Volkswagen has not decided whether to offer a minivan after its contract with the Chrysler Group expires in about two years, said Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America.

The VW Routan, which is built at Chrysler’s plant in Windsor, Ontario, shares a platform and mechanicals with the Chrysler Town & Country.

VW sold 15,961 Routans in the United States last year, up almost 9 percent in an overall market that grew 11 percent from 2009.

Browning also said VW has no plans to enter NASCAR competition as a way to market the redesigned, U.S.-built 2012 Passat sedan, despite reports on some Web sites: “It’s not something we are looking at.”

VW expects to build 150,000 Passats annually in the United States once full production is reached in Chattanooga, Tenn. U.S. sales begin in late August or early September.

On other topics, Browning said:

– U.S.-built Passats will be sold in Canada, Mexico, Korea and possibly the Middle East.

– VW will drop “New” from the New Beetle’s name when the redesigned car goes on sale late this year. The car will be called the Volkswagen Beetle.

– Suppliers are still struggling to meet production demand. In VW of America’s case, Browning said the VW Touareg SUV is affected: “We probably will see it tight through the balance of this year.”

- Auto News

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We ask, where is the TDI Routan? Wouldn’t this make it even better if you could save a ton of cash while driving long distances? The Routan S gets a 16/23mpg split while the Routan SEL gets a 17/25mpg. Now, this is on par with the other mini-vans out there but we all know moms put a lot of miles on their van, daily.

This Labor Day, as millions of Americans take to the streets and highways, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is teaming up with travel expert and author Emily Kaufman (aka The Travel Mom) to share high- and low-tech ways to keep the family busy and bonding on their journeys.

According to AAA, some 34 million Americans traveled 50 miles or greater from their home during Labor Day weekend last year, and 28 million of them traveled by automobile. With similar numbers of car travelers expected for this year, making the ride a safe and enjoyable experience is an important way to get your trip off to a great start. Kaufman provides solutions to keeping the family happy and safe.

Avoid high-tech disconnect

“Some of today’s modern cars, like the Volkswagen Routan, offer fantastic high-tech features,” said Kaufman. “Instead of having everyone plug in and tune out, however, simply use this advanced technology to bond. For example, instead of putting on the ear phones and tuning out, use technology like the Routan’s built-in DVD player or Wi-Fi to research and learn about your trip destination as a family.”

Embrace low-tech time

Kaufman suggests that families take advantage of their time in the car together to reconnect and bond. “Playing simple memory games or even singing along gives everyone a chance to let loose and laugh a little. The Volkswagen Routan offers USB ports so you can download and play your favorite car tunes.” She also says it’s easy to modernize some of these old fashioned favorites and prevent potential eye-rolling by just being creative with the name of the activity; for example, instead of calling it a “sing-a-along,” Kaufman suggests calling it “car karaoke.”

Plan ahead to avoid splurging on the road

The two major ways that many families waste money on road trips, according to Kaufman, are on food/drinks and on gas. Kaufman says that with a little advance planning, families can save both time and money. “By making sure your tires are pumped up, you can avoid potential unnecessary stops along the way and increase your gas mileage,” recommends Kaufman. Kaufman recommends reliable vehicles with great performance like the Volkswagen Routan, which features Carefree Maintenance to help travelers drive more and worry less about their car’s performance. All current Volkswagen vehicles offer Carefree Maintenance.

Kaufman also recommends packing a cooler of healthy sandwiches, snacks and drinks to help avoid what she calls “exit foods” at pricey rest stops and gas stations. “Instead, prep healthy meals and snacks ahead of time, like sandwiches and sliced fruits and vegetables, and avoid sugary drinks that can often result in sugar highs and lows – not to mention cranky parents and kids!” she said.

Kaufman also recommends throwing in a cookie sheet to serve as a table for eating or drawing, and creating a “boredom bag” filled with a few toys, games and crafts that can be used as prizes for car games or to reward good behavior.

For more information on the German-engineered Routan, or other VW vehicles visit www.vw.com.

- Volkswagen of America

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Routan Customers Now Able to Take Internet Access on the Road With Wi-Fi from Autonet Mobile

Uconnect web to provide in-vehicle internet entertainment to Volkswagen’s minivan

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced a collaboration with Autonet Mobile, that will make it possible to equip their European-tuned minivan, Routan, with uconnect web, an in-vehicle internet service. Beginning this month, approximately 600 Volkswagen dealerships in the United States will offer Routan owners the opportunity to add uconnect web, powered by Autonet Mobile, to their vehicle. This partnership will deliver the first internet entertainment system for Volkswagen vehicles.

Routan customers will now be able to take the internet with them on the road. With Autonet Mobile, the seven passenger Routan becomes a Wi-Fi hotspot, delivering reliable and easy-to-use internet access. Passengers can bring all of their own Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, gaming systems, digital music players, and other devices on the road. Routan passengers will be able to Instant Message (IM), visit popular social media sites, check traffic or make dinner reservations all from the comfort of their Routan.

‘Volkswagen is committed to delivering vehicles that epitomize and enhance our digital customers’ lifestyle, and the Routan is a modern family vehicle,’ said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. ‘Internet access is a clear benefit to our customers. We’re excited to work with Autonet Mobile to bring uconnect web to our Routan customers.’
The addition of uconnect web brings advanced communications features to Volkswagen’s newest family vehicle. Now Routan customers will have instant internet access anytime and anywhere. Monthly subscription plans start at $29 and uconnect web is installed by the dealer.

‘The Routan customer is looking for entertainment options beyond the traditional DVD player,’ said Sterling Pratz, CEO of Autonet Mobile. ‘Consumers want to extend their living room lifestyle to the vehicle and want the ability to use internet-driven applications – gaming, email, IM, internet radio, and other entertainment and information services – while on the road. We’re thrilled to be a part of the revolution that is making the minivan the cool vehicle to own.’

About Autonet Mobile
Autonet Mobile is the world’s first in-car internet service provider. Founded by a corporate executive and former race car driver and a leading network architect and designer, the company is dedicated to enhancing the in-car experience by bringing the power of the internet to the 200+ million cars on the road in the U.S. For more information about Autonet Mobile, visit www.autonetmobile.com

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New ‘BUS’ Character Voiced by Thomas Haden Church Discusses Fuel Efficiency, Safety and Low Cost

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today kicks off the latest installment of its DAS AUTO brand campaign, this time with a collection of 30-second TV spots entitled ‘Meet the Volkswagens.’ The new spots again feature Max the Beetle but also introduce a brand new character named BUS. Voiced by actor Thomas Haden Church, BUS is a talking ruby red 1963 Volkswagen Micro Bus who draws upon Volkswagen’s tradition and heritage while creating clever vignettes that make subtle competitive comparisons in order to highlight key messages like mileage, fuel efficiency, cost of ownership and safety. The campaign will run for 8 weeks and will be supported online and at dealerships nationwide. A first for Volkswagen, the TV spots will direct viewers to Facebook where they will experience information and messaging surrounding the campaign and other brand initiatives.

 
‘Meet the Volkswagens’ will help to increase the familiarity of our growing product line, while bringing awareness to the true value of owning a Volkswagen,’ said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing at Volkswagen of America. ‘We will build our case by sharing facts about real issues that customers care about, debunking myths and doing it in a tongue-in-cheek and entertaining way that is uniquely Volkswagen.’
 
The ‘Meet the Volkswagens’ campaign, developed with partner Crispin Porter + Bogusky, is comprised of five 30-second spots set in a neighborhood of modernist homes designed by the late Joseph Eichler. Each stylish spot will showcase a key Volkswagen model along with Max and/or the new BUS having conversations with the neighbors about competitive models as compared to Volkswagens. This is the first time Volkswagen will use a campaign to directly address its competition. Conversations will focus on key models including the clean diesel Jetta TDI, CC, Tiguan and Routan, as well as Volkswagen’s new Carefree Maintenance program offering no-charge scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.
 
Actor Thomas Haden Church voices the BUS throughout the campaign series. Best known for roles on the TV sitcom Wings, 2007’s Spiderman 3 and his Academy Award Nomination for the 2004 hit Sideways, Church’s vocal qualities landed him in radio before becoming a success in film and on television. ‘I was excited by the chance to work with an iconic brand like Volkswagen and to develop my character to help make the campaign fun and irreverent,’ said Church.
 
‘Meet the Volkswagens’ is the latest extension of Volkswagen’s DAS AUTO brand campaign launched in 2008, which introduced the world to Max, the iconic, quirky, talking 1964 black Beetle. The addition of BUS in the new installment is designed to play on the tradition and feel-good nature of the brand while at the same time, educating consumers.
 
‘We’ve drawn upon more traditional values and imagery for this campaign, particularly in the given economic climate. We want the people to know how well Volkswagen meets the needs of today’s drivers and families, especially when it comes to value, safety and reliability,’ added Ellis.
 
In addition to the ‘Meet the Volkswagens’ ads, Volkswagen also launches today its first true consumer blog forum called TDI Truth & Dare. Through the forum, Volkswagen will educate its visitors on the truth about clean diesel technology using real facts while also daring them to get involved in the alternative fuel discussion.   The site will feature fun videos, blog content on the subject of clean fuel, a high mileage driving competition for Facebook users called ‘Tank Wars,’ and a ‘diesel finder’ and ‘savings calculator’ application.

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Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced April 2009 sales of 16,289 units, a 16.1 percent decrease over April 2008 sale of 19,415 units.

Volkswagen’s European tuned minivan, Routan, posted its best sales month ever with 2,606 unit sales. The New Beetle also performed well in April with its best sales month since August of 2008.

‘Our new products continue to sell well and are helping us gain important market share.’ said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. ‘Products like our Tiguan and stylish CC continue to perform well. We are extremely pleased that our seven passenger minivan, Routan, posted its best sales month ever. Volkswagen also has several key new models coming this year, like our all-new clean diesel Touareg TDI, which will be available in dealer showrooms across all 50-states this month. We’re also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the all-new sixth generation Golf and GTI. Our Golf, which was recently named World Car of the Year, will be offered with the highly acclaimed clean diesel engine when it arrives this fall.’ added Barnes.

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