Date:         Mon, 8 Jan 2007 20:44:54 -0600
Reply-To:     Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      NAIAS Detroit Opening
Comments: To: wet Westies <wetwesties@yahoogroups.com>, Syncro@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Volks-

I attended the media opening of the NAIAS in Detroit today (and will return
tomorrow) for a shoot that I'm running for my client, General Motors.

While strolling around looking at some of the absolutely phenomenal new
concept vehicles (that I got MANY pictures of!) I came across the new Ford
van/bus concept, The Ford AirStream.

There have been many discussions regarding vehicles going after the feel
that can only be captured by a T2/T3 VW Transporter/Vanagon . . .

However, I really have to say that this thing is pretty unimistakably an
attempted ripoff of the bricks that we all know and love . . . the lines,
body shape, rotating front captain seats, all of it.

While some of the ideas (Hydrogen fuel cell, "2001: A Space Odyssey"
inspiration, media accessability, floating instrument panel with touch
screen vehicle controls) are pretty cool, and realizing that by necessity
the vehicle essentially MUST bear at least some resemblance to our beloved
bricks, the overall first impression I experienced with the AS was that the
overall execution was lifted, primarily from the T2.

Check it out:
http://media.ford.com/products/press_article_display.cfm?article_id=25147&vehicle_id=1530&make_id=trust&CFID=9356231&CFTOKEN=80cbda9798c9ec5-58F1241A-1185-6933-5DBA764F4D9844F7&jsessionid=58305b1b7c21J$16$5F$

Thoughts?

Matt
'90 GL "Blackbeard"