| Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler are | | | | departing the company in search of a |
| getting hitched. Well, sort of. The two | | | | larger people mover. |
| predominately German automakers are not | | | | DaimlerChrysler [DCX] will benefit by |
| merging, but are in the process of | | | | maxing out production of its minivan |
| exploring building products for one | | | | fleet. In addition, DCX is also studying |
| another. What is coming? Who gets what | | | | importing rebadged versions of VW's |
| vehicle? What can all this mean? Read on | | | | popular compact Polo to fill a glaring |
| and I will tell you. | | | | gap in its own line up. The tiny Polo |
| It is official: Volkswagen has decided | | | | will likely be sold as a Dodge and be |
| not to import its microbus "minivan" to | | | | the entry level vehicle just below the |
| the American market. Citing conversion | | | | soon-to-be-released Caliber, a |
| costs and exchange rate differences, VW | | | | replacement for the Neon. Details are |
| has elected instead to start selling its | | | | currently sketchy, but the new "Polo" |
| own version of Chrysler's popular | | | | could arrive as a 2007 model. |
| minivans in the US. Based on the | | | | Yes, VW and DCX aren't getting married, |
| Chrysler Voyager, the new VW minivan has | | | | but the two automakers appear to be in |
| yet to be named but it will be nothing | | | | the fortunate position to help each |
| more than a rebadged Voyager. The | | | | other out to the benefit of both. Now, |
| minivan will fill a glaring hole in the | | | | let's just see how consumers react to |
| VW line up and keep current owners from | | | | the rebadged products! |