In a message dated 98-04-23 10:34:37 EDT, KENWILFY@AOL.COM writes:

<< I have often wondered about why VW doesn't really advertise thier product
in
 the US.  Here is what I have gleaned on the subject.
 VW is the 4th (or maybe its the third now) largest vehicle manufacturer on
the
 planet.  They are number one in Europe, China, South America (I think), and a
 couple other places.  They are basically selling all the cars they produce at
 the moment.  I read an article that the new Passat is backordered two months
 in Europe, Jettas are selling like crazy, the New Beetle is backordered.
 Since they are selling everything they produce and are backordered, why
should
 they spend money to advertise vehicles that are already sold?  They are
 continually expanding and some day soon, perhaps, they will be able to focus
 on the American market again (when they have a surplus of vehicles).  I have
 heard the President of VW say that they have a goal of being number 1 in the
 US but I think it is really long term.  So even though it looks like VW is
 asleep at the switch here in the States they really were building up thier
 other market places so that when they focus back on US again I think it will
 be with a vengance.  I would not be surprised to see them number 1 in the
 world within the next 20 years.
 That's my 2cents on the subject.
 Ken Wilford
 John 3:16
 PS our local dealer never advertises at all and he sells VWs like crazy and
 this is Southern New Jersey where it used to be rare to see VWs.  Now I can
 count 20 new Jettas in a 30 min drive around the area.

  >> Out of the 20 new Jettas that you saw in 30 minutes,,,, 19 of them have
their CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.