Date:         Mon, 18 Jun 2001 11:20:04 -0700
Reply-To:     Donna Stewart <DStewart@CHRM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Donna Stewart <DStewart@CHRM.COM>
Subject:      Re: Middle Seat Shoulder Belts VW PAYS
Comments: To: hotch@HOTSTRINGS-INC.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

I've been on the phone with VW customer service for 15 minutes and they have NO knowledge of this.  If this is true and not an internet rumor please give us names, times and dates when you talked to VW so we can track this down.  Also, case name and number of court decision (as well as court where trial took place) requiring VW to do this would be helpful  Thank you.

Donna, 1987 Wolfsburg

>>> "R. Hotchkiss" <hotch@HOTSTRINGS-INC.COM> 06/17/01 06:41PM >>>
Hey All,

As it had been mentioned before, VW lost a $16 million dollar lawsuit
back in February.  As a result of this, a technical bulletin has been
sent to the dealers about installing shoulder belts on the middle set of
seats and VW PAYS FOR IT!

I called VWoA and spoke to a very nice woman named Amy wondering if I
could get a retro fit for my 86 GL due to the information that came out
in the lawsuit (ie.VW knew in 1986 that it was safer to put in the belts
and that foreign models came with them) and I did not ask for a freebie,
I just inquired if it was available.  She called me back a few days
later to tell me that my local dealer has ordered the kit and will
install it. ALL FOR FREE.

I was on a road trip (Philly-Chicago-Philly no problems) when I found
out about it and I'm calling the dealer tomorrow to get it done.

I've read about some listees having problems when they've called VWoA,
but I have to tell you that this was some of the best customer service
I've ever received from any company.

Please call your dealer nearest you and get your retro fit shoulder
belts now.  I told VW that I would post this and they seemed very happy
to hear it.

Hotch
86 Vanagon GL  183K miles and counting
89 Jetta GL
Philly