No VW Bus For North America

[Perian]

Source: Reuters News Service

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Reuters / March 10, 2005

HANOVER, Germany -- Volkswagen AG has dropped plans to roll out a North American successor to its famous bus, the classic hippie-mobile that drew a cult following and sparked countless road trips.

Instead Europe's biggest carmaker will target the European market with a new version of the Microbus based on its T5 transport van, Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder told a news conference on Thursday.

VW had originally intended to make a new bus for the North American market, but dropped this idea given a tougher economic environment and a stronger euro than when the plan was first hatched, he said.

The new Microbus, closed-roof versions of its T5 transporter and a new "robust pickup" truck will all be made at VW's Hanover plant to use up more of the German factory's capacity and secure 15,000 jobs there through 2011.

But abandoning the project to export a new bus to North America means VW will not add the 1,500 extra jobs it envisioned when it said in 2002 the Hanover plant would make the vehicle. Talks with labor representatives on this point would follow in late 2006.

VW will also develop a new people carrier based on its existing Multivan model featuring luxury touches.

Pischetsrieder said the new pickup would be developed and built in Hanover. It could also be made at a later date in Abu Dhabi and Brazil for regional markets. He envisioned making around 30,000 units eventually for each of the three regions.

[Rex Raider]

No great loss. There are tons of already overpriced minivans on the market.
The hippy 60's van isn't making a comeback any time soon. VW doesn't need a minivan in North America.

[paul8488]

Ah I dunno... there are lots of minivans, but none are as cool as a MicroBus could be! Sounds like a sound business case not to build one for North America, but I still think, in an ideal world, it'd be very cool.

[SUPERBADD75]

i already heard it's not going to happen. it was a neat concept, but as Rex said, the minivan market is already too overcrowded, and the 60's-chic design of the Beetle is wearing thin, so why try to redo the Microbus? sales are slumping at VW, they have bigger fish to fry than a minivan reminiscent of better times for the brand.

[MelvinJ]

It's a shame that they couldn't have brought this out 4-5 years ago when the New Beetle was still huge. But unless they could get some North American production facilities, I can see how it would be hard to price it competitively in the U.S.

[gmsickofan]

Noooooo! JK - I'll live.

The company that makes restoration parts for VW old buses is happy today.

[Taycron]

I wanted to see them here to spice up the boring vans we have now..

[mk1700]

What a shame! this is the only van that GM can claim thats inferior of the Venture-Uplander! LOl

[SUPERBADD75]

Originally Posted by gmsickofan

Noooooo! JK - I'll live.

The company that makes restoration parts for VW old buses is happy today.

that's WEST COAST METRIC.... and i'm sure that loyal Bus fans wouldn't drop their rides to jump on the new one.there aren't too many air-cooled VW fans jumping ship for New Beetles.

[SSrevolution]

Awwwww, now VW really screwed themselves because now they don't have a vehicle for the psychadelic van market. (Im joking)

[vdoh182]

who cares it was a piece, same thing as a scion so its just to much competition.

[Canuck]

I am no fan of VW but I wish the Microbus made a comeback. Distinctive styling and something just different on the market is could be a good thing.
I am not surprised about no to exporting the 'bus' to the US but Canada and Mexico might be a good fit for a small van.

[rickhunter1max]

any pic's of this thing

[Driveshaft]

It's a dying segment, just like Saab.

[casket_demon]

Thank goodness, there isn't anymore room 4 another uninspired crap wagon roaming the streets.