We are told through one of our MINTUR sources Cuba is considering a large order of Volkswagen cars. Persons close to the deal say that Cuba is looking at replacing the problematic Geely vehicles from China with Vehicles from the Wolfsburg based German manufacturer. Apparently negotiations are pretty advanced and include the following vehicles which will initially appear in Havana and then be rolled out to car rental offices in Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin, Playa Pesquero, Santiago De Cuba and Pinar Del Rio. Cienfuegos and Villa Clara will receive the best of the older fleet until June 2013.

Volkswagen UP

This minicar is about the size of the current Hyundai Atos from Havanautos & CubaCAR, or the Peugeot 206 from VIA Gaviota

Volkswagen Touran

This mid size minivan would presumably replace the current Volkswagen Sharan Models and the Hyundai Trajet or KIA Karens offered by Havanautos car rental

Volkswagen Gold Cabriolet

In the past Cuba had a small fleet of just three Audi A4 Cabriolets offered by REX Car Rental. More recently, a small purchase brought the Peugeot 307 CC Cabrio to Cuban roads but with mixed reviews by CUBACAR who operated the vehicles. Bringing the venerable Golf (rabbit in the US) in its Cabriolet version should provide for a more reliable vehicle.

Volkswagen Passat

Those with a keen eye for cars will have seen the Volkswagen Passat in Cuba in various shades of metallic paint and one white version. However, this latest 2012 model comes standard with Leather upholstery, zoned climate control, cruise control and 19 inch wheels. This will presumably replace the veteran (and tired) Audi A4´s and (hopefully) the disastrous Chinese Emgrand vehicles being offered as medium high models much to the chagrin of customers.

Volkswagen Tiguan

This is by far the most awaited model for Cuba´s rental car fleet. It offers the 4×4 SUV prowesses of the Touareg but in a slightly smaller package. It seats 7 people so will probably replace the current Hyundai Santa Fe Cuba models and some of the older (very old…) Suzuki Vitaras and Grand Vitara´s in the VIA Car Rental Fleet with the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Apparently, CubaCAR should be getting the first Touran minivans that arrive in Cuba by mid August 2012. Havanautos will also be handling the small Cuba economic car rentals. The other models will be split between REX, VIA (gaviota) and Transtur (for both Havanautos & CubaCAR fleets)

Cuban Americans from Miami and the USA are also being looked after apparently because Havanautos & REX will be the sole suppliers of the automatic Passat, Touran and Tiguan models available in Cuba.  These cars will come with Volkswagens new 7 speed automatic!!

If any of our readers have some breaking news on new car rental purchases in Cuba please let us know either below or confidentially.