Date:         Thu, 25 Mar 1999 23:57:40 -0500
Reply-To:     Matthew <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matthew <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      (f)Long 2000 Vanagon Westfalia Project cancelled by VW

From UPIO wire service report:

<<<picture>>>
VW's Year 2000 Vanagon Westfalia Project, (prototype shown here), will not
be produced.

March 19, 1999

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY-- Citing "design disagreements" with its camper
production outsource, Volkswagen, AG announced Thursday it has cancelled
production for the model year 2000 Vanagon Westfalia camper, destined for
North American markets. This would have been the first year for production
of the vehicle, which was last assembled for the US and Canada in 1991.

"This is truly disappointing to us," Volkswagen's Chief of Multi-Purpose
Vehicles, Helmut Gerber said during the press conference to announce the
cancellation. "Many people around the world came to expect excellence from
our Westfalia Vanagon campers, and were eager for its return. Our engineers
and marketing staff simply felt that the prototypes Westfalia produced were
horrible."

VW had a longstanding, and unique relationship with the post-production
retrofitter, Westfaliawerks, GmbH., of Hanover, Germany. Westfalia was
nearly the sole provider of well-equipped Volkswagen van and bus-based
campers, known worldwide since the late 1950's.

"No more! Those people are nuts! Kaput!" said Gerber. "We cannot believe
they would expect any consumer to desire this conversion."

During the outdoor press conference next to one of the Westfalia
Prototypes, Gerber walked around the vehicle, pointing out examples of what
he called "The designs of idiots".

"First off, we are perplexed that Westfalia redesigned the 'pop-top'. The
hard-polyester roofed, canvas-sided tent that extended from the vehicle's
natural roofline was a Westfalia signature design, and functioned so well."

The new design eliminates the hinged, folding, and elevating mechanism for
the top, fixing the original design permanently in the raised position,
essentially ruining the vehicle's aerodynamics. The canvas sides were
replaced in Westfalia's design with clear Plexiglas panels, making the
upper portion of the van look like the Holy Father's Pope-mobile.

"We noticed the architectural trend toward cathedral ceilings, and
skylights in homes," reported Westfaliawerks Gustav Klink, Direktor of
Design, in a printed response to VW's cancellation. "We felt the since the
Camper is people's 'home-away-from-home' it should be of the best
architectural design as well as being a sound vehicle. The soaring
roofline, and ample skylights gave the camper an open, airiness that is
hard to find in most camping vehicles."

Gerber admonished the statement from Westfalia, saying, "I believe this
dumkopf 'architectural idea' explains why they eliminated the lower bunk
and closet in favor of a full-sized GE dishwasher, and a stackable Maytag
clothes washer and dryer."

The doors of these appliances could only be opened once the rear seat was
removed, stowed in a weather-proof sleeve, and tied down on the roof of the
drivers compartment. "This is just very bad design," The VW Chief mused.

Gerber added, "In forty years, we have never heard consumer demand for a
full-flushing commode and bidet in the Camper, but Westfalia incorporated
one under the mechanism of the front passenger seat anyway...This is
stupid, and unsanitary."

The plumbing for the bidet forced the movement of the vehicle's primary and
secondary batteries to a large metal box fitted on top of the front bumper.
A supplemental 350 gallon "water bull" must be towed behind the camper to
supply water for the commode/bidet and other 'water-hungry' features of the
prototype.

"We thought the batteries were very handy out on the front bumper," Klink
responded.

Further grief from VW was heaped on Westfalia's decision to eliminate the
highly-usable galley kitchen unit, which was replaced with a small,
gas-fired, restaurant-quality pizza oven. "Everybody likes pizza. And what
would be better when you are camping that a piping-hot pizza, fresh from
the oven?" Westfalia's Klink queried in his written statement.

"This ridiculous oven adds nearly 450 lbs. to the vehicle, and eliminates
the valuable refrigerator and sink...where would people keep their beer, or
wash their hands in this vehicle?" Gerber asked. "We further thought the
large ceiling-mounted mirror, red velvet bed upholstery, and coin-operated,
vibrating upper bunk were completely out of place in our wholesome 'family'
camper. The little chandeliers were a nice touch, but too fragile for
family camping."

Westfalia reportedly added what it calls 'pleasure accommodations' because,
in the words of Herr Klink, "Oh, come on now. What does everybody like to
do after pizza and beer...?"

In this same vein, Westfalia also incorporated a small, cast-iron wood
burning stove just inside the sliding door. The water-bull trailer has
provision to carry approximately 200 lbs. of firewood. "I have no words for
how stupid I think the design of this vehicle is," Gerber added.

"I think the final straw for us was the multi-camera, interior/exterior
video surveillance system and the three-cubic-foot, floor mounted security
safe," Gerber said. "Let's be serious, it is a small vehicle for weekend
camping...who is going to bring jewelry or stocks for a holiday in the
wilderness?"

Klink's written message retorted, "We (at Westfaliawerk) simply think that
most camping families will see the utility in a large fireproof,
hermetically-sealed, armored floor safe right in the middle of the
vehicle,"

Klink added. "And who knows, you might forget to remove the family jewels
before heading to the country, and THEN WHAT???  And what if there were a
fire; heck, there is a pizza oven, a wood stove, and a gas-fired dryer
within the confines of this vehicle, a fire is not out of the question, you
know,"

Klink's statement added. "...the security cameras make it possible to see
who is OUTSIDE the vehicle, while remaining safe and secure INSIDE," Klink
responded, not stopping to consider that windows allow the same luxury.

"There is some sort of 'disconnect' in the thinking at Westfalia, perhaps
they didn't take this seriously," Gerber said. "VW gave high priority to
this new Vanagon project....our best minds spent a number of years
de-engineering our advanced engine technology to create a fragile,
under-powered motor for this new Camper. The motor had an experimental
crankshaft made of JB Weld and pencil shavings, and the cam rode in special
bearings that required replacement at random, unpredictable intervals. It
would have been fantastic. It is a shame that Westfalia had to ruin what
would have been a passable, unpredictable camping vehicle."

After replacing the motors, Gerber will reportedly keep both prototypes for
his personal use.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Cary, NC     USA
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free