VW Transporter for the USA

[agerb]

Just finished hosting a Xmas party in which two of my guests, both whom work for VW, assured me that that VW is either retooling or building a plant in or around Spartanburg NC in order to build Transporters for the US market. TDI's nonetheless. These guys are super solid and good friends and wouldn't b.s. me, but I will believe it when I see it. With any luck we will be able to get this package.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/volkswagen-transporter-takes-to-the-hills-with-the-rockton-4moti/

Apparently Jettas/Golfs and possibly The Amorack will also be assembled at the same facility.

 

[ihatemybike]

I wasn't able to find a current VW plant around Spartanburg or any news of VW looking around there. Hopefully your friends are right. I love my Astros, but I might look at a T5.

 

[Michael Slade]

I'll start saving my pennies...

 

[vanderpooch]

I wasn't able to find a current VW plant around Spartanburg or any news of VW looking around there.

VW has built their US headquarters right here in Chattanooga and plan to be online VERY soon. As far as I know they do not have any other plans at the moment to build a plant elsewhere in the US however they have designed there plant so that the Paint booth can be shared with another future plant side by side. The buzz here is that it will be an Audi line but who knows?!

 

[agerb]

Plant

I spoke with my friend at VW again, and going to try to email the info he has. Anyhow, he said the the new Jetta is already in production at the new plant in Tennessee, and there is another line being built for the T5. Spartanburg is incorrect, my bad. I am starting to save as well.

 

[Victorian]

I'm very happy to see these vans being offered in North America again! Even if they are only half a good as my current T4 Eurovan that they will be a winner! Although not a cheap one... But then again, having TDI Eurovan would be just amazing!

Here is a build someone did in Austria:
http://www.austrian-beduin.at/page14.php
http://www.austrian-beduin.at/page11.php

 

[SWbySWesty]

The one thing it's missing is the pop top or the ability to stand in it. I LOVE my VW being able to stand in it in miserable weather. If I hadn't had broken motor mounts, my gf and I would have gone camping this weekend in the pouring rain at some hot springs for a romantic getaway and stayed dry!

 

[ywen]

k i guess that was a false rumor... oh the internets

 

[K0YO]

I recently wrote VW of America and asked about the availability of the Rockton.

Response: "At this time, there are no plans to introduce the Rocktan to the US
market. Please be assured your comments have been documented and made
available to the proper parties at Volkswagen of America. Feedback from
our customers is a driving force in the design and production of future
Volkswagen vehicles."

My heart sunk, darn! What a rig!

If your interested you can contact VW of America here: http://www.vw.com/en/contact_us/nav/contact_us.html

I wonder what would happen if they got deluged with hundreds of phone calls and emails? I know they would have a good corner in the market, who else makes a mid sized 4x4 van with good mileage here in the USA?

There is a new vw plant in Chattanooga TN, I believe that to be true.

Chant: Rockton Rockton Rockton

 

[Sleeping Dog]

It is very possible that VW will build T-5s in TN but still not sell them in the US. With the USD-Euro value what it is building in the US for export is profitable.

 

[otiswesty]

I was in Baja last week and saw a few TDI VW vans, looked like T5. Pretty cool.

Got me dreaming...

 

[nemoaz]

Like this?

http://mx.volkswagen.com/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/es_mx/0/Transporter.html

 

[veesquared]

sorry sbout that

It is very possible that VW will build T-5s in TN but still not sell them in the US. With the USD-Euro value what it is building in the US for export is profitable.

I sent you a pm asking what your bike is I see now it is a Dakar. I have one myself. I wonder if you've ever done the TMT or Puppy Dog ride in Vermont and we've possibly met. Do you do NETRA events like the big bike dualsport rides. The Dakar is heavy but with full knobs doable Gary VV

 

[TroySmith80]

When i was at the grand canyon last spring in my westy, we met a couple from europe who were touring around in their late model TDi Eurovan full-camper. I had some serious lust for that rig. It was badged "California Coach" on the back. Pretty sure it was FWD only though, not sure if they're available in a Syncro model. It didn't have a lot of clearance. Also, the couple said they were quite expensive to buy. SMB is still better. Would be fun to get 30mpg though, and i bet it handles pretty well.

 

[otiswesty]

The van in Baja was badged "Eurovan" with TDI badging as well.

Not a Crafter and I think shorter than the ones on the VW Mex website. The little Crossfox model was pretty cool, they would probably sell by the many thousands here.