Volkswagen Oz Screwing Oz Buyers

[JIMMYP]

I posted a query a few weeks ago querying whether Bi-Xenons were available on the new TSI 118, as I had been told by my dealer, that these were not available.

One of the kind boardies answered that they are not, but they are available in NZ:

http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/publish/...10_13Nov09.pdf

I find it odd and indeed a bit annoying that Volkswagen Oz seems to be shortchanging VW buyers in Oz. I can't for the life of me see why they would not be offered in Oz, but would be in NZ. Do we not have as many dark country roads (the main reason I want to buy them) and windy roads? It also seems we Aussies are being short changed by Oz Volkswagen with not being able to have the option of electronic folding rear vision mirrors - an option that is available on a 1990's(!!) Honda HRV that I drive sometimes!

Anyone know why we are being screwed?

C'mon Oz Volkswagen, lift your game!

[Stoney!]

I also notice on the options list that the RASP enabled 'premium' bluetooth priced at $750 is a massive amount cheaper than the near $2500 that VW Australia are trying to charge us. That is simply Theft, considering Vw's are a little more expensive over there also due to the exchange rates I don't understand!

Stoney!

[The_Hawk]

I have often wondered about certain accessories and their availability in Australia vs other contries and not just from VW. I can understand that some local laws or compliance issues *could* mean that something isn't available but short of something like that I just don't get it. Lets face it, if your ordering something from the factory why don't you get all the tick boxes?

(In my case the Hyundai Elantra we has back in 2001 didn't have (and you couldn't buy) factory cruise control... WTF?)

[dencar]

I have often wondered about certain accessories and their availability in Australia vs other contries and not just from VW. I can understand that some local laws or compliance issues *could* mean that something isn't available but short of something like that I just don't get it. Lets face it, if your ordering something from the factory why don't you get all the tick boxes?

I have a GTD on order, if it ever comes to OZ. What annoys me is if you look at the German brochure here:
http://www.volkswagen.de/etc/mediali...gtd_200911.pdf

it comes with features like bi-xenons. LED tail-lights and XDS, which are not on the UK version and won't be here, it seems. The GTI should have the lights of the German model as standard. It is all about what the market will bear and product differentiation, I guess.

Edit: It is particularly galling that bi-xenons are available across the range in NZ. Given the uncertainty of my GTD order I would seriously consider an optioned-up 103TDI, but not unless bi-xenons were available.

[ozvino]

Im the last person to defend VW, or any car company, but.....

Our market in Australia is miniscule, its probably not even comparable to a state like California in the US; the more options VW makes available in Australia (incl. colour and gadgets), the more spare parts they need to have around, the more dealer interaction they need to have, technician training etc. Keeping the option list slim makes the whole supply chain a lot easier to manage (they do an average job now...)

In general, sitting in Australia we tend to expect to have the same selection and price for all goods that the Americans and Europeans experience; thats from clothes, to food, to cars and even to infrastructure like roads, air travel, broadband etc etc.

With 22M people sitting on an island at the bottom of the world with the landmass almost the size of Nth America, thats just never going to happen, unless the prices of goods increase dramatically......

Personally i'll take the limited choice at a reasonable price and still enjoy the lifestyle we get to experience in Australia any day....

[turbice]

Yea i tried to ask for bi xenons but not available.
I guess we have to get our own projectors n ebay hids.

Would these Mess with the cars computer?

[pologti18t]

Look at the specs of US models. They have even fewer standard features and options.

The model range is setup to be the most competitive in the market in which it is sold.

The option of bixenons on the volume sellers in the range would mean they would have to both stock spares (a high risk accident damage part) and stock cars with this option. VW have probably decided its not worth it for their 25K-33K Golf range to offer another combination of options.

The only other car in the category that I can think of that offers xenons (low beam) is Subaru and thats wrapped up in a leather/sunroof/xenon package. Easy to stock that.

Yea i tried to ask for bi xenons but not available.
I guess we have to get our own projectors n ebay hids.

They are illegal and ineffective....

[Highlander]

Nice argument but loses some logic when bi xenons are available across the range in New Zealand. Only the landmass argument holds up then.

Im the last person to defend VW, or any car company, but.....

Our market in Australia is miniscule, its probably not even comparable to a state like California in the US; the more options VW makes available in Australia (incl. colour and gadgets), the more spare parts they need to have around, the more dealer interaction they need to have, technician training etc. Keeping the option list slim makes the whole supply chain a lot easier to manage (they do an average job now...)

In general, sitting in Australia we tend to expect to have the same selection and price for all goods that the Americans and Europeans experience; thats from clothes, to food, to cars and even to infrastructure like roads, air travel, broadband etc etc.

With 22M people sitting on an island at the bottom of the world with the landmass almost the size of Nth America, thats just never going to happen, unless the prices of goods increase dramatically......

Personally i'll take the limited choice at a reasonable price and still enjoy the lifestyle we get to experience in Australia any day....

[Maverick]

I posted a query a few weeks ago querying whether Bi-Xenons were available on the new TSI 118, as I had been told by my dealer, that these were not available.

One of the kind boardies answered that they are not, but they are available in NZ:

http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/publish/...10_13Nov09.pdf

I find it odd and indeed a bit annoying that Volkswagen Oz seems to be shortchanging VW buyers in Oz. I can't for the life of me see why they would not be offered in Oz, but would be in NZ. Do we not have as many dark country roads (the main reason I want to buy them) and windy roads? It also seems we Aussies are being short changed by Oz Volkswagen with not being able to have the option of electronic folding rear vision mirrors - an option that is available on a 1990's(!!) Honda HRV that I drive sometimes!

Anyone know why we are being screwed?

C'mon Oz Volkswagen, lift your game!

How are Volkswagen screwing their customers?

NZ has less taxes, far fewer car import laws, regulations and requirements and this is why Volkswagen offer a larger range of cars there like an AWD GT Sport Diesel (mark V).

Adding in bi-xenons to the lower spec cars means stocking additional models, more unhappy customers who either do or don't want bi-xenons and I'm sure they would make up a tiny percentage of sales.

Same with folding rear vision mirrors.

Provide your feedback to Volkswagen and things may change down the track but in the meantime if you don't like it there are other manufacturers out there, most of them have a much more limited range of options.

Consider as well that they sell more Volkswagens in Texas than the whole of Australia.

[JIMMYP]

Maverick, they are screwing us, because there is no logical argument as to why we shouldn't be offered the same options that are offered in NZ.

The "we are a small market" argument quite patently fails - NZ's 4 million vs Oz's 22 million. There is no "road regulations" argument either - the GTI and lots of other cars sold in Australia are offered with Bi-Xenons - there is no prohibition. There is no "more servicing/spare parts" argument - these things equal extra money for VW Australia.

In short we should be offered the same options that our mates across the ditch are offered. That VW Australia has chosen not to do so, is inexcusable.