Re: Listen VW : Subaru Plans For Their Aftermarket

[Paul Wilson <pwilson@pop.ma.ultranet.com>]

At 09:18 AM 6/20/98 -0400, George & Deanna wrote:
>    I wish VW would be this open to embracing their performance ability.
>There are currently no sporting based vehicles in the lineup except the GTI
>with Eagle GAs and GLX worse off with floaty suspension. The new Beetle 1.8T
>will sort of go there, but VW is high and dry IMHO on this subject, with
>Audi about the same with the addition of their beautiful Sport suspension
>package. While VW has an established aftermarket, Audi is in the position of
>having strong worldwide sporting recognition and little aftermarket (in
>comparison to VW).
>    Imagine if VW would approach VW Sport, ND or Neuspeed or Audi to
>approach Hoppen, TAP or LLtek to develope high performance parts for
>enthusiasts and to sell high performance models in low quantities like the
>new S4, but maybe in tuned trim. Their sporting image would go up a ton, and
>it would make enthusiasts like us, sell their cars to our friends by the
>boatload.

Doesn't Audi sort of already do this in Europe?  They offer a 180hp upgrade
for the 1.8T which is just a chip as far as I can tell(makes me feel better
about buying a Wett chip).  I think the real problem is that none of the
other German companies do this here.  You can buy an AMG C43, but I don't
think you can buy AMG parts from the dealer.  The same goes for BMW.  You
can buy a Dinan(sp?) converted car from Dinan, but you can't buy Dinan
parts from a BMW dealer.  I think the only exception is Porsche.

Paul Wilson