Date:         Thu, 20 May 2004 19:21:59 +1200
Reply-To:     Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
Subject:      Re: microbus is dead NVC
In-Reply-To:  <000701c43dec$cf4eca40$87f35e44@none9c7r46o4i1>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

>VW just co- produced the Touareg by sharing the expense with Porsche for
>their Cayenne.
>Check out the similarities.

They are the same vehicle, with different drivetrains and frontal
styling. Both are very poor handlers onroad, but the VW is the less
bad of the two.
>
>Both US and Asian automakers are working on downsizing Mini Vans and cars.

Eh? Japanese cars grow with each truly new generation (every 8
years). Their vans basically come in 2 sizes... full-size (Hiace,
Hiace Regius, Homy/Caravan/Urvan, Bongo) and small (Liteace/Townace,
Sunny Vanette), with the Mitsubishi Delica an oddball in-between.
Neither size range is shrinking. The Japanese have never made
oversize vans like the Transit, LT & US crates, fortunately, though
the Jiace & Nissan are available in jumbo wheelbase.

>The SUV - MPV is going to be a dead animal with continued higher fuel
>prices.

Never... too many people need them.
--
Regards
Andrew