Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001 22:45:14 +1000
Reply-To: Simon Glen <simonglen@BIGPOND.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Simon Glen <simonglen@BIGPOND.COM>
Subject: Re: Mexico/Vanagon report-Guadalajara/Puerto Vallarta
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VW stopped production of the T2 Transporters at Puebla in Mexico during
1996 and shipped most of the components of this production line to the
VW factory at Taubate in Brazil. The water-cooled T2 Transporters which
you can currently buy new in Mexico are all made in Brazil. This
removal of Transporter production from Mexico to Brazil was done to make
way for New Beetle production.
The vehicles seen in Mexico with "Pointer" labels on them are not Golfs
or Jettas but are Brazilian-made VW "Gol" and "Parati" vehicles
re-labelled as VW "Pointer" for the Mexican market. The
Gol-Parati-Pointer (whatever they are called) cars, wagons and pick-ups
are vastly different from the Golf and Jetta. They are marginally
smaller than the Golf and Jetta (Bora) but bigger than the VW Polo.
But, most significantly, in the Gol-Parati-Pointer range the engines are
fitted in a North-South direction while the Golf-Jetta range engines are
fitted in an East-West direction.
For details of Mexican and Brazilian Transporters and Brazilian Gols,
Paratis and Pointers see the chapters on each in my book published in
1999 by Veloce and entitled "Volkswagens of the World". For further
deatails see <veloce.co.uk/vwworld.htm> )
Simon Glen, Toowoomba, Australia
1992 VW T3 Syncro van ("Vanagon" panel truck to Americans)
1969 VW 411
raj wrote:
> Observations from Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta:
>
> Saw three Vanagons in Puerto Vallarta--all with California
> plates.
>
> Lots of older buses, but (to my surprise) almost all air-
> cooled. Not too many of the water-cooled type 2s with
> the radiator on front; I expected more from what I'd
> seen in other parts of Mexico. Those I saw were all
> with the raised roof.
>
> Big surprise: Eurovans (panel truck model) for sale
> at the VW dealers. This makes me believe that VW has
> stopped production of the water-cooled type 2 in
> Mexico (maybe to increase production of new beetles?)
> Anybody know for sure?
>
> Saw a Golf with the label "Pointer" and a wagon based
> on either the Golf or Jetta also labeled "Pointer"--
> didn't get a good look, but it is something we don't
> have here. Didn't see anything labeled "Setter" ;-)
>
> In general, the Chrysler minivans and various American
> SUVs have taken over in Mexico for their middle class.
>
> Richard A. Jones
> Boulder, Colorado
> '81 Vanagon Mr Bus