VW rethinks its minivan strategy ; Volkswagen may put the Microbus and its next Sharan on the Transporter platform.

Automotive News Europe,  March, 2002  by Weernink, Wim Oude

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Volkswagen's next Sharan minivan, its new Microbus and the replacement for the Transporter light commercial vehicle may use the same platform.

Volkswagen executives are rethinking the group's approach to minivans and light commercial vehicles because of changing competitive conditions.

They include:

* Slowing sales of the current Transporter and its companion vehicle, the Caravelle.

* Joint production of the Sharan, Seat Alhambra and Ford Galaxy will not continue beyond the current generation.

* Seat is adopting a sportier brand image, which means that the Alhambra ...

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