There is a very simple answer as to why they are not imported into the
US: 25% duty on imported commercial vehicles. A result of the "Chicken
Wars"  retaliatory duties of about 1971. Hence the last VW commercials
into the US were 1971 models.
But it was good for Ford and GM. (NOTHING could help chrysler!)
Al Brase

Andrew Grebneff wrote:

>
> Right-on, Tim and Calle. This van IS small, but that suits a lot of
> owners, including lotsa businesses. The US missed out on the VW-sized
> Hiace (similar layout to the Liteace, but more body variants)... ask
> Toyota USA why. For various reasons it's the best van made anywhere,
> and almost anywhere outside northern North America is present in
> large numbers.
>