Date:         Sat, 20 Jan 2001 13:33:33 -0800
Reply-To:     Chris Radcliffe <chrisrpb@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Radcliffe <chrisrpb@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      My comments on microbus concept
In-Reply-To:  <016a01c07eb7$80faaa00$994f0a3f@pavilion>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I attempted to send the following to VW via their flashy site feedback at
http://www.vw.com/microbus/ .  Not sure it went, had script errors.  Anyone
succeed with this?  ( I sent it to other addresses on the main VW site as
well).

ChrisR
Chrisr@slip.net
'90 Westy Auto "Blue Whale
----------------------
Here is my rant:

What do I think of the new microbus concept? Terrific of course.  I've owned
T1's, T2's T3's.  All Westy's.  And that's my point.  The design themes for
the new microbus are great, as is the messaging about utility for anyone to
do anything, move people well, support outdoor activities.  But the interior
design theme seems in conflict -- very cushy, high-tech.  That's great, but
how does that support the mountain bikers, surfers and even soccer-moms with
a ton of stuff to haul around?  I *am* a surfer, carrying up to 4 boards,
wetsuits, and other gear *inside* my '90 Vanagon. I sleep in it often.  My
plea: do the cushy, high-tech thing as a baseline, but also make sure the
vehicle is configurable to the max, to match the dynamic needs of the user.
We need real storage and some straight lines, methods to hang boards, bikes,
camping gear *inside* the vehicle if we want to.  Maybe not the full Westy
thing, but better thought-out than the Weekender, basically a
fully-upholstered passenger van with a pop-top (and that's what I see from
the show).
Also, spend some time on Vanagon.Com or other bus-oriented site, subscribe
to the mailing lists, review the archives.  These *are* your people, at
least from your positioning.  We may not represent the center of your target
demographic ($), but without a doubt we keep the flame and true spirit of
the original microbus.  See how we use it.  Bring it back alive.  Otherwise,
you'll just end up with another cushy, swoopy, curvy Previa/Windstar/Caravan
that really only moves people around, just another station wagon replacement
with less utility than what we had in the '60s'.