Yes, although it took Honda and Toyota and their nice heaters/defrosters,
roomyness, etc. to persuade VW that the Beetle days were over.  I loved
mine (a '57 with the little turn signals that popped out on the side) but I
really don't want to go back.  Now Vanagons, that's another matter.

c

At 06:07 PM 6/15/01 -0500, andrewbell wrote:
>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