Chrysler, VW may Develop Minivan

Washington DC September 13, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that Chrysler and Volkswagen are negotiating to launch a VW-branded version of Chrysler’s next generation minivan in 2007, Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda confirmed in an interview Monday, according to the Free Press.

LaSorda said the shared effort will enable Chrysler to reduce capital costs by sharing them with another company; VW, in turn, will have a much-needed people mover based on the same platform that rules the minivan sales space. Chrysler plans to launch a new generation minivan in 2007, the VW version will most likely have unique exterior body panels and different interior features and materials.

VW recently scrapped plans to develop a retro minivan based on its 1960s-era microbus.