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If I read this i would say those are exactly the vehicles they want to
stay away from. Don't do edgy, edgy is niche, we want bland
indistinguishable mass market.
So we will get more of the usual suspects.
Jetta and Passat - more Jetta and more Passat.


Florian

03 MVWK
02 Passat Wagon (the pre phaeton delusion one that actually looked
decent and was affordable).



--- In ev_update@..., "Ron" <robicare5@> wrote:

Mike - You probably have some of the new lineup figured out. I

sure hope they do bring

out something "edgy" and green and throw in a good dose of space

efficiency since that is

what appeals to me. I grew up with the trend setting Rabbit/

platform and graduated to

the Jetta / Golf TDis and EuroVans so these are the vehicles that

spell VW for me.

Ron



--- In ev_update@..., Mike McCarthy <mccarthy_mg@> wrote:

VW wants to break out of their traditional markets.......what were
those, anyway?

1 -- Obviously, the Bug and to a lesser extent the Rabbit/Golf. That
market is quite dead, imo. VW will keep the Bug, but the minimalist
economy car is history. Modern economy cars are going to be high

tech,

and we'll see if VW makes a move there or not. I bet they will.

2 -- The pocket rocket: the Scirocco, the GTI. Rumors are that the
Scirocco is coming back; some websites claim to have pages from

the new

brochure....we'll see. Boy racers drive Japanese cars these days,

and

have for quite a while, and it will take a generational change for
German cars to be cool again. BMW was going to revive the 2002 (in
2002, naturally) but they decided not to, and probably wisely. There
just aren't enough young guys into cars these days.

3 -- The unique van: the camper van, the multi-van, the
van-like-no-other-van. I've said enough about that -- it's a too

small

niche; VW has left it, and they aren't coming back.

So, what will they do? What will their 5 models be?

The "German sedan." The Jetta, the Passat. Where can VW go with
those? Make them any nicer and they cannibalize Audis. Will VW keep
trying to attract the high end buyer. Maybe. I bet one or two of

the

"5 new models" is going to be a very different sedan (er, limo).

We've already seen their SUV and their Chrysler van.....

What's left? Maybe a compact Toureg (Rav4-ish)? Maybe a TDI

pickup? A

new Scirocco? Something edgy and "green"?



Ron wrote:

The only thing I like about the new plan in ESP across the line.

IMHO,

five new models alon
the lines of what they have been putting out is not what will turn
things around for VW in
the US. Instead I believe they need to focus on getting back to

their

core strength which
used to be delivering unique, high quality, high efficiency,
moderately priced vehicles that
offer safety and engineering features competitors either lack or

are

impossible to order
(like a EuroVan T5 clean diesel in 6 speed manual or automatic and
side curtain airbags
std!). They also need to be quicker at bringing in unique

engineering

features to the US
and stay on track to continuosuly develop them. For example, the

TDI

was a big
opportunity that they managed to let slip away in the US. They were
ahead of everyone
else and should have continuously improved the engine and added

it to

all models. An
incrementally cleaner engine should have come out a few years

ago and

the latest cleaner
diesel should have been waiting and ready to launch the moment the
correct diesel fuel
became available. Instead, VW finds itself without any high

efficiency

TDIs models in a
year when fuel efficiency would be a big sales advantage.

Of course, along with a unique product they need highly trained
dealerships that know
how to keep customers satisfied and coming back. Not easy to do but
this becomes less
of an issue when product quality improves.

Of course I hope I am wrong and VW can find a way to survive in

the US

market. If not, I'll
need to make sure I can get a spare tranny for my 2003 EuroVan and
that CD manual so
it is sure to last me a long time.
Ron

--- In ev_update@...

<mailto:ev_update%40yahoogroups.com>,

"Mike McCarthy" <mccarthy_mg@> wrote:

Phil LeBeau (CNBC's excellent auto reporter) just had an exclusive
interview with VW North America's CEO Stefan Jacoby (an
English-speaking German who uses the word "limo" when

referring what

Americans call sedans).
VW's sales in the US are down 16.7% over the 2003-05 period, and
Jacoby plans to reverse that slide by introducing
5 new models as part of their plan to "break out of traditional VW
markets" and instead focus on "limos, SUVs and cross-overs."

Jacoby also said that VW will make ESP standard in all models

(and be

the first in US to do so).

3) GENEVA — Volkswagen has introduced a Golf TDI Hybrid concept at the
2008 Geneva Auto Show. VW says the concept returns 69 mpg but emits less
than 90 g/km of CO2, making it one of the most eco-friendly solutions to
the twin issues of energy conservation and pollution reduction.

The Golf TDI Hybrid looks fully finished and virtually showroom-ready.
VW says the car "is currently a concept vehicle, but a version is likely
to go into production in the future."

In addition to a 27-horsepower electric motor, the key ingredients are
VW's new seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and a 1.2-liter
three-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel rated at 74 hp and 132 pound-feet
of torque. The electric motor, which makes 103 lb-ft, can power the car
on its own at low speeds, and replaces the conventional starter motor
and alternator.

The Golf TDI Hybrid stores energy in a nickel metal hydride battery
pack. In addition, the diesel engine is equipped with a stop/start
system that can shut the engine down at idle to conserve fuel.

What this means to you: We're still waiting for a diesel-hybrid response
from Detroit — but it probably isn't going to happen. — Paul Lienert,
Correspondent

VW wants to break out of their traditional markets.......what were
those, anyway?

1 -- Obviously, the Bug and to a lesser extent the Rabbit/Golf. That
market is quite dead, imo. VW will keep the Bug, but the minimalist
economy car is history. Modern economy cars are going to be high tech,
and we'll see if VW makes a move there or not. I bet they will.

2 -- The pocket rocket: the Scirocco, the GTI. Rumors are that the
Scirocco is coming back; some websites claim to have pages from the new
brochure....we'll see. Boy racers drive Japanese cars these days, and
have for quite a while, and it will take a generational change for
German cars to be cool again. BMW was going to revive the 2002 (in
2002, naturally) but they decided not to, and probably wisely. There
just aren't enough young guys into cars these days.

3 -- The unique van: the camper van, the multi-van, the
van-like-no-other-van. I've said enough about that -- it's a too small
niche; VW has left it, and they aren't coming back.

So, what will they do? What will their 5 models be?

The "German sedan." The Jetta, the Passat. Where can VW go with
those? Make them any nicer and they cannibalize Audis. Will VW keep
trying to attract the high end buyer. Maybe. I bet one or two of the
"5 new models" is going to be a very different sedan (er, limo).

We've already seen their SUV and their Chrysler van.....

What's left? Maybe a compact Toureg (Rav4-ish)? Maybe a TDI pickup? A
new Scirocco? Something edgy and "green"?



Ron wrote:

The only thing I like about the new plan in ESP across the line. IMHO,
five new models alon
the lines of what they have been putting out is not what will turn
things around for VW in
the US. Instead I believe they need to focus on getting back to their
core strength which
used to be delivering unique, high quality, high efficiency,
moderately priced vehicles that
offer safety and engineering features competitors either lack or are
impossible to order
(like a EuroVan T5 clean diesel in 6 speed manual or automatic and
side curtain airbags
std!). They also need to be quicker at bringing in unique engineering
features to the US
and stay on track to continuosuly develop them. For example, the TDI
was a big
opportunity that they managed to let slip away in the US. They were
ahead of everyone
else and should have continuously improved the engine and added it to
all models. An
incrementally cleaner engine should have come out a few years ago and
the latest cleaner
diesel should have been waiting and ready to launch the moment the
correct diesel fuel
became available. Instead, VW finds itself without any high efficiency
TDIs models in a
year when fuel efficiency would be a big sales advantage.

Of course, along with a unique product they need highly trained
dealerships that know
how to keep customers satisfied and coming back. Not easy to do but
this becomes less
of an issue when product quality improves.

Of course I hope I am wrong and VW can find a way to survive in the US
market. If not, I'll
need to make sure I can get a spare tranny for my 2003 EuroVan and
that CD manual so
it is sure to last me a long time.
Ron

--- In ev_update@... <mailto:ev_update%40yahoogroups.com>,
"Mike McCarthy" <mccarthy_mg@> wrote:

Phil LeBeau (CNBC's excellent auto reporter) just had an exclusive
interview with VW North America's CEO Stefan Jacoby (an
English-speaking German who uses the word "limo" when referring what
Americans call sedans).
VW's sales in the US are down 16.7% over the 2003-05 period, and
Jacoby plans to reverse that slide by introducing
5 new models as part of their plan to "break out of traditional VW
markets" and instead focus on "limos, SUVs and cross-overs."

Jacoby also said that VW will make ESP standard in all models (and be
the first in US to do so).

Hello All, again.....
I posted the below question a few days ago and only got one response.........????

Does this mean no one has had their Bilstein's fail??

(I know there have been some failures on this list but the failure was from bent shafts resulting from improper installation )

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC



In a message dated 03/05/08 09:50:03 Central Standard Time, kgkirkley writes:
Hello All:

What is the expected life of Bilstein shocks?

I think they are said to be guaranteed for 'life', but what does that mean?

I put the heavy duty Bilstein's on my '97EVC at about 40,000 miles.
I now have 105,000 miles.
As far as I can tell, by vehicle handling and testing the shocks by
'bouncing' the four corners up and down, they are still doing their job.

However, I had the Michelin Agilis 51 tires (about 45k miles) rotated and
when the rears were put on the front, a roar was heard at about 30mph and felt
rough. Discount Tires said they were cupped and there wasn't any danger and that
worn out shocks were the usual cause of the cupping.

I've had two Vanagons putting on several hundred thousand miles on numerous
sets of tires (stock and KYB shocks) and two sets on the EVC and never
experienced cupping before. I usually rotate tires at around 5000 miles, but this last
time I did let it go 9,000 miles which was almost all highway.

Could the Bilstein's be bad?

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC





To unsubscribe from this group, send a message to
mailto:ev_update-unsubscribe@...

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Hello All, again.....
I posted the below question a few days ago and only got one response.........????

Does this mean no one has had their Bilstein's fail??

(I know there have been some failures on this list but the failure was from bent shafts resulting from improper installation )

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC

In a message dated 03/05/08 09:50:03 Central Standard Time, kgkirkley writes:
Hello All:

What is the expected life of Bilstein shocks?

I think they are said to be guaranteed for 'life', but what does that mean?

I put the heavy duty Bilstein's on my '97EVC at about 40,000 miles.
I now have 105,000 miles.
As far as I can tell, by vehicle handling and testing the shocks by
'bouncing' the four corners up and down, they are still doing their job.

However, I had the Michelin Agilis 51 tires (about 45k miles) rotated and
when the rears were put on the front, a roar was heard at about 30mph and felt
rough. Discount Tires said they were cupped and there wasn't any danger and that
worn out shocks were the usual cause of the cupping.

I've had two Vanagons putting on several hundred thousand miles on numerous
sets of tires (stock and KYB shocks) and two sets on the EVC and never
experienced cupping before. I usually rotate tires at around 5000 miles, but this last
time I did let it go 9,000 miles which was almost all highway.

Could the Bilstein's be bad?

Kent Kirkley
'97EVC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Hart" <leeahart@...

<mailto:leeahart%40earthlink.net>>

To: <ev_update@... <mailto:ev_update%40yahoogroups.com>>
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 10:37 AM
Subject: Re: [ev_update] Muffler..er Wheel bearings?

snip... ...I made them give me the cracked pan, I took it to a

welder, he

fixed the crack, and they put it back on my van.

Seems to me like this is just a good example of prudent environmental
conservatism.

aka - Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without! ;>)

Eating Crow is probably no one's favorite thing to do and yet if
prepared properly and served in the correct manner it can be an
interesting dish and a satisfying one as well. I have had the
opportunity recently to partake in this culinary experience and
thought I'd share some of the words I'll be choking down on the
chance you may find it amusing or informative.

On the Menu:
About a week ago we had a lively discussion going about the way in
the Norcold 3163 functioned (or malfunctioned) in propane mode.
Richard said that "electricity from the thermocouple keeps the gas
valve open." Being a test engineer trained in instrumentation, data
acquisition and all kinds of fun things electronic and mechanical I
thought I knew a thing or two about this matter. I decided to weigh
in.

Appetizer:
I had been taught that thermocouples were very low voltage devices
that required special circuits to make them of any use. In 25 years
of working with thermocouples I had never knowingly seen one used in
any other way.
Back when, the time came to fix my oven, I headed down to the
appliance parts center with the pilot flame detector in hand. The
guy behind the counter said you need a thermocouple. Knowing what I
knew then, I thought to myself "Uh-huh, so that's what you guys call
them here - OK! " I bought the part, got my oven working and let it
go at that. Later I needed to replace the sensor for my oven's
thermostat. That was an expanding fluid type device. Yet, again the
man behind the counter said. "You need a thermocouple." I bought the
part, got my oven working and let it go at that.
Usually I like to do my homework before I start fixing things (that's
why I hang out here) so when it came time to rehab my furnace I
decided to try to reconcile the conflict between what I thought I
knew about thermocouples and what I had previously been told about
the flame detector. I encountered inconsistent terminology,
uninformed opinion and poor documentation. I examined the pilot
flame detector for my furnace and came to the same conclusion Mike
did when he later examined the flame detector for his Norcold and
said "it definitely does not have a coax connector...." Further
investigation revealed more to me about MFDs and some of the other
information I already passed along in the prior thread about the
Norcold. All of what I found supported that this something was not a
thermocouple.

The Main Course:
As the discussion in ev_update unfolded some of my claims were
undermined and I needed to make corrections. However a number of
additional erroneous claims were made, some by me. Although the main
functionality issues seem to have gotten sorted out for the most part
I could not reconcile some of the "facts". Cognitive dissonance
drives me nuts so I embarked on another voyage of discovery. I now
have enough authoritative evidence to correct my mistakes and a
couple others to boot. For instance: I stated that the device used
as a flame detector was not and could not be a thermocouple. That
was wrong! I said a thermocouple could not produce enough power to
be useful. That was wrong! Thermocouples can produce a surprising
amount of power when driving an appropriate load. I said it was a
Mercury Flame Detector or MFD like device. That was wrong! It also
is not a thermopile as Lee said. It is in fact simply a thermocouple
and it does indeed have a coaxial connection. To my credit the
devices I referenced in prior posts were what I identified them as;
they just aren't what are used in the Norcold. It is still true that
there is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there but my
contention that MFDs are what are typically used in gas appliance
flame detection systems was incorrect. My research revealed to me
that, while there are other methods in use, MFDs and thermopiles for
example, the majority of gas appliance flame detectors in use are in
fact thermocouples. In addition expansion bulbs are typically used
to control a non-electrical thermostat in appliances like ovens and
water heaters.

Dessert:
Humble Pie. To be sure, like umble pie this pie has guts but this
pie is special it has lots of real meat in it as well. This fine dish
is sweetened with plenty of eye candy. If you're interested in
seeing what all went into it you'll need to go to the file section
and open the file called THERMOCOUPLE!!!

IVAN
Therefore:
I am,
Dan