Date:         Tue, 4 Dec 2001 12:50:32 EST
Reply-To:     ThingGuy@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Lashley <ThingGuy@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: one again last try with the letter to CEO Pischetsrieder
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I have no idea if we will ever see a all wheel drive VW van here in the US,
but I know that VWOA is working hard to get all of their dealers setup to
service the larger vans.  VW offers training and incentives for their dealers
so they can service the EuroVans.

I also know that Winnebago is now producing 3 VWT4 based models, the EuroVan
Camper, Rialta and the new Itasca Sunstar.  Further evidence of the VW
commitment to the US van market.

Our best bet for a new Syncro may be the T5.  We should see that here in a
couple of years and it is going to be produced with front, rear, or all wheel
drive.

In the past couple of years VW and Audi have created a few prototypes of SUVs
and american style pickups.  We also saw the Microbus prototype introduced
earlier this year.  VW already has the marketing information they need, but
they find themselves in the position that Subaru was in a few years back.
They don't have the proper platform to build their all wheel drive SUV on.
The T4 Syncro is too expensive and the model is now over 10 years old.  It
wouldn't make since to bring the T4 Syncro only to replace it in a year or
two.  Based on VWs past history with vans, a new model is overdue.

Steve Lashley
SKL Enterprises Inc.
http://EuroCampers.com
636-797-9015
636-789-2127 fax