Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001 16:52:20 -0700
Reply-To: Charles McGehee <chasm@ELLTEL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Charles McGehee <chasm@ELLTEL.NET>
Subject: Re: ?? SA Engine Conversion ??
In-Reply-To: <3B2A954C.681D4E00@qwest.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Yes, although it took Honda and Toyota and their nice heaters/defrosters,
roomyness, etc. to persuade VW that the Beetle days were over. I loved
mine (a '57 with the little turn signals that popped out on the side) but I
really don't want to go back. Now Vanagons, that's another matter.
c
At 06:07 PM 6/15/01 -0500, andrewbell wrote:
>It only took them 25 years to figure out that the Beetle most profitable,
>successfully selling vehicle, that had endeared its self into the hearts of
>everyone, everywhere.
>
>The Vanagon? The're done with it, I'm afraid, but the concept live on.
>
>AB
>
>Charles McGehee wrote:
>
> > At 10:34 AM 6/15/01 -0500, Terry Kay wrote:
> > >Now here's a simple question----
> > >Why do you think, that buy offering an engine update kit for the
> > >Vanagon, that VW would jeopardize the Eurovan?
> > >
> > >Bwa, Ha, Ha, Ha , Ha, Ha !!
> > >( PIMP )
> > >
> > >I highly doubt it !!
> > >
> > > ______________
> > > |[ ] [ ] [ ]\
> > > | | | |
> > >||-(())----(())-|
> > >
> > >
> > >Terry
> > >74 Campmobile (Clementine)
> > >85 GL
> > >86 BMW 325 ES
> >
> > Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. If VW thought there were a nitch, they
> > would probably exploit it. But it's expensive offering a new line, even of
> > engine conversions. They would have to offer service over an extended
> > network, which means technical training, parts, warranty, etc. All those
> > resources would have to be shifted from other activities, such as
> > the Eurovan. VW's misjudged markets before such as when they ended the
> > Vanagon line and started with the first Eurovans which fell on their
> > faces. They had to spend a lot of money making up for their misjudgement
> > of the market.
> >
> > Further, replacement parts pricing policy follows a similar logic. High
> > prices will be paid by people who own new, valuable cars. And since older
> > cars compete in the market with newer cars, it is hoped that people owning
> > older cars will be less likely to pay the high prices and will be
> > encouraged to buy newer cars. That, of course, creates an after market to
> > cater to the likes of us who don't give up easily. A kit to keep an old
> > Vanagon going even longer isn't likely to be high on their list of
> > important things to do. But, as said, they've been wrong before.
> >
> > Charles
> > '85 Westy
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