VW. The brainiacs at the German automaker are getting ready to introduce their new Chrysler-based minivan, the Routan, at the Chicago Auto Show. Interesting timing. Why? Hmm, let's see, 1. Customers are walking away in droves from minivans in favor of crossovers in the U.S. market, and a VW minivan (due next fall) couldn't come at a worse time. And 2. VW comes up with yet another nonsensical vehicle name that has people scratching their heads. What are these guys thinking? Or better yet, have they just stopped thinking altogether? The Microbus Concept VW unveiled in Detroit years ago is the vehicle they should have built if they wanted to get into the people mover business. Instead, they actually believe that a warmed-over Chrysler minivan with a couple of VW emblems on it and a name that will have people saying "What?" constitutes their next brilliant move in the U.S. market. All together now, Not Good.

VW. The brainiacs at the German automaker are getting ready to introduce their new Chrysler-based minivan, the Routan, at the Chicago Auto Show. Interesting timing. Why? Hmm, let's see, 1. Customers are walking away in droves from minivans in favor of crossovers in the U.S. market, and a VW minivan (due next fall) couldn't come at a worse time. And 2. VW comes up with yet another nonsensical vehicle name that has people scratching their heads. What are these guys thinking? Or better yet, have they just stopped thinking altogether? The Microbus Concept VW unveiled in Detroit years ago is the vehicle they should have built if they wanted to get into the people mover business. Instead, they actually believe that a warmed-over Chrysler minivan with a couple of VW emblems on it and a name that will have people saying "What?" constitutes their next brilliant move in the U.S. market. All together now, Not Good.