News: Volkswagen Australia has yet to decide whether to import the Golf GTD

[GoLfMan]

Im not sure the GTD would detract from GTI sales. Its really a different market. Some people just want the GTI badge just as much as the "GTI experience"

Diesel hot hatches are very new in Aus and only just getting recognition, surely the success of the GT TDI would be a decent indication that its feasible here!

[Greg Roles]

It does seem odd that VW would fly in the face of all the reports that "petrol" will bypass $2 per litre in the next several months, and there are predictions of huge shortages in the next 3-5 given exponentially increasing Asian demand. I figure it would be prudent to focus on the most economical options, as people will want the most km's for their money. Still, I figure they'll use the "diesel demand" excuse again and jack diesel prices up even higher...

[Timbo]

I think it's absolute rubbish, and just a smokescreen while VWA sequences its model release in Australia. It's not about cannibalising GTI sales, but rather about ensuring the maximum margin from those sales and initial inventories (usually over the initial 12 mths) while stocks are short and no-one's really discounting. The likes of Barloworld highlight this sort of stuff up to bring forward sales and maintain demand and pricing for their floorstock.

If they have GTDs on the floor at the same time, then customers have an internal choice that ultimately may reduce margins over that early period.

I'll put money on a GTD or some type of "sports" 125Kw diesel being on the floor within 12 mths. VWA have sold too many of them to happy punters, and it's critical they have a replacement available.

[GoLfMan]

VWA have sold too many of them to happy punters, and it's critical they have a replacement available.

it would make poor business sense if they didnt cater for the "repeat" business of a mk5 owner wanting to upgrade his current GT TDI for a new GTD.

unless that owner is very loyal to VW, he's going to go elsewhere for a new "sport diesel"!

[Greg Roles]

....well I read in this months Yankie "Dieselpower" mag that the USA is getting the MK6 168hp 2.0 diesel Golf, and they've finally dropped the name "Rabbit".

[ENERG1]

The diesel car through out Europe is massive all i see is diesel,

although the diesel car has taken off here in Australia, is it really in the best

interests of VWA to bring out the GTD,[BRILLIANT CAR ] have read about it in

the mags but would they sell enough of them to make it worth their while.

Maybe when the diesel sales really sky rocket it would be.

Luke

[Breno]

My wife currently drives a Liberty 3.0R spec.B and we are looking to upgrade very soon. If the GTD were available now I would put down a deposit tomorrow. I hope VWA reads these forums and takes notice of the interest. I'm not interested in a GTI.

[CatonaPC©]

Given the surge in popularity of diesels in this country, not offering the GTD does not make sense. I would suggest if it were available for sale, it would outsell the petrol GTI.

The only reason I could think that VWA would not bring it in is the final on-road cost may be too high. If it starts getting into an Audi diesel price category, how would that affect sales? Other than enthusiasts, a typical diesel buyer is likely to opt for the cheaper 103kw variant. So the consequent sale volume will be too low to warrant importing the GTD.

[gerhard]

Given the surge in popularity of diesels in this country, not offering the GTD does not make sense. I would suggest if it were available for sale, it would outsell the petrol GTI.

The only reason I could think that VWA would not bring it in is the final on-road cost may be too high. If it starts getting into an Audi diesel price category, how would that affect sales? Other than enthusiasts, a typical diesel buyer is likely to opt for the cheaper 103kw variant. So the consequent sale volume will be too low to warrant importing the GTD.

Then how do you explain that the MKV GT TDI, which has been available alongside the GTI for several years, has NOT outsold the GTI.

Changing to MKVI is not going to reverse the relativity.

But I agree VWA is restricting sales growth by restricting model variants. In the AUDI camp, they bring everything that moves and are growing faster than VW is growing. That should tell VW something...- Bring them all