[benares]

Sure, the Eurovan isn't the bread and butter of VW. But it's sales have been gaining. Take a look at this: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/48572/article.html
Seems Mercedes can put a Diesel in a Van, why can't VW do the same with the Eurovan???

 

[PerL]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (benares)

Have you seen the size of that thing compared to a EV? The Sprinter (and similar VW LT) is quite bigger than the EV and more sized like a full size van (even though more practical than the US vans) These cars are extremely popular here, both as vans and buses. just in this small town, there are 8 yellow sprinters running as "Maxi Taxis" with seating for 15 passengers. VEry popular when parties of more than 4 people are going downtown to the clubs after warming up the party at home. A lot cheaper than two or three regular taxis.

 

[O[email protected]]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (benares)

The Sprinter will be used primarily for commercial purposes, while the Eurovan is aimed at regular consumers. That's why it has a diesel. Although, VW did offer a cargo version of the Eurovan in Canada for several years with a diesel engine that sold quite well. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[benares]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (CanuckPal)

You WILL be able to buy one at your local Chrysler dealer

 

[A4Jetta]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (benares)

Its more of a Mercedes sold at Chrysler dealer.

 

[Guest]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (benares)

quote:[HR][/HR]You WILL be able to buy one at your local Chrysler dealer[HR][/HR]​

True, but it serves as a replacement for the ancient Ram Van. The EuroVan serves as VW's answer to the Chrysler minivans and the Honda Odessey.

 

[SpeedRicer]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (bgluckman)

Exactly, most of them sold will be for commercial use anyways, so I don't think that it will damage EuroVan sales.
However, they are coming out with a Capt. Cook adventure/campervan package or something that may eat into EuroVan sales.

 

[Taimar2]

In case you've never seen one, the Sprinter is a serious truck.
You could probably fit a Eurovan inside a high-top Sprinter.
These are big vehicles, much larger than they look in pictures and comparable in size to a Grumman/Chevrolet Step Van - the kind you usually see delivering bread or FEDEX packages.
The Sprinter and EV don't overlap at all in terms of target markets, and I can't see a Eurovan buyer going for something as monolithic as a Sprinter. Nor can I see a Sprinter buyer going for something as self-consciously aimed at Minivan buyers as the EV.
At the very least, the Sprinter is (thankfully) less ugly than the Renault Master.
On another note, if VW really wanted to sell minivans, they'd bring over the Sharan. If they wanted to increase volume, they'd bring the Polo. Nobody appears to be steering the ship at VWoA's product department.


[Modified by Taimar2, 4:53 PM 2-11-2002]

 

[David Votoupal]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (Taimar2)

At least in NA, the Eurovan (aka Caravelle to everyone else) seems to exist in a unique market position- a utilitarian minivan smaller than the Big Three's commercial minivans but still big enough for 8 and their luggage. Overseas it's a different case as most European and Japanese companies produce utilitarian minivans. Yes, the Sprinter is conceptually similar but it's a good deal bigger and VW's LT vans are more of a logical competitor for the Sprinter.

 

[PerL]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (Taimar2)

quote:[HR][/HR]On another note, if VW really wanted to sell minivans, they'd bring over the Sharan.
[HR][/HR]​

The Sharan is developed and built in a joint venture with Ford of Europe, and because of this it is not entirely VWs decision to bring the Sharan to USA. Understandably, Ford does not want this.

 

[Thumposaurus]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (PerL)

quote:[HR][/HR]On another note, if VW really wanted to sell minivans, they'd bring over the Sharan.
The Sharan is developed and built in a joint venture with Ford of Europe, and because of this it is not entirely VWs decision to bring the Sharan to USA. Understandably, Ford does not want this.[HR][/HR]​

I never heard that before but it does make sense the Sharan looks very similar to a Windstar, but If I had money and had to buy a new van I would be leaning heavily towards a Eurovan, especially if it was a camper.

 

[A4Jetta]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (Thumposaurus)

Sharan shares the platform with the Galaxy, not the Windnoise.

Windstar is a larger minivan than Galaxy, Galaxy's size is similar to original Odyssey.

 

[SpeedRicer]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (A4Jetta)

Ford could bring over the Galaxy and Mondeo as Mercury-badged vehicles. It would help to revive Mercury's image as the "sporty" brand of Ford.
Although with the existence of "zoom-zoom" Mazda, and the failure of the Contour, I dunno if they'll do it.

 

[l5gcw0b]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (bgluckman)

quote:[HR][/HR] The EuroVan serves as VW's answer to the Chrysler minivans and the Honda Odessey.[HR][/HR]​

And I thought the Eurovan was the replacement for the Vanagon, which replaced the Transporter, which replaced the original
"minivan" , the VW Bus.

 

[A4Jetta]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (SpeedRicerDX)

With the introduction of the Mazda 6 soon, I doubt we will see Mondeo as a Mercury since the market positioning is too close. Both Ford and Mazda know 6 will be another hit after Protege, so Mondeo is more of a ??? instead of reality.

 

[boostn]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (A4Jetta)

Why is everyone so worried about VW losing market share? Last time I checked comptetiion is what you want. I want a large selection of cars to choose from. It forces manufacturers to produce better, more reliable, and more interesting cars in their attempt to catch more sales. Doesnt sound bad to me.

 

[Sharpix]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (boostn)

In fact the eurovan is not quite well suited for american tastes, so VW is not losing on this, well not losing market share but left lots of potential buyers.
Look at the wheels of the Mercedes Van and are exactly truck wheels, and they look small!!!

 

[lip]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (benares)

I'd rather have a Ford Econoline with the PowerStroke.
It's better in almost every respect. If you need the utility and you are driving around a big van, you want towing ablility, utility, and toughness The key here is chassis, engine, and of course endurance.
While the Euros make a decent van, they don't really compete with Ford. I think the Econoline is the only vehicle Ford makes for which there is and has never been any substitute. Hence the sales #s
In addition you can order up an E250-Payload ='s the weight of the VW
The E350
E450
E550
Now you know why most Ambulences are Fords. And why most cutaways are Fords.
The wheels on the Benz are pinner-=and

quote:[HR][/HR]Powered by a 154-horsepower five-cylinder inline turbocharged diesel engine, which makes 243-pound feet of torque[HR][/HR]​

That thing can't get out of it's way.

Check out the wheels on the E550
http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_027933

We have had a couple of these versions. The Econline and Club Wagon, my first car was a 83 Club Wagon E250 with a 460 4barrel. That thing would tow a 6000lb trailer with ease. Huge Brakes too.
The newer Diesel models are torquey. And if you look on the road, you'll see old early 70s models still going to work everyday.
Like I said the only Ford worth a damn anymore.



[Modified by lip, 5:00 PM 2-12-2002]

 

[secretwatersTTurbo]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (benares)

its not bread nor butter but nonetheless something big driveable....

 

[l5gcw0b]

Re: Another vehicle to eat away at VW's market share... (lip)

The interior of the Sprinter is designed to a much higher level than any "US" van, I like the 6ft of headroom.

plus once they offer Dodge V8's (presently only 5-cylender MB turbodiesel) it will be more viable alternative.

[Modified by l5gcw0b, 5:03 PM 2-12-2002]

[Modified by l5gcw0b, 1:43 AM 2-13-2002]


[Modified by l5gcw0b, 1:45 AM 2-13-2002]