The VW designers would do well to emulate the thinking that has gone into
this open platform concept.
----------------- Clip ------------------------
VW is currently learning that the American Public will buy horsepower at
extremely high prices and the heck with utility or fuel economy.
The competition in the mini van market is about the toughest market to
breach.
VW has since about 2000, whenever they brought out the new Beatles,
discovered that the high performance models outsell the practical smaller
engine variety.
I can remember back in the 50's, VWs were a practical man's car right in
there with American Motors buyers as the practical approach to economical
transportation.
I have noted that many SUV / MPV manufacturers tout massive horsepower as
their main selling point and if VW came out with a 250 - 400 Hp road
racket that only got ten miles to a gallon they'd be right there with the
'Gunna get there before you crowd' that dominates our roads and highways
today.
With enough horsepower to pull travel trailers and boats they'd soon have
market share.
Even with the newest Euro Vans they haven't gone to the possible full
flat floor that most SUV / MPV buyers get with competitive vehicles.
VW has a world wide market not shared by many other US or Asian
competitors so their planning must address the practical fuel usage and
moderate HP standards of many nations.
Then there is my personal take on VW Dealerships and Parts Departments;
Both the Dealerships and Parts departments are about the least friendly
of any and all other dealerships I've ever been to.
I'm sure that there are exceptions to friendliness at various dealerships
but I've yet to find one in the dealerships I've been to in ten states.

Stan Wilder

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