1997 Volkswagen Sharan | Volkswagen Cars
Volkswagen Cars: 1997 Volkswagen Sharan

1997 Volkswagen Sharan






Volkswagen Sharan

The Volkswgen Sharan is a large MPV produced by the German automaker Volkswagen since 1995. Produced in a joint venture with Ford, it sells a version of the same model as the Ford Galaxy, and VW's Spanish subsidiary SEAT sells another version, known as the Alhambra. All three models are built in Palmela, Portugal.

The name Sharan is derived from a Persian word meaning "Carrier of Kings".

The VW Sharan/Ford Galaxy joint venture project started in the 1991 to enter the multi-purpose vehicle segment. Late 1994 the Volkswagen Group and Ford revealed their new twins, and production started in early 1995. The Volkswagen Group later on rebadged their Volkswagen version and sold it as the SEAT Alhambra in 1996.

Annual production figures for the VW Sharan are in the 50,000 unit region.

The Sharan is sold in Europe, South Africa and some Asia-Pacific and South American countries. The Sharan was not sold in North America due to an agreement between Ford and Volkswagen, thereby leaving the market for Ford's Aerostar minivan.

The three MPVs received a major facelift in 2000 with each having their own designs.