Date:         Fri, 9 Jan 2015 09:43:00 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
Comments: To: Mark Brush <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAJ92nOePOqmC6Aa0D9i6rhLn97TDTKXxwKkG5oZ0u=7VgD9gAQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

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

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