Chrysler, Dodge and now VW minivans

[AAA]

This has been a long-known item to car geeks. But soon it is expected that you will see VW Minivans that is the TRIPLET (as opposed to twin) of the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...148/AUTO01

Chrysler will produce the VW minivan at the Windsor plant that turns out the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, officials said.

This is one (other) reason the Chrysler Pacifica was axed, they needed the line's capacity to build this VW.

[MacMagus]

They must have made the plans years ago before the dollar plummeted. This is going to cost them!

[AAA]

Of course cars are planned at least 3 - 5 years in advance. But, while the currency is lower here, THAT is the incentive to build HERE. Another reason you don't see manufacturing facilities in downtown (expensive city name goes here)...the cost of manufacturing is too high.

If China continues, their cost to build will be high(er) too. There's always some leapfrogging of currency/cost to build going on.

[spearmint]

The article mentions that Volkswagens keep their value well here. Last Week I read they were the second best in this area behind Toyata. Wha? On the lots I've visited the resale value is only poorer than Kia and Suzuki. My feeling about VW's is that they are unreliable due to poor quality control. IMHO. The good ones were the bugs and hippie built in the sixties but look out for trying to climb hills.

[comaplate]

Wonder if the minivan is anything like the microbus-ish concept car they had a few years back...

[Yoyodyne ArtWorks]

I find it very hard to believe that VWs hold their resale value better than Hondas.

[AAA]

Last I looked, Mini Coopers were one of the very best, if not THE best, resale car.

[TLB]

Kelley Blue Book lists VW as the best in holding its value accordong to the 2008 Best Resale Value Awards. According to Clark Howard, they are making a big comeback after a black period in their history.

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/2007/11/15/

[macphanatic]

I have yet to meet anyone that has a VW that would buy another. Does the Mini hold resale value due to limited (in a relative sense) production?

[Bill in NC]

Diesels.

Used VW diesels have kept their value.