VW was in discussions with Abu Dhabi for moving an entire parts mfr plant to
that country if union talks hadnt gone through and investment problems
werent cleared up.  VW has announced that this is probably the last model
year for the Jetta variants to be made in germany with all production going
to mexico.  So even europe will be getting its jetta variants with made in
mexico all over them.  From a vw statement on the move it seems that the
european made jetta variants already had about 30 percent of parts made in
mexico.

Hella now has plants in over 30 countries. Two in china one in brazil
Bosch has plants in over 50 countries   with Locations: Beijing, Guangzhou,
Chuzhou, Hangzhou, Hongkong, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shunde, Suzhou, Wujin, Xian
in china.  And about 8 locations in brazil.

VW itself has production plants in almost 20 countries that it doesn�t make
vehicles in.

The only thing I am wondering is when we will be seeing "assembled on earth
moon" or "assembled/mfr on Mars" on our parts.  As long as they work I am
not real picky.

����������������������������������������
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com

On 11/16/04 10:59 AM, "Jim Thompson" <jim@KARMANNGHIA.COM> wrote:

> I'll second what Ken has to say regarding the source of replacement parts
> for our beloved Vanagons, much less other VW models.  Every day brings news
> to my working in purchasing that this item or that item is either no longer
> available or Volkswagen (and/or their manufacturing supplier) has shifted
> production of what's still available to a 3rd or 4th world country.  Face
> facts - because of costs, much of what you need to fix your Beetle, Bus,
> Ghia, Vanagon, Eurovan, etc., will be made in some places some people would
> never dream these items will be made.  And a lot of it is pretty darn good
> quality.  But the words "caveat emptor" still applies.
> 
> A co-worker just recently obtained a set of Hella E-Code Headlights for his
> TDI Passat with the components made in two locations, to wit:  Plastic
> Bulbholder/Reflector Housing made in China (w/German/English/Chinese
> Characters on the Hella stickers) and the lenses (still amazingly enough)
> made in Germany and then assembled/boxed in China.
> 
> Old German-made inventory has been drying up for a while and it will be gone
> before you know it.  It's called progress (and in some cases, a lack
> thereof).
> 
> Jim Thompson
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
> jim@karmannghia.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> ***********************
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ken Wilford" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 5:47 AM
> Subject: Re: fuel line kits
> 
> 
> <SNIP>
>> Sometimes the best quality part out there comes from Turkey or Brazil or
>> Poland or England or France.  I hate to tell you this but each of these
>> countries I just mentioned are suppliers for VW and I have seen these
>> country names actually engraved, raised, or imprinted on VW parts from
>> the dealer.  One lady got upset with me a couple of weeks ago because
>> some of the coolant hoses for her 1.9l Automatic came from Turkey
>> instead of Germany.  They were VW!  There is no other source for them.
>> She should be happy they can still be had at all.
>> 
>> Hope this clears things up for you a bit.
>> 
>> Ken Wilford
>> www.vanagain.com
>> John 3:16
>> 
>> THX0001@aol.com wrote: