Date:         Fri, 24 Dec 1999 03:37:23 +0100
Reply-To:     Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Subject:      Re: [ev_update] VW to replace my Eurovan
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Stuart MacMillan wrote:

> You are basically correct.  All foreign manufacturers began selling cars
> in the US by setting up distribution centers, since US franchise laws
> prohibit direct manufacturer to consumer new vehicle sales.  Foreign
> manufacturers can only enter our market by selling franchises to
> independent dealers, hence the need for distribution facilities.

Is this also the reason why you (the north American market) got so many
cooky names for the different VW models?

I give examples:
Vanagon = Transporter and Caravelle T3
Eurovan = Transporter and Caravelle T4
Rabbit = Golf A1
Dasher = Passat B1
Quantum = Passat B2
Superbeetle =1302 and 1303
Fastback = 1600 TL
Squareback = 1600 Variant (Variant is VWs designation for a wagon, just like
Audis Avant. Even Golfs and Passats are called Variant when the wagon model
is described)
Audi Fox = Audi 80 B1
Audi 4000 = Audi 80 & 90, B2
Audi 5000 = Audi 100 & 200, C2 & C3

Sometimes, we got the cooky names,
Vento = Jetta A3
Bora = Jetta A4

Why they ever dropped the Jetta name here, when it first was established has
always made me wonder...

Seasons greetings,

PerL
87 Syncro 112i