat entertainment system with two, nine-inch screens.

Volkswagen plans to price the base Routan below the $25,000 mark and sales are expected to begin later this year.

Volkswagen's press release is available in full after the jump.

Gallery: Volkswagen Routan

Continue reading Chicago 2008 preview: Volkswagen Routan leaks out

Chicago 2008 preview: Volkswagen Routan leaks out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchicagochicago auto showChicagoAutoShowroutanvolkswagenvolkswagen routanVolkswagenRoutanvwvw routanVwRoutanTue, 05 Feb 2008 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen's Chrysler-based minivan to be called Routan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/volkswagens-chrysler-based-minivan-to-be-called-routan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/volkswagens-chrysler-based-minivan-to-be-called-routan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/volkswagens-chrysler-based-minivan-to-be-called-routan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen has announced that it will unveils its version of the Chrysler LLC minivan at the Chicago Auto Show in early February, and that its name will be Routan. As with most of the names that VW chooses for its vehicles, we had to look up the meaning of the word. We didn't find anything because VW made up the word "Routan" by combining the words "route" and "an". The German automaker adds an "an" at the end of all its vans in Europe.

The Routan is good news for Chrysler, which will use up some excess production capacity at its Windsor, Ontario plant by building VW's minivan alongside the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country. We're very eager to see the VW aesthetic applied to the exterior of the Chrysler minivans, which, despite incorporating a number of innovative features not offered by their competition, is often panned for its bread-box styling.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Volkswagen's Chrysler-based minivan to be called Routan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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