Technically no. Practically, yes. In order to meet safety requirements
which usually is covered by crumple zones in the front, which also
happens to conveniently leave a spot that an engine can fit in, car
manufacturers really don't have a tremendous incentive to be creative
in car design with a rear engined vehicle. You can probably name the
manufacturers in one hand that continue to offer a vehicle which
doesn't have the engine up front: Porsche, Lotus, Ferrari,
Lamborghini... are you seeing a trend here?

On Oct 31, 2008, at 1:36 PM, Stuart Jeff wrote:

> Pardon my ignorance but is there anything legally that prevents
> automakers from producing a new rear engine vehicle in the US?
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 10:40:50 AM
> Subject: Re: Mention of the Possible New MicroBus
>
> **  B Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET> wrote: **
>
>>> I did not know that. I knew that VW had "Tuned" the suspension for
>>> a more
>>> European ride but I was not aware that it was completely different.
>
> I guess I'd really have to see one for myself and crawl under it.
> Still a Chrysler product IMHO.  Those Brooke Shields ad's are
> making me ill.  German Engineering.. I want to punch the television
> everytime I see one! :-)
>
>>> Hmmm, I thought VW just put all their $40K versions on the lot.
>
> A sad testament.. the other day.. driving by the local Berge dealer
> in Mesa/Gilbert AZ.  Sales guy is out standing in the lot.. by
> himself,
> next to the new 'Routan'  looked pretty darn lonely!
>
> I should offer to 'rent' them the syncro westy during the week. .. :-)
> They can park it propped up on 2/3 wheels like the GoWesty
> guys do out in front of their shop.
>
> Think about the business it would bring in!?    Only then to
> be disappointed that their only choice is a Chrysler Town and
> County. DOH!
>
> I'm sorry, but I'm not cutting VW any slack on this one.  They
> should have brought the retro microbus back like they originally
> planned, or at least sell the current T5 here stateside, the current
> van is lame.
>
> -tim
>
> 90 syncro westy
> gilbert, az
>
> Blog:    http://www.timschneider.org
> Photos: http://www.flickr.com/honemastert
> Video:  http://www.youtube.com/honemastert
>