if it was me, I'd change the domain you have to be an "information only" site on how VWOA is screwing their customers and reputation. Make sure it's "opinion only" and they can't do squat.
Why they insist on cutting themselves loose from their history makes no marketing sense at all. They'd have more customers if they'd treat them well instead of distancing themselves from us.
I wouldn't be surprised if we discover VWoA thinks the Bug is an embarrassment to its now-upscale customers. I wonder how many people driving that Jaguar know that it started as the Swallow Sidecar Company. . . . Or that at the same time VW was making the last of the oval-windows, BMW was making something called Isetta (sic)
I think the Isetta was an Italian machine simply branded by BMW. All kinds of those things happen. Ferrari made the Dino but had Fiat sell it because it wasn't a V-12. BMW took the low road.
Yeah, but Isettas rock and I can't wait to get mine on the road! BMW doesn't really offer alot of support for the Isetta parts wise, but they at least have sponsored a handful of events over the years to celebrate major anniversaries surrounding it.
Yup, this is why I no longer buy anything from VW. I think we need to get a letter writing camapign going where we all take pictures of our VWs with the logos blotted out (or maybe changed to Swastikas?) and send them to VW with a note telling them that you'll never buy anything until they end this stupid policy. Assinine. Andy
Yes but it was branded BMW, and a far cry from the stuff they put out today. Although those little Isettas seem to survive. I saw one in near mint condition in Palatine a year ago.
What I'm getting at is the snob angle. The people that drive Volkswagens now aren't the same people that drove our beloved Beetle. That class of people have moved on to things like Toyota Corollas. I ought to know, I is one! I often refer to the Corolla as the Japanese attempt at a Beetle. Toyota's made over 25 million of them, although they've changed the design a lot, unlike the Beetle. And what is badged as a Corolla in Europe is not necessarily a Corolla in the US, etc.
What's sad is that Toyota, too, seems to be playing the Snob card with the Camry (affectionately known as the Cram-me and the Buick of Toyotas around these parts.)
That would explain the front of the design then. Not to put the Isetta down, but people that drive the new 5 series might be a bit embarrased to admit that BMW ever did something called the Isetta. Just like the Jag drivers might be embarrased by Swallow Sidecar Company. I get the feeling the current VWoA is feeling the same way about the Beetle to a certain extent. . . .
There is one just two blocks from my house. It has been under tarps for forty years. I did some snapshots of it for him so he could eBay it. He looked at it and put it back under the tarps where it will probably sit forever again. *sigh*
It is stupid, but the way I understand it US law actually obligates them to do this sort of thing.
If they don't defend it as a trademark, eventually they will lose the right to claim it as theirs. While it would certainly be nice of them to drop the name into the "public domain", the bug is one of the most recognized symbols of the last century and probably still has some real value attached to it.
From what I gather, trademark law and being nice don't mix very well.
Not saying this puts VWoA into a better light, heck I'd still be at the front of the lynch mob. Just saying that their hand is being forced. If there was some way for them to maintain the trademark and ignore the classic VW community, I'd lay my money on them turning a blind eye to all of us.
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