2009 Dodge, oh no, Volkswagen Routan

[coolmazda5]

Why not the Sharan instead? Too small?

When I thought I've seen it all. A Dodge Caravan converted into a Volkswagen minivan. So not to repost, check this out:

You see, unlike the Microbus concept that promised a uniquely Volkswagen design and execution, the Routan is merely a rebadged Dodge Caravan. That's right, Volkswagen was so anxious to jam a minivan into its U.S. lineup that it decided not to wait and build one on its own. Instead, a high-ranking Volkswagen executive who was formally a high-ranking Chrysler executive made a deal to make Routans out of Caravans. Incidentally, he's no longer a high-ranking Volkswagen executive.

Source: Edmunds

http://www.mazdav.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3654482&postcount=15

 

[Donas64]

...........

 

[antlind]

I wonder what their projected sales numbers will be?
Honestly, you'd have to be a faithful VW'er to buy one of these.
Also it's kinda strange that VW would want to join the minivan market now, seeing that others are getting out of it.....must be German logic at work here.

 

[5phreak]

i'd hit it

 

[coolmazda5]

Also it's kinda strange that VW would want to join the minivan market now, seeing that others are getting out of it.....must be German logic at work here.

Exactly, I posted that earlier in the other thread, but I'm not sure about the German logic behind it. German brands are stepping away from weird joint ventures with companies in NA IMO.

I think that once we counted somewhere here the number of car makers selling minivans, and it was limited and going down. Oh well, time will tell. If I needed more space I would be taking a look of this VW influenced car, the Caravan enhancements are decent enough for a minivan already, no doubt (just forget the looks and the Caravan stigma, which this one may be addressing)...

 

[jandree22]

i'd hit it

2 times! (2thumbs)

EDIT: Whoa nelly! I was at work and didn't initially read the post (just looked at pics). Now that I know it's a re-badged Dodge? bleck, big mistake. I already wouldn't buy a VW because their Mexican built crap reliability has tarnished their reputation... this isn't a step in the right direction.

 

[fam]

I mean...it ....looks better than the dodge\chrysler....so..that may be enough for some people who dont want to be seen in a dodge\chrysler...i wouldnt want to be seen in a T&C or caravan.

 

[dreamym5]

Quote From edmunds.com(insideline)

What's Edmunds' take?
Volkswagen is about to find out the hard way why badge engineering is not a good idea. Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line

 

[coolmazda5]

What's Edmunds' take?
Volkswagen is about to find out the hard way why badge engineering is not a good idea. — Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line

Well, who knows. My 2 pesos:

• Possibly the car will be more reliable than a VW
• It has all the virtues of the Caravan (I rented one and it has tons of things I would not mind in a compact people mover like the Mazda5)
• It does not look like a Caravan (ok, ok, kind of)
• Interior should look more decent
• It will be a huge VW sucker

Also, I know some late rebadging stories that are not that crazy:
- Holden Commodore to Pontiac G8
- Opel Astra to Saturn Astra
- Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe

I think the problem is the target market. It is not let's say, hot.

Again 2 pesos, throw the rotten tomatoes and eggs now

 

[antlind]

Also, I know some late rebadging stories that are not that crazy:
- Holden Commodore to Pontiac G8
- Opel Astra to Saturn Astra
- Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe

I think the problem is the target market. It is not let's say, hot.

You're probably right about the van target market being somewhat cool these days.....
As for rebadging that didn't go anywhere.....Do you guys remember the early Chevy Cavalier rebadged as a Cadillac Cimarron......That was one rebadge effort that (blowup)...

 

[mrbwa1]

Is it just me, or have others seen the outside shots and though the Routan and though it had a bit of a Mazda MPV vibe to it? Maybe it was just a few of the shots I saw... *shrug*

 

[diogenes]

I've read that the real reason VW didn't bring back a "real" microbus (it had developed a good-looking concept car) is that it blew so much money on the VW Phaeton and other high-end development. A rebadged Chrysler is all it could afford.

 

[coolmazda5]

I already wouldn't buy a VW because their Mexican built crap reliability has tarnished their reputation... this isn't a step in the right direction.

I'm not sure if that is the cause. I think it is just bad quality from the design upwards (i.e. crappy scoped materials or poor global market vision like extreme heat and cold, just see the crunching suspension and frozen locks recalls on the Mazda5). I won't start a NAFTA war, I've been so out of touch for sometime already, but:

I'm originally from Mexico, and yes there are some crappy built things from there, no doubt, but wrt. VW cars made there:

• One of my first student cars was a VW Caribe (the boxy Rabbit here). That thing was the most reliable box with engine around, only one thing would stop it: rain. Mostly because water would get to the distributor so easily (yeah, no fuel injection nor high tech on that student thing yet)
• Mom drove a 1991 VW Golf after all the other cars she drove were f*d up in car mishaps. Ugly as hell, but never got stuck anywhere
• VW proudly imported the 1st Passat to Mexico (3rd generation) around 89 or so. That thing came with so many defects. Parts needed to be imported, so guess the outcome. Top issue on the list: overheating
• My brother bought a Chevy Vectra (highest trim available, see pics, spent a load of money on that thing), proudly made in Germany (called Opel Vectra there). That car only lasted like 6 months on his hands. He just gave up and sold it. The car spent in the garage possibly 1 month out of the 6. Now he drives a 3rd gen 2004 Ford Mondeo (made in Belgium?). That thing is sweet and has not given him any trouble (not sold here, see pic)
• Just to close, my brother is an automotive engineer and where he works they build (and sometimes design) parts for VW, Chevy trucks and even Honda cars from time to time. VW is one of the companies that have the toughest quality control tests. Quality control comes from HQ in Germany, not Mexico. And for the Chevy trucks, those things are very reliable and many parts come from there. Quality Control rules come from Michigan (or Indiana?)

My 2 pesos (oh, and the Routan will be built in Canada)

 

[jandree22]

Wow, looks like my assumption oversimplified the hell outa that one! Interesting analysis, though, thanks. And cool to hear you're from Mexico, naturally I would've NEVER guessed that!

FWIW, congrats... I see you're only 3 posts away from being a 4-digit post ***** (cabpatch)

 

[slvrsleeper]

When I read the first few posts I was thinking "Any second now he's going to give in and tell us it was a hoax" What the world really needs is a Dodge Caravan with a VW nose and a 40,000$ sticker. They must have got their hands on some good crack to come up with that master-stroke. Unfortunately I am certain that image conscious nit-wits will pay for and drive the damn things. The folks at Cerberus must have crapped a Christmas turkey when the proposal came in.

 

[Foolish]

At first glance, I thought this Volksrysler was just the T&C with a different grill, but you can see that they really did change the interior and the exterior quite a bit if you look at pictures of the Routan, T&C and Caravan side by side. Of the three, I think the VW has the best exterior lines front and (especially) rear, as well as the best dash layout. I'm impressed to see that they changed the sheet metal noticably in the rear from the Dodge/Chrysler to the Volksrysler. The C-pillar and hatch are much rounder and smoother looking on the Touran.

I wonder what the warranty is going to be on the VW. A few years ago, VW had about the worst warranty in the business: 2 years, 24,000 miles.
I'm also curious how this is going to compare to the Chrysler/Dodge in price.

Might be worth checking out, especially if the "Euro-tuned suspension" means it doesn't wallow as much as other mini-vans.

 

[coolmazda5]

(lol), "4-digit post *****", you are right, THAT is a useless piece of pride. I gotta get a life I guess (shady). I'll also make a screenshot of my 999 post now that you mention it

No worries, I guess I don't fit the Enchilada stereotype anyway. I drive 2 weirdo Japanese cars, I'm married to a German and our little one is the Gringo guy (proudly born in PA). From there, my only sensible conclusions are: "WTF?" and "No wonder they worship the manual tranny, including the wife"

And yes, when I moved here to do my school I was shocked to hear about the VW cars' reliability, especially after my own experience, so my comment is not just Mexico built centered, but that it can be anywhere if they are stupid to design.

Now that you mention it I do have some stories like when we once had a Dodge Dart K and somebody got the idea of making an MT version to match market reqs. The Mexican invention resulted into a hazard as the struts between the manual gearbox and the shifter could snap off at their movable joint during a brusque shift, and they actually did like 5 times. That was scary, especially at 80-90Km/hr, down-shifting from 5th to 4th when trying to pass a truck or so. Would have an auto, no issues at all, they are still some running around, but may not have sold as many as they did.

Dang, off-topic...

 

[coolmazda5]

Under $25K as the initial price, pretty much all T&C/Caravan amenities, except the Stow 'n Go (which I think is a pretty clever thing)


If there's any reason to consider the Routan over its domestic cousins, it's the interior. It actually looks like a real Volkswagen inside with slick-looking gauges, well-coordinated trim and high-quality switchgear. The Routan has many of the same features as its Chrysler counterparts, too. There are power-sliding side doors, a power rear liftgate, 13 cupholders, a dual-screen entertainment system and a touchscreen navigation system with a 20MB hard drive. There are standard captain's chairs in back, while the Stow 'n Go seats offered in the Chrysler van appear absent from the Routan's options list.

Volkswagen says it will begin sales of the Routan later this year with a starting price under $25,000.

There are more pics now. Source: left lane news:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-routan.html

 

[mrbwa1]

Perhaps a more suitable name should have been chosen. I would offer:

MacroBus (These things aren't really mini anymore)
WV AmeriVan - The Eurovan tanked, so why not? It has a Patriotic Ring to it

Perhaps the NAFTAVan would be more suitable seeing how it's a German nameplate on an American vehicle made in Canada.


Also, any change of a GTI or R32 version? Perhaps with a Hemi?

 

[coolmazda5]

Also, any change of a GTI or R32 version? Perhaps with a Hemi?

(lol2) that would make it a Routan SRT8 or a Routan R/T

The article mentions that VW called it Routan to match/rhyme with their people mover car names Touran (a close competitor of the Mazda5 in Europe) and Sharan. Oh well, wife looked at it and said that for $25K is not bad if eventually we have a need for a bigger car, AKA mini-van (boom01). Not happy to hear there will be no Manual Tranny though (still makes me grin every time she asks).