That's an old website.  The [fragile] Microbus production plan fell apart
when the dollar sunk ...

More recent information

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2006/01/its_official_ch.
html

http://www.allpar.com/model/m/2008-minivans.html

> From: robertmstewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
> Reply-To: robertmstewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
> Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:03:35 -0400
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Conversation: Microbus Concept in Production says this website...
> Subject: Microbus Concept in Production says this website...
> 
> http://www.ohiovw.com/news/microbus.asp
> 
> So here’s something I found today, some more recent news on the Microbus
> concept: lets all hold our breath till it comes out...
> 
> Here’s what the site stated:
> 
> · 1,500 new jobs at Stöcken site
> · 5000 x 5000 model complete
> · Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder: all market studies positive
> · Bernd Wiedemann: entering new era
> · Günter Lenz: staff put up marvelous fight
> 
> The decision has been taken: the Microbus will be built in Hanover. In the
> presence of several thousand employees, the management and Works Council
> today signed an agreement to build the new model. Speaking at the Stöcken
> site, Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Board of Management
> Volkswagen AG, said: "Having reviewed the economic requirements for building
> the Microbus in the Group, we have come to the conclusion that, based on the
> 5000 x 5000 project and a thorough restructuring of the Hanover site, the
> conditions are good."
>    
> Bernd Wiedemann, Spokesman of the Managing Body Volkswagen Commercial
> Vehicles, commented: "This is a great day for Hanover. Volkswagen Commercial
> Vehicles is entering a new era."
>    
> The decision means 1,500 new jobs for the Hanover plant. These jobs will be
> created as part of the unique 5000 x 5000 labour model. Under this new
> concept, Volkswagen AG will employ a total of 5,000 persons for a gross wage
> of DM 5,000 (€ 2,556). The decision to create 3,500 new jobs to produce a
> minivan at the Wolfsburg plant was already taken last year.
> 
>  
> Günter Lenz, Chairman of the Works Council Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles,
> said: " The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles team put up a marvellous fight to
> win this vehicle. All our efforts have been rewarded. The decision shows
> that the Hanover site can hold its own in an international comparison of VW
> locations."
> 
> Bernd Wiedemann thanked the Volkswagen AG Board of Management for the
> confidence it was placing in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand: "The
> decision is a great challenge - a challenge we are very willing to accept."
>     
> By deciding to build the Microbus, Volkswagen has set its sights on a new
> segment - a MPV combining striking design and high functionality with the
> comfort of a limousine. Dr. Pischetsrieder emphasised that "with the
> Microbus, a legend begun some 50 years ago when the first VW bus left the
> production line here is now returning to Hanover. The VW bus was never just
> a means of transport, it has always been an emotive cult object. The
> public's reaction at motor shows combined with the findings of market
> studies already show us that the Microbus design has a spontaneous appeal,
> and that the vehicle will follow in the footsteps of its successful
> predecessor."
>     
> The Microbus concept car debuted at the Detroit Motor Show. The vehicle was
> also given an enthusiastic reception at the Tokyo, Geneva and Frankfurt
> Motor Shows. The Microbus was designed at the Volkswagen Design Studio in
> California. 
> 
> Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles / Communications