2014 VW Routan Repurposed to Support STEM Education

Although Volkswagen is winding down its minivan partnership with the Chrysler Group, the focus of that partnership, the 2014 VW Routan, has wound up earning a notable burst of buzz in recent weeks. Not only did the vehicle enjoy a 49 percent spike in sales last month, it also made news when the automaker donated one of the last remaining Routans to the Children’s Science Center in Herndon, Va.

Said the center’s executive director, Nene Spivy: “This generous donation of a Routan VW Van allows us to bring our Mobile Labs, which includes all of the equipment and supplies needed to serve 40 elementary schools this year, transforming entire gyms into interactive hands-on learning labs that excite children about science, technology, engineering and math. This is just one example of how all of our Museum Without Walls programs are now mobilized for greater impact and reach, enabling us to serve over 15,000 visitors in the coming year.”

(As a reminder, the 2014 VW Routan is a fleet-only product for the current model year, with Volkswagen expected to introduce a mid-size crossover as its retail replacement some time in the mid-term future.)