Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 15:21:02 -0500
Reply-To: Mark Brush <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Brush <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
In-Reply-To: <00cc01d02c33$b6ce44f0$246aced0$@gmail.com>
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The official word from VW is that there are no near term plans for such a
vehicle, but they do plan to talk about their SUV plans
<http://media.vw.com/release/796/> at the auto show. Will try to chat with
them about why a new bus isn't in the cards for this market.
Mark Brush, Digital Editor
Michigan Radio <http://michiganradio.org/>
w (734) 647-3472
<mark@michiganradio.org> <https://twitter.com/markbrush>
<https://www.facebook.com/mark.brush.10>
<https://soundcloud.com/mark-brush> <http://instagram.com/markthomasbrush>
On Fri, Jan 9, 2015 at 12:43 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Marc's article is interesting, and it would have to be made in Mexico to
> be cost competitive. VW abandoned the EV in 2003 because it was not
> competitive on price or features, it was a European product made for
> European drivers.
>
> It will be interesting to see if the Retro Bulli would make a decent
> camper if it does go into production.
>
> When the Euro hits parity with the dollar (and it may soon, or even go
> below, given the dire straits of the EU economy), VW could look at
> exporting the California camper van, but it would likely still be too
> expensive, and Americans want BIG, just look at the conversions Road Trek
> and Sportsmobile do today. How many would buy a California for $70k+ when
> you can get a used RV for less, or a new Class B conversion for $100k?
>
> It would give Go Westy some competition though!
>
> We need to keep our Vanagons going forever.
>
> Stuart
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Mark Brush
> Sent: Friday, January 09, 2015 8:35 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
>
> Hey all -
>
> My full-time job is crawling under my 1990 Westie trying to identify leaks.
> My *other *job is reporting for a public radio station here in Michigan.
>
> Every year I go to the Detroit Auto Show and try to come up with stories
> to write/produce for the station.
>
> I'm considering asking VW about their plans for a microbus at this year's
> show and writing a little post about it online.
>
> It seems like we've been hearing about a "new bus" every year for the last
> 15 years (I even recall a little Hot Wheel microbus being made).
>
> Here's the last thing I read about their plans:
>
>
> http://www.cartalk.com/blogs/jim-motavalli/five-reasons-vw-should-bring-back-bus
>
> Does anyone on this list have a burning question about VW's plans that I
> should ask? Anyone have any insights into what VW is planning here?
>
> My guess is that a quality microbus would be expensive to build, and it
> doesn't have the mass appeal they're looking for in the North American
> market.
>
> Any questions you want answered or any thoughts you want to share would be
> much appreciated!
>
> Best,
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> Mark Brush, Digital Editor
> Michigan Radio <http://michiganradio.org/> w (734) 647-3472
>
> <mark@michiganradio.org> <https://twitter.com/markbrush>
> <https://www.facebook.com/mark.brush.10>
> <https://soundcloud.com/mark-brush> <http://instagram.com/markthomasbrush
> >
>
>
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