WHY?

[Metric1]

I heard that Volkswagen was coming out with a new minivan, the Routan. I was looking through pictures and I was like.. this looks like the Grand Caravan that we have at the office? Daimler Chrysler builds the Volkswagen Routan, so much for German engineering with this one?!

What are your thoughts on one car company building a car for another company, and than that company marketing as something else?

I think the Routan will tarnish the Volkswagen name.

[GTA-Andy]

I think you're been too picky, a van would, in Europe, wreck any name, especially one of such woeful quality as a Voyager or Caravan. However this is still a common practise that makes everything cheaper and in the end helps the company, e.g. Mk4 Fiesta, Mazda 125, Volks Sharan, Ford Galaxy, SEAT something or other, 106 and Saxo. The same applies to the companies Lexus, Infinity, Mercury, Merkur, and every other company.

[GommeInc]

Hmmm, looks interesting. I can see the similarities in the two. Although the new Chrysler Voyager was built in Germany (we get this Chrysler/Jeep magazine through the post) so it's still German engineering, just owned by an American company :P

VW Routan:
http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto-shows/from-microbus-to-routan-will-new-vw-minivan-sell/8265589+cr1+re0+ar1/vw-routan.jpg

Chrysler Voyager:
http://www.thetorquereport.com/2008_chrysler_voyager-thumb.jpg

[xxMATTGxx]

Doesn't this type of thing happen all the time?

[Metric1]

Doesn't this type of thing happen all the time?

Well like Toyota and Lexus, Lexus is a devision of Toyota Motor Company, and I think my mom's Lexus GS300 is based on either the Toyota Camry or Avalon platform. But Volkswagen is going to some completely different company!