Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:26:35 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 2013 California
In-Reply-To: <CAKA=wSZ4VQNu2Ms8gcwBSiM=OqRqPsibcZWfYG1tGN7=zWcDOw@mail.gmail.com>
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The problem is that since 2003 VW has given up on the minivan in the US.
They simply could not compete on price, and didn't want to make one here to
become competitive. They made the EVC because they avoided tariffs by
shipping a partially completed chassis to Winnebago for conversion.
Weekenders were almost as expensive (completely made in Germany) and were
purchased by those who didn't need a full camper and wanted a "Eurocool"
daily driver. Maybe they will get back into minivans if they want to be the
world's number one car manufacturer, that's a big hole in the product line.
The Ford Transit lineup might offer some conversion options that could be
affordable, but VW is strictly cars and SUVs in the US now. I doubt that
Winnebago will ever bother with an EVC type conversion again, and the others
like Sportsmobile, Roadtrek and Pleasure Way may look at the Transit
platform now that the Ford E Series is out of production. More likely
though they will stick with the Sprinter to cram all the luxury items
Americans seem to want.
Frankly, a $60,000 GoWesty Vanagon Syncro Westy primo restoration would be a
good value if they would just give up on the hopelessly unreliable and
obsolete WBX engine and install an alternative engine. You can't make a
silk purse out of a sow's ear, but they keep trying. I was amazed to read
Lucas's recent post on his 2.7l "top of the line" experimental engine. I'd
be surprised if it makes it 20,000 miles before exploding, and I'll wager
he'd have to sell it for about $10k if at all.
A Bostig/GoWesty partnership could be a smart business decision for both
companies.
Stuart
From: Pete O [mailto:pnoceanwesty@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 12:58 PM
To: Stuart MacMillan
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: 2013 California
What about a T5 built in Chattanooga, TN next to the Passat line? That
would change the price points some. Maybe outfitted by Winnebago? Maybe
they could run the unfinished models up to Elkhart Indiana for some camping
conversions?
Pete
'87 Westy "JoesVan"
'79 Westy "Aardvark"
On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 1:07 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
wrote:
That price includes a 20% VAT, so the base price is closer to $50k. For
comparison, the last EVC sold here in 2003 listed for about $35k, which is
about $42k in today's dollars.
By the time a California got over here it would cost over $80k with US mods
(like air bags), shipping, tariffs, etc. You won't see a VW camper here
until it's 100% made in the US or Mexico (unlikely, since VW has abandoned
the minivan segment), and it could be sold in the $50k range.
Check out your entry level American RV for $20k to $50k and you understand
why we likely won't get a VW camper here again. You want a Class B van
camper? Your choice is a Sprinter conversion for over $100k.
Download the brochure though, it will make you drool. Bi-turbodiesel
option, double glazed windows, electro-hydraulic opening top, lots of cup
holders and the clever storage that you expect from a VW design. Truly a
land yacht.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Rob
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 7:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2013 California
Just under $60k USD may seem a bit much to me but if your were
shopping for a Vanagon camper at GoWesty it might not.
http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/california-range/california/overview/
Rob
vwrobb@gmail.com
Eisenhower warned us but they won anyway
