VW shows off specials
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• Volkswagen has invited specialist manufacturers from all over Europe to show their products alongside the factorybuilt models, at an exhibition near Hanover.
On display is a British-built parcels van conversion on the
largest available model, the LT50. The Vaile built body has a walktiu-ough cab, with plywood/GRP bodywork, and aerodynamic roof spoiler.
The Optare 25-seater City Pacer was also on show, with two other European minibus conversions that have the Volkswagen 'blessing'.
Although ABS braking systems, and the Austrian-built 4x4 `Synciro' option formed the backbone of many of the vehicles, a great many of the options are not available in RHD. These included the LT55, the LT40 4x4, Westphalia, Dehler, and Puchbuilt specials, and the 16inch wheeled Transporter, which should be available in the UK from January.
A Volkswagen product strategy of a universal model, with complimentary body-built specials means that the factory works closely with outside firms to the extent of testing conversions in the VW wind tunnel, but British firms were concerned at the factory's claim that specials can be built in-house if demand exceeds 100 units, as the factory, Vehicles on show near Hanover _included the VW Transporter Synciro with a Westphalia high roof conversion (above) and the four-wheel-drive LT40 pick-up. (The VW's the one on the left).
could, in theory, take over production from its specialist manufacturers. In practice, however, this seems unlikely, as the Hanover plant could not cope with the many specialist vehicles on show, which ranged from 'hunting' conversion with built-in gun racks (big business in Germany), to security and high-speed vehicles for use with police and ambulance services.