Volkswagen hasn't the time and resources to build its own minivan and is planning a derivative of the next generation DaimlerChrysler Caravan/Town & Country model: so says Business Week's new AutoBeat blog site.

This from one of Europe's largest automakers and creators of the very first minivan, which preceded Chrysler's by decades? What a sad commentary on the mood at Volkswagen today.

It would never have happened were it not for VW exec Wolfgang Bernhard's previous job with DaimlerChrysler. As one of the team that whipped Chrysler into shape after DC's takeover (Bernhard was the cut-and-slash guy responsible for cutting costs by beating suppliers into submission), he was promoted to headquarters in Stuttgart where conflicts with then-Chairman Jurgen Schremp led to a quick departure. Now, in his new job at VW, the Wolfman takes the low-cost route again by closeting with his old pals at Chrysler.

No one will dispute DaimlerChrysler's ability to design a great minivan. But I would argue that a Volkswagen-branded Chrysler will not be acceptable to the majority of prospects; what makes VW distinctive is its European heritage and that's why people buy one. If the company is convinced it needs such a vehicle, surely it can use that experience to create a truly distinctive product (though it won't be the retro concept seen here). Of course, there once was a Chrysler powered by a VW engine. Anyone remember which one?