Date:         Sat, 19 Jan 2002 20:25:20 -0500
Reply-To:     kayakjr@JUNO.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Reynolds <kayakjr@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Goodbye Eurovan Detroit Auto Show
Content-Type: text/plain

>The Eurovan seems to work everywhere but here (in the USA).  They're
>even used in Canada as commercial vehicles.  The USA market is really
>kind of an oddity.  Ask Ford why they don't think the Mondeo would sell
>in the United States--it's the best car they make and we can't buy it
>here.

I agree with you on the Modeo - However, the reason that did not work was
a cramped back seat and then for the price one could get a Taurus, Accord
or Camry with more interior room.  Too much good competiton for the
money.  And then when it was brought over here, instead of leaving the
design alone, they had to tweak the stlying and suspension to give the US
what they though the market wanted.  Funny, Honda and Toyota don't really
do that.  Saw a SVT Mondeo for sale - I would love one of those.

The mini-van market in Europe is (in terms of real volume) far behind the
US - really only gainng popularity is the last 10 years or so.  And alot
of those aren't real great because they are designed as commercial
vechicles first.  A coupe of guys at work talked about the month they
spent in a Ford Transit in only one week in Germany!

If only our Honda van had a pop-top - then again, I'd be forced to sell
the Westy!

John R
81 Westy
95 Escort Wagon
90 Civic Si (226,000 miles) For sale
02 Honda Odyssey