It only took them 25 years to figure out that the Beetle most profitable,
successfully selling vehicle, that had endeared its self into the hearts of
everyone, everywhere.

The Vanagon? The're done with it, I'm afraid, but the concept live on.

AB

Charles McGehee wrote:

> At 10:34 AM 6/15/01 -0500, Terry Kay wrote:
> >Now here's a simple question----
> >Why do you think, that buy offering an engine update kit for the
> >Vanagon, that VW would jeopardize the Eurovan?
> >
> >Bwa, Ha, Ha, Ha , Ha, Ha !!
> >( PIMP )
> >
> >I highly doubt it !!
> >
> >   ______________
> >  |[  ] [  ] [ ]\
> >  |    |    |    |
> >||-(())----(())-|
> >
> >
> >Terry
> >74 Campmobile (Clementine)
> >85 GL
> >86 BMW 325 ES
>
> Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't.  If VW thought there were a nitch, they
> would probably exploit it.  But it's expensive offering a new line, even of
> engine conversions.  They would have to offer service over an extended
> network, which means technical training, parts, warranty, etc.  All those
> resources would have to be shifted from other activities, such as
> the  Eurovan.  VW's misjudged markets before such as when they ended the
> Vanagon line and started with the first Eurovans which fell on their
> faces.  They had to spend a lot of money making up for their misjudgement
> of the market.
>
> Further, replacement parts pricing policy follows a similar logic.  High
> prices will be paid by people who own new, valuable cars.   And since older
> cars compete in the market with newer cars, it is hoped that people owning
> older cars  will be less likely to pay the high prices and will be
> encouraged to buy newer cars.  That, of course, creates an after market to
> cater to the likes of us who don't give up easily.  A kit to keep an old
> Vanagon going even longer isn't likely to be high on their list of
> important things to do.  But, as said, they've been wrong before.
>
> Charles
> '85 Westy