Have AS Parted Company With VW For 2017 ?

Browsing through the 2017 Auto-Sleeper brochure, there is no longer a Volkswagen section. Last year's had the Topaz in it.

VW based motorhomes are getting very hard to find.  We really want a VW based vehicle which is a full  motorhome rather than a camper. Having searched around the NEC the best choice seems to be a WINGAMM which has a monocoque body which I love. Main drawback is only one dealer in the UK and he's in Scotland. They are also size for size a bit expensive but probably worth the extra for the monocoque body.

Norgil

Don't know if you're right but it appears A/S are to produce a rising roof camper based on a new, smaller Peugeot van. Perhaps they think this might give them more potential sales in that market ?

During the ASOC National rally this year, the AS management team advised that they were not able to compete in the campervan market as VW were pushing their own product (California range) through their main dealer network. The current VW chassis does not lend itself to an AS coach built conversion.

If you wish to provide your own chassis, AS will convert it for you.

Your last point is very interesting Peter as we love the Kemerton XL but want it on a Mercedes chassis, wonder though if it would work out too expensive. Do you know anyone who has provided their own chassis? 
Sorry to hijack your post Wargenwolf 

Andrea65 wrote:Your last point is very interesting Peter as we love the Kemerton XL but want it on a Mercedes chassis, wonder though if it would work out too expensive. Do you know anyone who has provided their own chassis? 
Sorry to hijack your post Wargenwolf 

Not personally but I have seen specials under construction.

It is very difficult to move a habitation design from one chassis to the other as critical dimensions vary. If I remember correctly the standard Sprinter body shell in narrower than the Peugeot

I'm sure they would build a 'one off' for you but shudder at the potential cost.

That's what am worried about if we did that.  We need an automatic and hubby is unsure about the auto on the Fiat base.  Is Fiat the same width as Peugeot?

Yes the Fiat is the same as the Peugeot and all I've spoken to who've driven the new Fiat auto are happy with it.

Thank you Peter, he's just worried about the complexity of it (he use to be an Aircraft Engineer) and what might go wrong.

Andrea65 wrote:............... Sorry to hijack your post Wargenwolf 

Feel free to hijack, discussion is discussion after all 

My ideal PVC would be the Kingham layout, but on a Mercedes chassis with the full automatic gearbox. I had a test drive of the Comfortmatic and decided it wasn't for me, thus ordered it on a manual.

I live in hope that AS convert on the Mercedes chassis in the future and as long as they are not priced out of the market, I will definitely be interested.

Ken.

I wish AS would use the Transit base again. Marquis are importing new Benimars on Transits 'because the base vehicles are cheaper than Peugeots'..
I have a horrible feeling that AS are pricing themselves out of the market. Popped into Moran's of Ludlow yesterday and they have Warwick, Warwick XL and Broadway all at £53995. Next to them was a Bailey Approach (new and unregistered) for £43995.  Where does the extra £10k come from. Same base vehicle. What internal fittings can cost £10k more?

Thank you Wargenwolf 
I asked a dealer why they didn't have PVC on merc base and he said they insist on quality conversions, after seeing a Lunar Landstar I think AS conversions are much better quality.  
May ring AS up and ask them if they may do PVC on merc in future.

That was my problem, I could do with  a slightly bigger MH,  6m or just under, but there isn`t one on a VW and I don`t want any other make.

Not a new one or one after 2006,I prefer the older more solid built ones, and not so technical, less to go wrong,  it would still have to be my car though. the Talisman I fancied but it is not a VW.I am very happy with the one I have, but on the very rare occasional hubby and the rescue dog goes then more space would be desirable.

Andrea65 wrote:......... May ring AS up and ask them if they may do PVC on merc in future.

Please let us know the outcome of that call Andrea, 

Ken.

Will do