At 03:21 PM 06/19/2002, Ari Ollikainen wrote:
>        Somehow, the idea that VW is going to flood the market with 120K
>        butt-ugly vehicles beginning in 2004 seems, to me, a bit more than
>        over-the-top stupid. Aside from the cult mythology of the original
>        microbus, WHY do they think there'll be a market for the
>        faux-Microbus here?

Same reason that there's a market for the New Beetle.  They're selling
like hotcakes here in the Pacific Northwest.  It doesn't hurt that VW's
current design generation is considered pretty reliable and well done.

I think that VW may be calling this thing right.  I foresee the large
SUV market winding down a notch in the near future.  If those SUV
drivers get tired of the poor mileage and bulk but want to retain the
high driving position and large usable space, a van like the "new"
bus will be well timed for their purchase.

Cheers.
Rob

              It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
                    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
                     Rob Scott, mailto:rob@unixguy.com
        Langley, Washington on Whidbey Island (a suburb with a moat)