On 11/28/04 11:37 AM, "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:

> Robert,
> 
> Regards any new VW vans --- I will believe it when I see it.
> 
> If VW would bring to America anything with size and utility comparable
> to the Vanagon, and something that makes a unique style statement in the
> process - such as the box shape of the vanagon or that of the early
> microbus, I would really consider buying a new van. But for now, what I
> have - a Vanagon - an 88 GL - is it. Nothing else out there fits the
> bill for me.
> 
> But I don't think the German marketing team has a clue as to the
> potential of the  pent-up market here in the US and Canada. There really
> needs to be a van that fits between the big panel vans of  of the Big
> Three and the Soccer Mom Vans and SUV's that are out there right now. I
> wonder if VW is getting the message at all.
> 
> Regards.,
> 
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver

A recent product audit was done about 9 months ago as part of a VW
restructuring.  Though the reassignment of some of the north american VW and
Audi chiefs is blamed on their comments on a certain luxury vehicle and the
man that pushed it through (who also is no longer the main product chief)
there is a heavy industry belief that the reports are being used in a major
restructuring.  It is to also be noted that the new product chief with
chrysler and mercedes background in europe is also the only on that has
voiced opinions on the phaeton and is still around.  Some of the moves he
has announced are quite aggressive and have scared some people.  How would
you like to be a striking german steel worker and your employer announces
that all jetta variant production is to be moved to the mexican plant with
none left in germany.  VW is in major restructuring right now.  Even in
china. They have set up an "elite"  assembly line made up of their best and
most experienced workers in a test to see if they could produce a passat
that met quality check.  It exceeded and is to be sent to australia.  The
chinese news named the line a "prototyping line".  China is becoming a very
interesting place to watch.  You could hide protypes in that country very
easily.  It is an almost unbelievably massive country  with most of its
population concentrated in about a dozen areas with almost no communications
other than military/police in the unpopulated areas.

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jimt
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Remember that sanity is optional.
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