>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.

That sucks big time for everyone there (excepting Frod & Gangrenal
Mortars... it would have killed their market).
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut