Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 12:26:42 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
In-Reply-To: <000001d02d12$143986c0$3cac9440$@net>
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Remember, Britain is still on the pound, not the Euro. $1.50 to 1 British
pound. I haven't been able to sort out Euro prices in Europe since there
are so many different taxes. I think this British price list gives a pretty
good estimate of the retail price before any taxes.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Reynaert [mailto:jack007@comcast.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 12:15 PM
To: 'Stuart MacMillan'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
Better link...
http://tinyurl.com/pe6cbzg
Thanks for sharing this!
Jack R.
The Euro is currently 1.18 so USD is only 18% mark-up. We recover or don't
pay VAT either!
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 2:59 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
I’m not sure what you are looking at, but I’m looking at the British price
list for the California SE camper and the Beach (Weekender) version, not
minivans:
https://www.volkswagenvans.co.uk/media/1308863/1411_california_price_list.pd
f
There are several versions of the California SE (full camper) from MSRP of
£38,250 ($57,375) to £43,975 ($65,962) for the 4Motion turbo diesel (price
before the British 20% VAT) that everyone here would want. Add tariffs,
shipping, and dealer markup. I also have to pay 10% sales tax in Seattle.
It would likely be well over $80k here.
I know there are plenty of diesel fans on this list, but the base diesel is
only 140hp, and the turbo diesel is 180hp. The early VR-6 EV was 160hp, and
the late model was 201hp. I can tell you personally that 160hp was not
really enough for the Eurovan camper, but it was adequate, especially after
driving a Vanagon. I don’t think the 140hp version would be acceptable to
American drivers though.
Bigger problem is to qualify it for the US Market. Some factory production
changes would be needed, but the expensive part is crash testing hundreds of
thousands of dollars’ worth of vehicles to prove they are safe. Not gonna
happen!
After exploring all the modern options, I’m back to Vanagons forever!
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
James
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2015 7:23 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Asking VW about plans for a new microbus
> >
> > When the Euro hits parity with the dollar (and it may soon, or even
> > go below, given the dire straits of the EU economy), VW could look
> > at exporting the California camper van, but it would likely still be
> > too expensive, and Americans want BIG, just look at the conversions
> > Road Trek and Sportsmobile do today. How many would buy a
> > California for $70k+ when you can get a used RV for less, or a new
> > Class
B conversion for $100k?
> >
> > Stuart
> >
I'm not sure how a California Trendline that costs EUR 38 700 in France
before taxes becomes a $70 000 vehicle in the USA? The exchange rate on the
Euro is about 20% at the moment - that makes a California about $45 000, or
the price of a nicely loaded Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. Yes, you can a
lot of options, but the pricing's not as far 'out there' as you'd think.
Of course, you could option it up - Comfortline, 4motion - but that's true
of other vehicles too.
James
Ottawa, ON
=
