Thank you

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony Polson" <acpolson@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 5:28 AM
Subject: The new "microbus" sucks ... a misunderstanding

> Guys,
>
> There seems to be a grave misunderstanding on the list about the market
> sector the new Microbus will be aimed at.  I hope I can clear that up with
a
> perspective from the European side of the pond.
>
> The new Microbus will replace the current VW Sharan/SEAT Alhambra/Ford
> Galaxy seven-seater "people carriers" that are built in VAG's factory in
> Portugal.  As far as I know, they have never been sold in the USA.  The
new
> Microbus will NOT replace the Eurovan, known here as the T4.
>
> The Eurovan/T4 will also be replaced, by a revised design to be referred
to
> as the T5.  It will be a front wheel drive van with a similar layout and
> powertrain to the Eurovan/T4.  Like the T4, the T5 will be offered as a
> cargo van, a van with windows, a base for a camper, a chassis cab etc...
> The Microbus and the T5 may share some components but they will be
> essentially separate designs.
>
> The Microbus will be purely a "people carrier" - basically a car for up to
> seven passengers with the luxury that European buyers expect in this class
> of car.  The US-made Chrysler Voyager sells strongly in this same market;
> Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy are a little smaller than the Voyager.
>
> Like the current Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy, the Microbus will not be offered
> officially by VW as a base for a camper conversion because it will be too
> small.  You will probably be able to buy a camper-converted Microbus from
a
> specialist conversion firm (just as you can buy a camper-converted
> Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy) but these will be very expensive, very rare and
> inherently compromised as a camper.  Size matters!  Please note, I have
> never actually seen a camper-converted Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy but I have
> seen adverts for them.
>
> So don't worry.  The VW Transporter line is safe.  The latest in the
> succession T2 Split, T2 Bay, T25 Vanagon, T4 Eurovan will be the T5, and
it
> will be a revised T4.
>
> In Europe, the new Microbus will replace the European VW Sharan/SEAT
> Alhambra/Ford Galaxy models that are made in Portugal, but will be made in
> Hannover, Germany.  In North America, the Microbus will be an additional
> model in the VW range, because you've never seen the
Sharan/Alhambra/Galaxy.
>   You didn't miss much!
>
> So the Microbus is emphatically *NOT* a replacement for the Eurovan/T4.
>
> I do hope that this posting clears things up.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Tony
>
> =========================
>
> Original message:
> >Date:    Wed, 12 Jun 2002 15:46:41 EDT
> >From:    JordanVw@AOL.COM
> >Subject: the new "microbus" sucks.. Re: Uh oh, new Bus a go!
> >
> >i think that thing looks horrible.. sorry ass attempt at retro
> >styling.. and its even smaller than the current eurovan..  i certainly
hope
> >they are not going to replace the current EV with the new "microbus" it
> >looks no bigger than a honda passport..
> >and whats up with DVD screens in the back of the seats..who needs that
BS?
> >theres not even a weekender option either, aparently..
>
>
>
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