They stopped the selling the Phaeton in the US in 2004, but VW never stopped building them.  Top Gear road-tested a TDI Phaeton (with the 3.0 TDI, not the V10) in 2011.

James
Ottawa, ON

> Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 06:25:54 -0500
> From: phishman068@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: necessary vanagon accessory - trenching shovel
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> I don't believe they ever made a tdi phaeton. I believe this engine was developed after they stopped selling the phaeton in 2004. However, this engine did come in quite a few US toreug SUVs. 
> They're pretty non fuel efficient I believe getting surprisingly low mpgs (20?). It can now be found in many audis including the R8. Diesel super car?! Yes please!!!!
> 
> 
> -craig
> 
> On Nov 29, 2013, at 9:06 PM, TonyCollin <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> > I'm missing mine. In one move after  my time in the service the thing went missing. To think that little shovel can build you an adequate fox hole with a little elbow grease added. 
> > 
> > Tony 
> > 
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > 
> >> On Nov 29, 2013, at 11:00 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >> 
> >> I have one of the folding US versions from the vietnam era. Probably the
> >> same as today's. Nice and compact, has spent most of its life in one vw bus
> >> or another. All I had to pay for it was to go through basic training with
> >> it and carry it around for years after that.
> >> 
> >> Jim
> >> 
> >> 
> >> On Thu, Nov 28, 2013 at 11:14 PM, Scott Daniel <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>wrote:
> >> 
> >>> It is a necessary vanagon tool to have for sure.
> >>> 
> >>> I have one like your E. German one , exactly like it. I think it was
> >>> made in Czechoslovakia ( aka The Czech Republic ) .
> >>> I bought it in Oregon in about 1975.  It cost me $ 12.
> >>> 
> >>> I still have it and it works perfectly.
> >>> If you use one enough often they'll crack near the rivets in the blade.
> >>> Mine is welded there.
> >>> I prefer the threaded colar system to lock the handle angle.
> >>> 
> >>> 38 years use for 12 dollars, I think I'm getting good value out of this
> >>> handy nicely made small shove.
> >>> The original varnish on the handle is even in good condition still.
> >>> 
> >>> gotta have one............ for camping, trips to the bushes, getting
> >>> unstuck etc.  in your Vanagon .
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>>> On 11/28/2013 8:04 PM, Alistair Bell wrote:
> >>>> 
> >>>> (You all must have one I�m sure. Maybe you have the modern US army type -
> >>>> you know, with the triangular handle.)
> >>>> 
> >>>> to celebrate the return of the prodigal shovel, I took some picks
> >>>> comparing it with it�s E. German relation.
> >>>> 
> >>>> http://shufti.wordpress.com/2013/11/28/trenching-tools-east-meets-west/
> >>>> 
> >>>> alistair
> >>>