> Both US and Asian automakers are working on downsizing Mini Vans and cars.

We get both Kia and Hundai - Korean cars - and they both make cars to
compete with the biggest Mercedes, BMW and - Lexus :-)

> The SUV - MPV is going to be a dead animal with continued higher fuel
prices.

Don�t bet on that one ! One swedish motor journalist predicted the MPV / SUV
and everything 4X4 as being "the last of the dying dinosaurs" 6 or 7 years
ago and they are the fastest growing part on the market right now
With a Swedish gas price of app. $ 5.30 US a gallon !!

And about every carmaker have them now, even if I never would have dreamed
of seing a (branded) Cadillac truck or Porsche SUV!

Then again, Lamborghini had a "Hummer" back in the early eighties - LM 002
with a 450 hp V12 engine

But I�m not missing the Microbus concept, the Vanagon is good enough to last
another decade !
Should it break down beyond repairability VW has the T4 and LT line which
are good substitutes even if they never will have the personality or daily
driver ability of the Vanagon since they feel too much as if driving a truck
!

Calle
-88 Vanagon
Mullhyttan, Sweden