Posted on 01/05/2006 8:41:55 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
DETROIT (AP) - Volkswagen AG said Thursday it will work with DaimlerChrysler AG on a Volkswagen minivan for the North American market that will start production in 2008 and may be built in Canada.
VW chairman Wolfgang Bernhard told German-language reporters at the Los Angeles Auto Show that Chrysler will build the minivans either at a plant in Windsor, Ont., or at a plant near St. Louis, Mo. The minivan will be based on the next-generation Dodge and Chrysler minivan platform, but VW will design the interior and exterior.
"We're developing a design that will be uniquely Volkswagen's because we believe there's tremendous opportunity in this market for a vehicle of this type," Bernhard said in a statement.
Bernhard predicted sales of around 10,000 minivans annually once the vehicle hits the market, a fairly conservative estimate. VW sold 18,050 Touareg sport utility vehicles, its largest current vehicle, in the United States in 2005.
That was down 35 per cent from the number of Touaregs the company sold in 2004.
The deal allows VW to save production costs on a vehicle for which North American dealers have been clamouring. VW sales were off 12 per cent in 2005 from the year before, according to figures released Wednesday. The company lost more than $1 billion US in North America, where it was hurt by fierce competition and a weak dollar.
"The United States is the litmus test for our competitiveness. We won't run away from that," Bernhard said at the auto show.
The deal also helps Chrysler make better use of its North American plants. Chrysler was using 90 per cent of the capacity of its 13 North American plants in 2004, compared with 100 per cent capacity at rival Toyota Motor Corp., according to the most recent Harbour Report, which measures plant productivity.
"This is a win-win deal for both Chrysler Group and Volkswagen," Chrysler Group CEO Tom LaSorda said in a statement. LaSorda said Chrysler plants are flexible enough to produce minivans tailored for Volkswagen with little or no effect on the Dodge and Chrysler lineup.
Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Bernhard said an official agreement will be signed at the North American International Auto Show, which is scheduled to begin this weekend in Detroit.
DaimlerChrysler's U.S. shares rose four cents to close at $53.55 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange.
But I doubt it.
Hitler's revenge.
Windsor ping!
Volkswagen, Chrysler, minivan.
The perfect storm for a vehicle I would sooner die than drive.
Great... Chrysler engineering and VW style.
Our Honda Odyssey costs over 30K...I'm still impressed with its engineering and well-thought out design.
MiniVans? I'd rather have an ingrown toenail fester and develop gangrene than acquire a mini-van. If one were parked in my driveway, I would call a towing company to remove it, and charge the owner for trespassing.
Roger that. The demographics of the mini-van market will lead you to the nearest fast food obesity clinic.
I wonder if they will come from the factory with a "Kerry/Edwards" bumper sticker, or if you can have one installed by the dealer.
Let me guess; it will have three cylinders, 68 hp, be air-cooled, and run on used patchouli oil.
I love my mini-van. I don't have to climb UP into it, yet, I'm still above the level of other drivers. I can carry seven in relative comfort, yet still carry a couple of weeks of groceries. For long trips, we can take out a couple of seats, have room for four to sit and one to sleep full out on an airmat on the floor. Works great because when we travel South, it's a 28 hour drive and we go straight through without stopping overnight. We make potty stops and pauses to fuel the car and the folks. Whoever isn't driving can get a nap, so we can do the drive with two drivers, though three is better.
In an SUV, you have the two rows of seats and no other large spaces for people. If there are three rows of seats, there's hardly any room behind that third row to even put a few bags of groceries.
It's a guy thing.
When we go fishing, hunting, we us a serious Utility Vehicle in the Western Blue Ridge Mountains in NC.
Aside from that, we are very low key driving normal cars that work. Mostly German bred cars.
As for a mini-van... We know no one that owns one.
BTW, If you want a great ride, with lots of room, look at the X5 BMW.
I'd buy one but I can't afford it. (children's education expense (north of 65k) is eating our income at a geometric rate.
With over 150k it's still going strong. I'm looking forward to over 200k and have no plans to buy a new van. In fact I >might< go shopping for another one from that same generation body style.
I've had justabout everything... sports cars, SUV's, full size vans, family sedans, Jaguars, Mercedes, and even a 68 VW camper bus complete with flower decals... and the Voyager is by far the most enjoyable. Well I DID like the Fiat X 1/9 because it was like driving a go kart on the street...and I always smiled..laughed really when I was behind hte wheel of my LeCar...not because it was enjoyable to drive...it was just so...stupid you had to laugh to keep from crying.
prisoner6
Baloney. I've ridden in countless mini-vans, and we own an SUV. We can seat 8 people comfortably with room to spare, and at the same time haul luggage, groceries, and a full grown Stayhoun to boot.
A mini-van with seven seated while at the same time carrying "a couple weeks of groceries." Yes, if all you're eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are crackers and cheese in a mini-cooler. We've loaded up family and friends in mini-vans, and judging by the space, or lack thereof, in the back storage, you'd better be skilled at stacking a "couple weeks of groceries." And if you want to bring along the family dog, it better be a Chihuahua.
We can fold down and/or remove seats as well. Volkswagen's, Volvo's, Subaru's. Car's that appeal to the yuppie/hippie type. This is not to suggest that everyone who own's any of these models are only yuppies or hippies.
Looks good for the Techumseh Road/Walker Road plant. But a mini-van is just too emasculating for male drivers. I think my wife wants one and she wants it painted pink. If she gets one, she'll have to park it in a different driveway!
so we only transport two 25+ year old children>>>>>>>>
Something is wrong with a world in which people speak of 25 + year old CHILDREN. I do understand though, I have a 30 year old stepson who is still a child.
Admittedly it isn't quite the same in my mini van but it's dang close.
Driving a mini van is kinda like riding a Harley. It's not a crotch rocket...it's fer cruising. Settle back and relax.
prisoner6
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