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Ben Doughney wrote: > on 18/6/2001 3:37 PM, Jim Adney at jadney@vwtype3.org wrote: > > > I believe they were made in Germany right up to the end in model > > year 73. > What was the reason for discontinuing the Type 3's? > > Ben Doughney Ben, I believe VW discontinued the Type 3 because they had to make space available on the Wolfsburg production lines for the new Passat (Dasher to Americans). They had already shifted Type 4 production to Salzgitter where for just over a year it shared a production line with the Audi 100. The oil crisis was on, Beetle sales were in decline, Type 3 sales were falling off dramatically, VW factories in Germany were laying off foreign "guest-workers" and moving into shorter working week mode, VW shares were also in free-fall as were the company's losses. So, VW management was desperate improve its image and to get a new fuel efficient "more advanced" Volkswagen onto showroom floors. And, that car was to be the Passat which was the VW version of the well-received and successful Audi 80. And, VW management was correct. The Passat and then the Golf (Rabbit to Americans) saved Volkswagen financially and were the basis of the company's remarkable recovery. But, of course, we all know that in terms of aesthetics and engineering tradition, it was a dreadful mistake to give the Type 3 the chop!!! Early in July 1973 I ordered a tax-free Type 3 Variant for tourist delivery at the factory. After leaving a deposit with my local VW agent, we received a telegram from VW in Wolfsburg saying that Type 3 production had ceased and would I be interested in the new Passat. They sent me a bundle of brochures on the Passat but I got the VW agent to refund my deposit. Simon Glen Toowoomba, Australia. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Search old messages on the Web! Visit http://www.vwtype3.org/list/