VW News: Volkswagen Considers Selling Commercial Vehicles In The U.S.

[William Maley]

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

September 11, 2013

With Volkswagen still trying to work on taking over the world, sorry I mean become the number one automaker in the world, their chief executive of America says the company is considering selling commercial vehicles in the U.S.

Jonathan Browning, chief executive of VW Group of America told Reuters that vehicles such as the Caddy and Transporter vans "certainly represent an opportunity" for the United States.

"There are preliminary discussions (with VW's Wolfsburg-based management) but no definitive plans at the moment," said Browning.

If Volkswagen gives the green light for commercial vehicles to be sold in the U.S., that will likely begin in the second phase of the brand's U.S. expansion Browning said.

Source: Reuters

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[Robert Hall]

The Caddy would be a nice competitor for the Transit Connect and the Transporter would go well against the other Euro vans here from M-B, Ford, and Ram, I think...

[balthazar]

The "Caddy".....?!

[Robert Hall]

The "Caddy".....?!

Yes, like a carrier or container. Been called that for decades in Europe..probably would need a different name for NA.

[balthazar]

>>"Yes, like a carrier or container."<<

Gee golly Mr Wizard, thanks for 'splainin' that termino-logdy. Many folk prolly never did done heard that wurd before; good 'splainin!

>>"probably would need a different name for NA."<<

really?

[David]

That green monstrosity looks just like a Ford Connect. Ignorant question, but does it come from the same factory?

To me it sounds like they are too late to the party. So many others have already started production, I just do not see that big of a commercial market for everyone.

[TPhoenix]

Whatever their decision is, I'm sure they will do great business in the U.S, especially with the Caddy. Man, every last one of these auto companies are butting heads for the top spot.

[Robert Hall]

>>"Yes, like a carrier or container."<<

Gee golly Mr Wizard, thanks for 'splainin' that termino-logdy. Many folk prolly never did done heard that wurd before; good 'splainin!

It's not a common term, at least in American English...(the non-car slang, non-golf usage). ('shower caddy' was the only such usage I could think of, thought it was pretty obscure).

Edited September 12, 2013 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

It's pretty common : I've heard it about all my life, seen many products so dubbed. Google 'item caddy' and 10 million hits are returned. Surprised you've found it otherwise.

Regardless, the name won't fly here due to it being a generations-old nickname for Cadillac.

Surprising to me these mini-commercial vans are on what seems like a notable upswing... they are very limited in capacity. Of course, 'regular' passenger vehicles (short of SUVs) are too, so...

[Drew Dowdell]

I'm guessing they are replacing the "work" Mini-Vans that businesses used 5-10 years ago. The old Uplanders and Caravans with the seats removed will be replaced by these. I see Comcast near me has bought a bunch of Transit Connects when they used to be all Econolines.

[balthazar]

I looked at the TC's specs on Ford's site (and they are small for me), but I really would like to check one out in person.
I've driven an (extended, windowless, 2-seat) Econoline, and I could see how some would be turned away from such a large box. But IMO there's certainly a need for both.