Date:         Mon, 11 May 1998 11:39:23 -0400
Reply-To:     Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Re[2]: New beetle name
Comments: To: Don Gibbons <dgibbons@presray.com>, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <0000509E.CW21041@presray.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

At 11:30 AM 5/11/98 -0400, Don Gibbons wrote:
>But what would it have been like that if in 75 that VW introduced the new
beetle
>instead of the rabbit?
>

It probably would have turned out like a piece of crap. The build quality
on the 75 rabbits were terrible. They had tons of problems with the
cylinder heads cracking, etc. Besides, VW needed to get a break from the
Beetle. Given the falling sales of the Beetle in 1975, why re-invent the
beetle? They tried with the Type 3 and the Type 4 and failed. And given the
resistance of the buyers at that point in time, as well as your own biases
23 years later, do you actually think it would sell then?

I'm glad VW waited to "cash in" on the nostalgia craze with the New Beetle
in 1998...they have produced a car that not only captures the spirit of the
old beetle but is the safest small car on the market. Maybe I'm getting
old...but these days safety ranks high on my list.

Other things I'm glad about...the power train on the NB is a direct
descendant of the one in the 75 Rabbit...but with 23 year's worth of
modifications, corrections, improvements to boot!


>my comment on the beetle name refered to the fact that VW did not name it.

I understand that...but your comment referred to the fact that the "public"
gave the beetle its name and that VW somehow stole it...


Ric