I’ve been tracking this and waiting since 2014 and I know that it’s not just enthusiasts but It’s families, Couples, teens, elders… everyone talks about wanting the perfect camper/eurovan.. it’d be a dream to have a newly built one!! A lot of the bells and whistles in a van like the VW Cali are not necessary and a home build (if you/I can do it) is far cheaper and more specific to your personal needs. And presumably, VW would need to keep hitting 200K or so in California sales every year. I wonder what the owners of Marathon Oil, the Koch family, would explain the disparity? For comparison, here are some of the brands that sold fewer than 200,000 vehicles in the US last year: My expatriate daughter lives and works in Germany. Volume in Europe is now at an all time high of 12000 units. 4000 to 6000? It is hugely complex with its electrohydraulic roof and even in Germany not many VW dealerships know how to work on them. Looking at the price tag seems like Europeans are doing well. If old US beaters can be licensed and driven, why couldn’t this van? View our entire inventory of New or Used Volkswagen RVs. Another thing to consider is the resourcefulness of the average American camper. Yes, that was for a car that wasn’t even in production, and with a 3-year wait time. What’s next in the VW van world for the US? the vw eurovan sales in the us were nowhere near where they needed to be. These would sell in the states like hotcakes. My Moms initials were VW. We are selling vans, very well-equipped vans with four-wheel-drive, with kitchenette, with everything that you want for prices of $50,000 and up, which is not where the market here is, or where the camping market is. There is even a setting that shows the van’s angles when parked, helping the driver dial in the most level camping position without having to eyeball it or use a line level. Lost my Mom 34 years ago to cancer. I think with Covid, there’s has never been a time where getting outdoors is so vital. I saw one the other day in Lee Vining, California. For 7 years, people have asked about our van. Volkswagen … Notify me of followup comments via email. [In my case, I am old enough that this wouldn’t matter because I would keep it until I die! Here’s a question…and I am seriously trying to do this!!! I owned a Eurovan Weekender for about 12 years and it was my favorite vehicle. We camped all over the west in that puppy. And eliminates it from my dreams. We have been waiting for a new van for so many years since there’s really no great replacement for a VW Rialto. There’s a two-burner stove, the front captain seats swivel, the rear bench seat reclines, the tables stow easily for huge amounts of floor space. Thanks Robin. The people that have the money will buy a decked out RV. Seriously. I’ve been waiting to buy such a VW camper van In Canada for years too. It is not without reason that the first motorhome ever ... read more » Hot water heating system ... 05.11.2019 Westfalia is celebrating … In 2003, the final year that VW imported the Eurovan to the US, less than 4,000 sold in the entire year! The folks at GoWesty might at least be able to point you in the right direction. Discover the Volkswagen T6 based Westfalia Club Joker & Club Joker City including official brochure, photos, specifications and price list. I didn’t mean to imply they would sell 200,000 west of the Rockies in a single year, but that’s a fair assumption since I was making a comparison to the single-year sells disaster of <4,000. Just my $0.02. Most if not all of the converted Nissan NV 2500 or 3500 you see are the high top version. I would like to buy one over there, drive and store it for a few years and then bring it home. 24 MPG. VW would have made (and still would) a killing if they would have sold these camper vans in the US at the beginning of the pandemic. Why is the new VW California camper van not sold in the US? – Volvo: 98,786 vehicles Essentially it’s as if you took a Vanagon Westy Syncro and modernized and electrified everything and gave it a torquey, fuel-efficient diesel motor. Huge camper vans are not great for big trips, when the dont get good gas milage.. Are you saying you can import a new VW California camper? In our travels, we have only seen 1 as well. Back in the early 70s, we dreamed of buying a Volvo this way. There is also the issue of Diesel engines. He said that it costs beaucoup bucks to prove that vehicles pass our safety and emissions standards. I am also disappointed the California is not available. =D. Throw some tires on there and you’re set. VW brought a bunch of T6 camper vans to the states last year and they were all given high praise by the media. =(. If so, how would one go about it? I would love a new camper van. I saw “cliffy” used to describe a campsite in AJ #13 the other day. I would be willing to do some research on this, if you don’t know. That’s it? We won't send you spam. There are smaller van conversions with pop tops available in the US. I would pay you in advance to get a New California or the 2019 Kepler one. Bet you VW regrets not coming to the US now lol. But, it might work if you could order one for delivery in Europe, drive/camp and ship it home. I’m going to look into buying in Europe and transporting to US – once it’s safe again to travel abroad. 4.2 / 5. Maybe VW recognizes this as well. I'd like to receive the free email course. I woukd willingky sell my house and buy one of these as my full-time home but nooo – we can’t have anything that intelligent in America! By American standards, I'm poor. I have cold hard cash that I would immediately pay for the new VW California van. How can you “bring them in”? Or maybe a Tofino if I was in the market again. This year we’re excited to see Volkswagen … Over here, where everything is accessible, even for large RVs, there is just not this demand. Anything?? And that’s without mentioning the statement you’d make by driving one around! I’d gladly do it and sell it to you for $80k. But people are climbing over each other to drop twice that on a Sprinter van, buying far, far more van than most actually need, and Mercedes isn’t complaining. Come on man, use a real modifier. Admittedly, it does lack the soul of a VW. That’s the mindset. We have a 1999 Eurovan Camper that we love.Was offered what we paid for it last year! This is particularly annoying because VW just released details about the newest version of the California van, and it looks near-perfect. Saw so many of these vans on the road. Browse Volkswagen RVs. 1983 Volkswagen WESTFALIA Owned for 1 year. VW didn’t release any … VW Vanagon – From  $9,900 for a 1984 version, VW Westfalia camper van – From $11,000 for a 1970 version, VW Eurovan – From $5,500 for a 1993 MV version, Rent a campervan before you buy ($40 off! Head of Product Line Communications That’s what happened to the Element. At $50k, almost no one under 30 could afford it. I just bought a California, About Volkswagen . Please read our. Well, California vans have occasionally been spotted in the US, so maybe, just maybe some enterprising van lover can get their hands on one. Vehicle must be 25 years or older to import. That eats gas. My 2002 Eurovan was amazing, it just wasn’t build in a reliable fashion. Another problem is the camper side. All original 1976 Volkswagen Westfalia pop top camper van, low miles! Galley with burner and sink, double bed, windows, 93 cubic feet cargo space. Besides the ingenious camper-friendly and no doubt camper-designed guts of this thing, there are two crucial bits of envy-inducing details to share: they all come with a 2.0-liter diesel engine, and you can have one with AWD. Browse listings. “The second problem is currently we make those vans in Europe, and even with the rising dollar and weaker Euro share, it is not enough units to make up for a reasonable price. VW is promising the electric new bus, the “ID Buzz” will hit US dealers in 2022. Americans really want to buy these van campers. Isn’t the real reason they’re not available in NA the chicken tax? 1974 Volkswagen Westfalia 1974 VOLKSWAGEN WESTFALIA … It’s only sold with a TDI engine which may not be smog legal and certainly isn’t going to be a commercial success in the US. Ever since the Dodge Omni, Chrysler has taken advantage of VW, building a similar version of the VW engine supplied to Chrysler. Parts is a non issue…at least with Westfalias, Delicas, etc. But Americans love their adventures and I for one would be interested in this van. If we ever move there a van like this is definitely in the must have category. The issue will be maintenance and parts but I’ve always use normal garages to fix my previous VW T5’s unless under warranty. While it’s not a VW – you might be better off looking at the Tofino built on a Ford platform, but largely the same layout. while doing it. Now we're making claims this thing costs $80,000? It’s more complex than that. A pop top seats 4-5, sleeps 4. Part of the problem was nonexistent marketing and perhaps a misplaced need to own a Sprinter or nostalgia for a VW. Could be the deal. The new VW Crafter has been finding its place in the camper van market, in production campers like the Knaus Boxdrive to wild concepts like Volkswagen's own California XXL. I just got back from Czech and took a blip through Germany to Innsbruck while there for 3 weeks. There are many smart touches, like the fact that the. I wish the CEO was more of a visionary. Your email address will not be published. People are simplifying their lives. Motorized pop-top, kitchenette, 30L fresh and grey water tanks, 4×4 drive. vanagons still reign supreme if you can afford to maintain them but with the higher priced competitive vans in market now, the consumer desire to get back to nature, and the tiny house popularity perhaps the vw van time has returned. I’m not interested in the ID Buzz it doesn’t seems to offer the utility my Eurovan did. “Torquey”? They’re probably the easiest to find on the market. Site design by Swoon & Co. Creative, *This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I can send him the money, have him buy it for me and ship it home. We have to have garganfuan everything, from houses to vehicles. We were so lucky!! the Rialto is an eyesore or should I say a quite generic styled van so, why not bring back the delicious super functional vw California van and watch it take off?? VW is shooting themselves in the foot thinking people won’t invest in this kind of vehicle. Seems to be a very huge criteria for importing one. Not at all. Is this possible? Used Eurovan campers with the Westphalia conversion are going for $40K here in Colorado with 150K miles on them. Unsubscribe at any time. I think of this all the time when I see 5 people get into a VW estate wagon when I’m in Europe 🙁. Frustrating, my guess is that it is part of a strategy to flood the US market with the all electric vw counter culture bus in 2022. looking forward to it but need a van NOW. I would buy a California tomorrow. I’ve emailed the folks at VW a handful of time over the years telling them that they are missing the boat– I think there is more than enough demand here is the states to sustain the market for these vans in the $50-80k price range. (wife is Czech). Paint is VW … It is ridiculous that we are held hostage by our own government regulations. Contact info? The rewards could also be larger, but the competitors will likely be tougher. That’s a funny way to come outta the closet these days. So why can’t we get this thing here? Good Article and good comments. 🙂 I will. Thinking of buying 2 more and selling them. Particularly with the pandemic, these would sell very well. Problem was we had no money…. Point proven once again by Bulhmann's take on 2004 America in 2016 — or whenever the BLOODY interview was conducted. I don't drive it as much as one should with this van. Shall we point out the ludicrous asking price for the thousands of 30 yr old rigs with 100 lb batteries n generators with insulations and hoses crumbling to bits? $50,000, no camper's market? To sum it up it’s probably not worth to do until the US will drop the ‘chicken Tax‘. 2019 VW Camper Colors, Release Date, Redesign, Price – Will Volkswagen microbus again gave that the electric pushed vehicle, debuting inside of the extravaganza CES technology prior to the technology, depending on the information. Perhaps this should be the starting grounds for identifying the demand, not statistics from 2004 when MySpace was exploding, and people were still living in their tiny worlds (today, we all want to be Mark Twain again like in the 70s, not Eminem n Marylin Manson like in the Y2K). Those are people who are hardcore fans for this segment, but they’re just too few to justify making a new version of this only for this market. More? Sell me an “Ocean” now…although I wish it was available in a manual shift. Well, it’s hard to say exactly, but seems to be that VW doesn’t think there’s a big enough market in the US and that potential buyers would balk at the cost. I was stationed in Europe and had the military ship my European-made car home. You can take it to any campground as a van, not an RV. Sven Hedin Adventure awaits with the new Westfalia Sven … The folks at Jalopnik did a nice walkaround of last year’s model that’s more illustrative of what this van can do than the stock VW shots above. Buhlmann says that VW would need to sell 200,000 California vans for the product to be economically viable. But, Kevin, if you are able to import them, I would be an interested buyer. Plenty of vans to chose from. Pleasure-way used the Dodge Ram van and basically ripped of the VW California layout. More environmentally friendly. Times have changed. Europe gets the California. Eurovans and other variants are in high demand, https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2000-Volkswagen-EUROVAN-FULL-CAMPER-5008346425. Just not the same at a ridiculous price. I was told at my VW dealership that it would cost the VW company quite a lot of money to do the testing to verify that it meets our standards. Problem is that the Tofino does not have the same nice cabinetry for storage that the California has. Christian Buhlmann I live in Scotland, and have been to the states a couple of times, lovely folk, but your bang on Since the current season, i.e. Two adults can fit up here, actually, with a second bed down below. Unfortunately, the Metris isn’t sold as a 4×4 in the states, but the Tecamp is really sweet 🙂, In 2012, we bought a Nissan NV converted by Sportsmobile, Fresno. And they are vw experts so they know the history. Surely a European car, especially from Germany, would meet US standards? Speak for yourself—any of my 6 grandkids could afford it since they have good income and live with parents who don’t charge rent and buy all their food ; ). 1985 VW Vanagon Westfalia Camper w/ Subaru 2.2L Engine - $19,500 in Bellingham, WA 1984 VW Vanagon Westfalia w/ 2.5L Subaru - $20k in Seattle, WA Rare 5 Speed 2.1L Westy For Sale Again - … So you need something compact in order to get where you want to go. Plus, they might have to make changes to the design based on the outcome of the tests. One percent? There is an RV market, true, but those RVs are much larger in size than what we currently offer. I think it's the most affordable thing for camping out in … Exterior paint and de-rust job. 96000EUR list price. MattR $0 (bli > Bellingham) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Or the $80,000+ customs mentioned by the OP, literally selling faster than they can make them? Downsizing. Not a fan of that collaboration, at all. Each van is slightly … But there's … The younger generation, want something smaller and affordable. 🙁. About: Volkswagen RVs. That support would be missing in the US. This Van would sell out like crazy!! I was surprised to hear that these are not available in the states. I’m not sure you’re going to be able to “import” one to the states that easily. Check it out below. I am very disappointed in VW! Heck, let's say it costs $99,976: I'd prob still buy it first, because I can make car payments. If that doesn’t work, one of my former students is now a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant stationed in Stuttgart. In automotive terms, that’s peanuts. My 15 oz tent cost me $580. Assuming one had the time; and the money: Is there a way of buying one in Europe and shipping it to US? 'Chicken Tax'? Our Rialto’s are aging. Problem with shipping one home is getting parts and service. Would love to have one here in the states – my in laws have on in Germany and it is great little camper ! http://www.alpesevasion.com0479612383Consultez notre page internet pour vous tenir au courant des nouveautés. I have no doubt it will sell like hot cakes here. I wish I could post a photo of our 2012 Nissan NV 2500 Sportsmobile with pop top and same floor plan as our ‘83 West. And and getting parts is going to require importing most items from Europe. Ever heard of the “chicken tax?” That adds a few grand to the price as well. But making payments? Millenials would gobble them up. The “California” name alone makes it seem as though Volkswagen is trolling us. 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon - Great for camping, but overheats I love the size of my Westfalia and have had a few over the years. So it is for the Volkswagen … Westfalia Campers were available from Volkswagen dealers worldwide and were also delivered via the Tourist Delivery Program — whereby a customer would pick up their new van in Germany, drive it in Europe, then VW … We need to discontinue the sloppy, twee trend of adding a “y” to nouns and calling them a adjectives. The I.D. The “California” name alone makes it seem as though Volkswagen is trolling us. Most high top conversions seat 4-5, sleep 2. Shame on u VW!!!!! I’m an ex Eurovan owner and moved to a sprinter van, when my VW died. My down jacket was $380. An attention-grabbing vehicle – everyone will turn around when they see your hippie-van. Combined Fuel Economy. Buzz is cool looking but I don’t see it as a camper. My first car was a VW Karman Ghia that we bought in Germany, drove it around Europe and shipped it back to the USA. I couldn’t have said I better! MikeA. Compact and driveability as anti-selling points? The 2022 VW I.D Buzz is not a camper, and I prefer the body style of the California. I can bring them in. So here’s the question: of the 211 million Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials in the US, how many could fall in love with the California if VW sold it here? BRING THE $86,347 VW CALIFORNIA TO THE STATES, ALREADY! Wow this car is really kick-ass! A dedicated VW community – there’s a keen VW owners community in the US, so you will be able to connect with fellow owners and ask questions about any parts you may need to fix or any tips on upgrading parts, like the pop-top. LOL I dunno why I just invested so much time in this rant. The USA needs these and I think they would sell like hotcakes! Last year, my wife and I were waiting for a ferry in Croatia and a guy in line had a California van (not a camper). I have been looking for years to find a way to import a new camper without paying the 150% plus the cost to get the van certified by NHTSA via RI. I can't find a good mechanic (including the dealerships) for my Jeep Cherokee or my Hyundai Elantra…don't get me started on 'Service'. Challenging to fix – replacement parts are typically harder to get, as these models are not on the market anymore and shipping them from Europe can be costly. I did catch a glimpse of one of these VW California’s last year driving past me north on the 101 here in Los Angeles. I’m guessing the market is too limited, and once the people that want them buy them, that will be it for sales. But there are many people here that will buy a shell van and convert it on their own. The main upgrades on the VW Grand California Camper Van are the bathroom, which comes complete with. Am I missing something? Because of their small market share, VW doesn’t think they can do it. I travel internationally for my job and every time we’re out and about a coworker will always comment derisively about how “small” and tiny the foreign cars are (Europe, Asia, Australia, etc. That's laughable…Every blonde haired, silicon altered mom living in the yuppy housing plan next to my farm would buy this thing tomorrow to run to town and look oh so extra adorable (right?) – Tesla: 197,517 vehicles. The company that brought us one of the first camping ready vans, the Microbus, and later iterations of the Vanagon and even the underrated Eurovan, sells a van purpose-built for camping and living out of, calls it the “California,” looks at the booming market for overlanding vehicles and camper vans in the US, and still refuses to sell it here. Well, PJ Williams, we can at least dream about one!! I just thought of a possibility. since September 2019, Westfalia has been using the new T6.1, professionally lifted by VW, as the base vehicle for the Club Joker and Club Joker City models. And most Americans over 30 would be way too fat to fit in anything that small. You can opt for shade spots, low limbs, car access only, etc. In Germany, where over 50% are sold, not every VW dealership will sell or even touch them due to the complexity of the camper part (electro-hydraulic poptop raising mechanism, anyone?). Here's obvious food for thought: European and American cultures–however both systemically Aryan–are vastly different from one another, and neither understands the other. Three percent? Classifieds for Classic Volkswagen Westfalia Camper. Here’s what doesn’t add up for me: why does VW require 200K units sold for this to be viable? The discussion usually ends with the price tag, or they are more interested in a diy project. Mercedes Maco Polo, By the way, we also have the last year for the smaller Tiguan. Tesla did this in 2016 with the Model 3 and got 325,000 pre-orders. Did you check the EU price list from VW? 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack Starting Price. My current business imports from Europe and brings containers over on a regular basis. Just trying to see if it makes financial sense. Had a little propane tank built onto the back. So far to my knowledge, only 1 used NV SMB has come on the market. (Maybe on paper). Great. Took forever to sell them. Soooooo much cheaper. “Once the people that want them buy them, that will be it for sales.”. My understanding is that the van hasn’t been tested to meet US standards and that is why it isn’t being sold here. Both of these problems are solved by the super trendy n cyclically stylish (you don't even have to be a camper to want/drive one of these) VW California. Questions and Answers about VW camper vans, Conclusion on new VW camper vans for sale, Campervan Interior Ideas: Building out your Van, Toyota Sienna Camper is an affordable custom build, Top four cargo vans for a campervan conversion. Michigan radio interviewed the press relations pro at VW, Christian Buhlmann, a few years ago when the California first debuted and here’s what he had to say about keeping the van out of the US: “It’s either love ’em or hate ’em. I’m now considering a Transit or Sprinter, because I don’t want a minivan. I’ve currently got a new Diesel VW Caravelle 6.1 which has 4 wheel drive and an automatic DSG gerabox. And although it is mostly perfect, I would opt for gas over diesel having lived through both the TDI situation, and three of the slow, under-powered diesel Westie’s of the past. Galley with burner and sink, windows, double bed. It’s possible to get one here. Plenty of diesel mechanics around that can fix these. That rear bench seat reclines too. (SMB converted these as well among the 30. Sorry, You Missed Out On This Affordable VW Camper. I’m so tired of the American attitude that “big is better, and biggest is best”! Thanks Kevin. I’d willingly part with my money for one of these whenever they decide to bring em stateside. Once again, a $50,000 camper van beats a 21+' mini RV any day of the week; whether you're buying overpriced, organic groceries in your hometown, or you're stopping to sleep in an Iowa WalMart lot on your way crosscountry (let's face it, you didn't stop in Iowa for any other reason). Oh, one more thing. But i promised her i would have a new camper one day!! This doesn’t seem insurmountable? At this moment, the only brand new AWD or 4×4 options in the states are the insanely inflated diesel Sprinters or the highly anticipated (sad) 2020 Ford Transit. I think they know.. i think there’s some underlying conspiracy for there is no logic behind this reasoning.. Someone else suggested that as well here on this thread. Probably not enough to build a support structure for the vans themselves and the camper part. Volkswagen Westfalia Camper Was A Conversion Of Volkswagen Type 2, Known Informally As The Bus. You could consider this a “smart camper.” A sophisticated control system handles things like the onboard fridge, lighting systems, and the pop-up tent. The … Classic Volkswagen Westfalia Camper for Sale. ), The pros and cons of owning a VW camper van. unlike that cumbersome RV. People who nowadays still drive a T2, T3, T4, you name ‘em – those vans that we used to have until the 2000s – most of them are enthusiasts that run these vehicles in perfect weather conditions. Definitely a market for these so I’ll be looking at how to import legally and satisfy emission regulations and any other legal problems. All of which is displayed and operated through a clean-looking display above the windshield. But until then, I’ll keep my Eurovan oiled and tuned. Loved the fun we had!!!! Sadly that won’t be happening 🙁, CaveVan can build you a Custom Eurovan or poptop Metris here in the USA. Nice, without being too flashy. I was really hoping that this was to test the waters to see if there really was a strong demand for the product.