All I know is times are changing .
I can see major manufacturers such as KTM not being here in a couple of years , or at least having to undergo radical restructuring to survive .
I have to agree on this rather valid point.
Slightly on a different subject, yet still motoring related. Please don't shoot me.
The New Volkswagen Transporter (T7 for all I care) as VW called it, is based on a new chassis developed in partnership with Ford (Custom). The VW using Ford Engines, Gearboxes, etc. VW just slapped their own badges, minor interior tweaks and some exterior differences that are unique to VW only.
Why have VW done this?
Transporter has been manufactured in Germany (Hanover) for a long time, in automotive terms, it is equivalent to 100 years (probably) and the original T5 (launched in 2003) along with T5.1, T6, and T6.1 all share same chassis, doors, etc. The differences among the 4 "generations" of this van, were the new facelifts every 5 years, bumpers, alloy wheels, and rear light clusters, Otherwise you could fit a 2024 T6.1 barn doors onto a T5 from late 2003 and one would be pushed hard to spot the difference. The van as it stood, was now 21 years in production at same factory.
In 21 years, the German economy, wages, cost of living, etc, etc, all have changed significantly enough, that the last produced VW T6.1 vans were getting stupidly expensive for the average builder, fleet operator, etc. only die hard VW fan base were (still are) willing to pay the premium over equivalent Ford, Vauxhall, etc.
To continue on producing LCV panel van and remain successfully competitive, VW would have had to launch a completely new platform, engines, etc which they could, but this development would've been far to costly, then there is manufacturing location. This would have to be either moved abroad or remain in Germany. Meaning that the new van, would had starting price, north of £50k-£60k which is far from being competitive.
So, they have turned to Ford, who are selling 3:1 more vans compared to VW, despite the wet belt fiasco, amongst other issues, and have jointly developed the platforms, for Ranger & Amarok, Transit Connect & Caddy as well as Transit Custom and T7.
The new T7, is being produced at same factory in Turkey as is the Transit Custom, albeit on a parallel production lines, with each manufacturer uncharge of their own quality control. Both vans, will have different packages, to remain competitive, but comparable on price.
I am personally not a big fan of any Ford product, never have been, and never will be.
For one, I hate the turquoise backlit dials and endless boings, when you leave door ajar or forget to turn the light off when the key is out of ignition. The engines are shite with endless, issues. Meaning I could never have the confidence in any Ford product.
To me the T6.1 was the last true VW Transporter, a genuine VW product to ever exist and they have done a great job of knocking it on the head, due to ever rising manufacturing costs, and competition from Far East like China, who are producing, cheaper alternatives to European produced vehicles.
Same is already happening at big name motorcycle manufactures.
I shall keep my T6 for some time yet.
