Date:         Wed, 8 Dec 2010 10:20:54 -0700
Reply-To:     Florian Speier <groups.florian@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Florian Speier <groups.florian@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: More New Bus Info
Comments: To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTiks3FSrK-Hbjzgn=KeTTF1BcRKS+w_Jo=nf7fSL@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Really, VW has already a current bus. Its the T5. The design is a
success worldwide except in the U.S., where it was never launched. I
can see a retro styled rear engined van from VW for third world
countries as a cheaper base than the T5 to compete with the Hiace and
the likes.... but not sure about the U.S. market, with the combination
of high crash test standards and absurdly low car prices. My family
recently bought a T5 califoania camper in Germany, used, ex rental, 8
months old with about 20kmiles, for about US$55000. New it would have
been more like $75000. I dont see too much reason to sell it in the
U.S. for VW, even though I would love them too. Why sell the vehicle
here for say $45000 when you can sell out your production elsewhere at
higher profit margins?
Unless the euro/dollar exchange rate changes considerably, i dont see
much reason for VW to do more than keep a foot in the market with
leftover cars that were not sold in Germany (like oddly configured
Tiguans) and maybe make some profits on mexiko-produced jettas.
Florian

On Tue, Dec 7, 2010 at 9:28 PM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:
> VW needs to hire that guy! He hit the nail on the head as far as I'm
> concerned.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
> '86 (We call this one Scrap)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>