Further proof that VW is simply missing the boat. Pretty soon, Chrysler
will be turning out a SWEET Dodge Ram van with a pop top, room for 6 to
sleep, furnace, water, etc. and VW will be sitting with their bottom lip
poked out, sayin', "wha-happen'd?"

G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

-----Original Message-----
From:   Steve [SMTP:sxs@concentric.net]
Sent:   Wednesday, November 24, 1999 6:08 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        DaimlerChrysler Bought Westfalia Stake?

http://www.daimlerchrysler.de/index_e.htm?/news/top/t90510_e.htm

DaimlerChrysler to Acquire Stake in Westfalia
 Werke's Vehicle Customization Business

 Stuttgart, May 10, 1999

 DaimlerChrysler has announced plans to purchase a 49
percent
 stake in the vehicle customization business of
Westfalia Werke
 GmbH & Co, Rheda-Wiedenbruck, Germany.

 A memorandum of understanding between the two
companies
 has already been signed. The the purchase will take
effect on
 Oct.1 and Westfalia Werke GmbH will continue to
operate as an
 independent, medium-sized firm after the deal goes
through.

 Westfalia Werke GmbH & Co has an excellent reputation
 throughout Germany, the U.S. and Japan. The company is
 well-known for its customization of recreational
vehicles and for its
 vehicle coupling and trailer divisions, which will
continue to be run
 independently.

 DaimlerChrysler's participation in Westfalia Werke
reflects the
 company's commitment to satisfying the increasing
demand of
 individual customers for customization of vans and
recreational
 vehicles.

 "The ability to meet individual customer requirements
and provide
 customized accessories is an important determinant of
success
 for automobile manufacturers today," explained Dr.
Rolf Bartke,
 director of DaimlerChrysler's Vans Europe business
unit.

 DaimlerChrysler's acquisition of a part of Westfalia
Werke is a
 step toward satisfying the growing demand for
so-called vehicle
 system packages. What this means is that customers -
if they so
 desire - can obtain complete service from one
provider. This
 service begins with the purchase of the new vehicle
and
 encompasses everything from maintenance and service
packages
 to spare parts supply, financing and used car
trade-in.

 Daimler Chrysler and Westfalia already work together
on
 customization of the Vito F, Vito Marco Polo and
Sprinter James
 Coock vehicles. DaimlerChrysler's 49 percent stake
will solidify
 Westfalia's financial and technical base and create
favorable
 conditions for successful business expansion.

News

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