Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2007 19:58:39 -0500
Reply-To: vt <samcvt@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: vt <samcvt@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: "Brand new" bus now Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
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Tks Greg.
I am a long, long way from being a credible expert about this, but in my
inquiries to find viable resources for solar equipment suitable for U.S.
recreational boating folks have led me to believe that there is a gap
between what is available and what might be marketable in the solar energy
arena.
So, I've communicated a bit with some Chinese representatives and appreciate
that the nation has encouraged what I can only term "industrial production
communities" where specific products are created and fabricated for
worldwide consumer use.
In the course of doing this limited research, it has become clear to me that
our U.S. economy can (only if willing) compete if we would focus
manufacturing specialty(ies) in regions and/or communities in the U.S. and
market our products from those geo-economic sites. I recall, from my
earlier studies that we did that during the earliest years of our country's
emerging industrial steel and other production facilities and industries.
Somehow, out people and our nation as a whole seem to have forgotten this
lesson and success.
So, when I wonder in writing about the possible efficacy of a start-up
re-creating a Westy-comparable vehicle, I guess I am wondering if the energy
and excitement really exists somewhere in our culture to make it happen. If
so, I am willing to plan and work for that sort of effort, and I have no
energy or time to concern myself with the woebegone thinking folks who only
resent those Asian folks who are emerging as innovative, creative
entreprenaurs.
SamC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Potts" <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: "Brand new" bus now Vanagon
> Hi Anthony,
>
> Automotive manufacturers have become hopelessly addicted to planned
> obsolescence. After 16 years away from the market, there is no way
> that you are going to convince VWOA to bring back the Vanagon. Even
> allowing that they might make it pass modern crash standards, it
> would still be seen as an obvious admission that the Eurovan and
> Taureg aren't the products that the public wants. No-one in their
> marketing dept. is going to be willing to commit carreer suicide
> pushing that idea, even if they're right.
>
> Your best bet would be to find a competent Chinese factory to restart
> work on a clone using the South African Vanagon tooling. Have them
> manufacture it as a kit-car, set up to go with a transmission that
> will accept an inline-4, and for the sake of economy and licensing
> leave off whatever brake and suspension hardware that could be
> sourced domestically.
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> 1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato
> www.pottsfamily.ca
> www.busesofthecorn.com
>
>
>
> On 7-Apr-07, at 4:44 PM, Anthony Egeln wrote:
>
>> In a post I once suggested we dedicate a website petitioning VW to
>> bring back the vanagon....updated of course with an inline gas or
>> TDI engine! The production tooling must exist somewhere between
>> South Africa and Germany.
>>
>> Some folks said that it wouldn't pass US regulations because of the
>> cab over wheels design, and others said it would be too expensive.
>> But there are new imported trucks out there that are cab over wheel
>> and with folks paying GoWesty 30-40M (and more) for a 2wd Westy,
>> not to mention your comment about "drain the bank account", there
>> might be a market out there. It doesn't have to cost a million
>> clams. There IS a world-wide market hungry for a good 'ol VW SUV
>> (sport utility van). I'd buy a new syncro pax van or maybe even a
>> Westy.
>>
>> Dreams CAN come true! Anthony
>> '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
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