>> The other thing I would add is that it needs to be less car-like minivan
and more 'sport truck' with some ground clearance like a Vanagon has. And
more square too, like a vanagon and less swoopy like a car.  I realized
that what a vanagon is , is that it's a 'sporty non-quite-truck' and that's
why they can do everything. <<

Whoa, slow down.  ;)  I'm just waiting for them to produce a "van shaped
object" then we can move from there. :)

>> You know..........they have SO MUCH right here within their
grasp.......and they keep just blowing it.  Maybe we CAN get them to listen!
<<

Possibly. There really is allot of new blood at the helm there.  Maybe they
will listen. That was kind of the impression I got on the phone today. I
REALLY expected the brush off and form letter response. This lady really
seemed to have a positive outlook moving forward. She actually was listening
to what I was saying.

I did forget to mention though, she said that she is the one that gets all
the letters from Germany that are forwarded to her from customers here in
the US that want to buy a California. She says there is so much interest in
it and VW needs to listen to their customers.

>> 'price' is not what really drives discerning people, it's VALUE. <<

Agreed but price has some role. I think the reason the last of the Eurovan
campers were slow movers is because they were $40K AND they really were
campers, not daily drivers that you could camp in.  These were not the
family car/camper of old. (though they are really nice). I'm thinking of
more of an MV Weekender type with the popup and fridge but at least some
cabinetry. Heck, drop the DVD players, GPS systems, power windows, etc.
Strip all the crap out for the lower end units.

>> You know..........they have SO MUCH right here within their
grasp.......and they keep just blowing it.  <<

Right. I told her about the Jetta diesel wagon they made years ago and
stopped. I said it was an awesome car and that they are almost selling for
what they cost new on eBay. I said they have a total lack of marketing for
niche vehicles. Soon they will introduce the
http://www.vw.com/jettasportwagen/en/us/ which is AMAZING. 50 mpg station
wagon with vista roof, traction control, etc. I'll bet they never advertise
it and cancel it after a year.

Thanks,
Bryan