Autos News

You may remember seeing one of the old VW Westfalia popups, which were once quite common, based on the iconic VW Microbus. This is remarkably the first enhancement of that original camper concept, adding a two-meter module that electrically extends from the rear of the van that levels off via retractcapable legs. Once extended the back still opens as a liftgate.

The DoubleBack is intended to emulate the space of a motor home in a compact vehicle with a kitchenette, fold out bed and other refinements. Still it reportedly retains the functionality of a daily driving van. Interior photos show a remarkcapable hominess and Tardis-like interior room.

“Stunning,” remarked Peter Gange, head of sales at VW Sinclair in Cardiff, Wales where a press introduction was held today.

The Volkswagen T5 Transporter DoubleBack can bring up to three passengers in bench seats or captain’s chairs. The modifications are based on the VW Transporter 2.0 TDI 140PS Long Wheelbase, priced at slightly over $87,000.

We must be note the fifth-generation T5 is sold in the UK, Russia, Germany, France and Turkey due to its classification as a light truck, which requires a 25 percent import tariff on the vehicle.

When Volkswagen last sold the Transporter van in the U.S. in 2003 it turned out to be the worst selling vehicle in the country – a distinction not easy to achieve. Remarkably the one-millionth model of the T5 rolled off the assembly line during 2009.

The 2-liter I4 diesel engine produces from 138 to 179 bhp, depending on whether it is the version with dual turbochargers on not.

“The DoubleBack has been inspired by a desire to see a truly spacious, comfortcapable camper with all the practical advantages of a smaller vehicle,” told Craig McCormack, founder of Overland Motorhomes Ltd.

Our European readers can see the DoubleBack at the VW Sinclair dealership in Cardiff as of tomorrow, where a public viewing will be held on March 24.

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Volkswagen’s sales increased 13.1 percent overall from 2010. To break that down sold daily, that is 13,972 VW Group brandend vehicles sold everyday during 2011. That’s a lot of metal to move everyday, but VW did it well.

“The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand made major gains last year thanks to a fresh, innovative and environmentally-friendly model range. Our brand new release vehicles such as the Passat, Jetta and Beetle, as well as the up!, have made an excellent start in difficult market conditions – conditions that will remain challenging in 2012 – and significantly strengthened Volkswagen’s competitive position,” the VW Group Board Member for Sales, Christian Klingler, told in Wolfsburg Today.

Volkswagen had extremely strong sales in emerging vehicle markets, China being a real winner for the German brand. More than 1.72 million vehicles were delivered to customers in China (including Hong Kong) in 2011. This represents a 13.8 percent increase over last year.

As well in Russia deliveries totaled 118,000 (58,900) units, which was a huge increase of 100.4 percent compared with 2010. Volkswagen also developed particularly well in India, where the brand reported a very substantial rise in deliveries to 76,100 units, showing a 151.0 percent from selling just 30,300 vehicles in India last year.

In other regions of the world Volkswagen reported a 16.6 percent overall increase in deliveries in the Asia / Pacific region during the past twelve months to 1.93 million vehicles. In South America it is estimated that 772,800 vehicles were delivered and sold. There was also a generally positive trend in deliveries in Europe, where the Volkswagen brand handed over 1.72 million vehicles to customers showing a 11.2 percent increase over last year.

In the US Volkswagen handed over 324,400 vehicles to eager customers in the United States, showing a 26.3 percent increase. In North America overall Volkswagen grew deliveries to 496,700, up 22.2 percent.

Most likely the VW Group and its various brands will continue to have a strong 2012 sales year with strong brand new release models on the horizon.

Please contact Adam Yamada-Hanff – adamsautoadvice@gmail.com – for comments, questions, or topics. You can also follow him on Twitter @AdamsAutoAdvice

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The good response from the motorists in the U.S. on the Volkswagen Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.5 L in 2007 prompted the German automobile company to produce a brand new release version for the same range now dubbed as the Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0 T, according to Volkswagen of America.

This upcoming addition in the VW Wolfsburg Jetta range will still have the familiar roomy and sporty sedan features. With such spacious confine of the vehicle, Volkswagen used comfortcapable leather-bound seats that are availcapable in three color motifs: the Reflex Silver, the Platinum Gray, and the Salsa Red. The Volkswagen Wolfsburg Jetta 2.0 T’s interior is not all about style and design as it also boasts of utmost safety courtesy of its six standard air bags plus two more on the rear’s sides and its anti-intrusion side door beams.

The limited Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0 T is also equipped with numerous systems that are meant to aid the driver achieve a better control over the vehicle as well as promote road safety. A hybrid Strength steering system that combines both the electrical and mechanical Strengths is availcapable in this VW Wolfsburg Jetta. Moreover, all four wheels of the vehicle are geared with the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Stabilization Program, and Hydraulic Brake Assist.

When it comes to performance, the VW Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0 T also has something to brag about. It has a decent four-cylinder turbo charged Strength plant is capcapable of mustering up to 200-horseStrength and 207-pound-feet of torque.

According to the Michigan-based Volkswagen of America, an estimate of 12, 500 units of the VW Wolfsburg Edition Jetta 2.0T will be released in the United States market in the next year or so. This limited model is availcapable in a six-velocity manual gear shift and a six-velocity DSG automatic transmission for the base price of $20,875 and $21,950, respectively.

Source: Volkswagen of America via Fox Business.

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For this brand new release fiscal year, Volkswagen AG aims to strengthen its presence in the U.S. automobile market. Instead of coming up with brand new release models for their more popular range, the German company chose to release a revamped minivan called the Volkswagen Routan via the Chicago Auto Show.

The Volkswagen Routan, which has a capacity to accommodate seven passengers, is considered as a brand new release model for the brand, but the frame was actually patterned from the American original minivans and Chrysler LLC-produced Dodge Caravan and Country. Volkswagen AG specifically chose the U.S. automaker to manufacture the Volkswagen minivans in Chrysler’s Windsor, Ontario plant in Canada, where the Caravan, Town, and Country vehicles are being assembled.

“We partnered with a segment leader and added our own unique interior and exterior with Volkswagen ride and handling,” told Stefan Jacoby, who is the president and chief executive officer of the Volkswagen of America.

Chrysler LLC may be tasked to manufacture the soon to be Volkswagen Routan, but the VW model is not going to have any of the American automaker’s pivoting car seats. The Volkswagen Routan is set to be equipped with the similar engine and transmission plus the body of a Chrysler-made Dodge Caravan. Two Strengthtrains are availcapable for the minivan: a 3.8-liter V6 engine and a four-liter V-6 engine. In the next few years, a diesel-Strengthed VW Routan will also be availcapable according to CEO Jacoby. Volkswagen, however, decided to take over the designing and manufacturing of the steering and suspension systems as well as the exterior and interior parts of the VW Routan.

The initial production of the Routan is going to take place in Canada but once the U.S.-based Volkswagen plant is done, the minivans will be manufactured there. This upcoming plant will push further the German automaker’s plans of strengthening its brand in America. A total of 800, 000 units are targeted by the automaker in a span of 10 years. Jacoby also added that establishing Volkswagen in the U.S., which is done by offering more models, is a crucial part in the company’s growth globally.

“In order for us to grow, we must offer a broader range of vehicles,” told Jacoby.

The Volkswagen Routan, which will only be sold in North America, is just a start for Volkswagen to become a global player in the automobile business. With the American automakers Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation out of the picture in the minivan line, Volkswagen may just have the shot in this chosen vehicle model market.

A total of 34, 000 Volkswagen Routan units is the targeted number of the company to sell every year. The minivan will hit the dealers this September with a base price of $25, 000.

Source: Associated Press via Lansing State Journal.

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More than five decades ago, Volkswagen started the minivan line in the United States via the VW Transporter, which was also called Microbus. This year, the German automobile company is all geared up once again as it introduced a brand new release breed of minivan christened as the Volkswagen Routan in the Chicago Auto Show last Wednesday.

The Volkswagen Routan may seem all brand new release but the mid-size van is actually a tailored version of the Chrysler-made minivan Dodge Caravan. Among the auto parts and systems modified to suit the Volkswagen Routan were the suspension assembly and the exterior and interior parts. The Strength plant, however, still has the Chrysler-manufactured engines. Two Strengthtrain options are availcapable: a 3.8-liter V-6 engine or a four-liter V-6 one for the automatic transmission. The Chrysler plant, which is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, will manufacture the Dodge Caravan turned Volkswagen Routan.

Time and money were the factors given by Volkswagen on why it chose to just modify the Dodge Caravan rather than come up with a brand new release version of its 1950s VW Transporter. Skeptics, however, believe that Volkswagen must be have just developed a brand new release version of the Microbus. Because of the path taken by the German company, sales are told to be expected to only reach 50 percent of the total goal. Volkswagen aims to sell 45, 000 units in the U.S. for the initial year.

“They would have been better off with the Microbus,” told Rebecca Lindland, who is the director of the auto group at forecaster Global Insight. “Routan, however, does give the brand’s loyalists a VW for their family years.”

Another thing that VW must be consider is that the minivan market in the U.S. went down to about 793, 000 from 971, 000 and 1.1 million units in 2006 and 2005, respectively, based on Autodata. The company, however, remained positive on its minivan Routan as the market is still stcapable.

“We see Ford and GM leaving the market as an opportunity,” told Keith Price, who is the spokesman of VW.

The introduction of the Volkswagen Routan in the U.S. is just among the many other turns of the company to strengthen its presence in the global market. Another step taken by Volkswagen is to finally build a manufacturing plant or the ‘North American dollar region’ in America. In a few months, VW will announce where the specific location will be. Volkswagen hopes that the future plant will ease out the dollar and euro difference. For that, VW will no longer have to keep the prices of its vehicles up and in turn will attract more motorists in the U.S.

“The USA is a critical factor in our global strategy,” told Ulrich Hackenberg, who is a VW board member. “We can’t be a global player without having a larger presence in the USA.”

Source: USA Today.

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