Register of unhappy Polo purchasers awaiting delivery...

[Car25]

Can we think of some specific actions we can take? I'm thinking here of brainstorming all ideas and then deciding which may actually make a difference. If we started with 10 ideas then implemented, say, 4...one may actually get through to those who actually matter.

[noone]

World car of the year will only sell 30-35 vehicles per month around the country?! You have to be kidding me!!

Is that the actual VWA forecast or what we are allocated? Aust is pretty low on the priority list, we move very few units compared to other countries

[dave_r]

Making VWA aware of your concerns can make a difference. Many of us voiced our issue directly to VWA when they announced early last year that the Golf R would be available in 5 door only. That decision was reversed and we all got our 3 doors. Might have been a stunt etc but we complained and they responded.

However they can't do much about delivery delays in a short space of time. Demand is increasing and they need to secure more stock from Germany. But doesn't seem to be exclusive to AU. Once the models go on sale in the USA, things will only get worse I suspect.

From memory I waited Apr/May to Sep for the Polo and May/June to Dec for the R. I said plenty of times that I'd vote with my feet and go elsewhere but the reality was, elsewhere meant accepting an inferior product I didn't really want.

So by all means write a letter but don't expect a result in the near future, it just isn't that easy.

[gavs]

From memory I waited Apr/May to Sep for the Polo and May/June to Dec for the R. I said plenty of times that I'd vote with my feet and go elsewhere but the reality was, elsewhere meant accepting an inferior product I didn't really want.

Dave, you have hit the nail fair and square on the head. If I wanted a car that would fall apart and catch fire, while in the process of not being as good to drive, or as fast, as a Polo GTI, I would buy the Alfa MiTo sport model, Suzuki Swift sport is nowhere near the Polo in terms of performance of refinement, the Peugeot 207, my GF has one and the french are kidding when they say all their models are "sporting in their dynamic setup".

I want a Polo GTI, simple as that, but when the dealers aren't being helped by Head Office to make that happen, I am going to ask head office "Why not?", simple as that.

[pologti18t]

You mention that VWA do a sales forcast. That is correct, but they have a flog doing it because they keep screwing it up!! World car of the year will only sell 30-35 vehicles per month around the country?! You have to be kidding me!!

How can they supply a "sales forecast" when then is no such thing as a standard spec Polo GTI?

They need to prune the options list and reduce the number of possible build combinations. Only then will VWA be able to take a gamble on what cars to forward order (without a direct customer order).

2 suggestions: Ditch the factory fit rcd510 upgrade (make it dealer fit). Make the comfortpack standard or ditch it.

[dave_r]

I am going to ask head office "Why not?", simple as that.

Yep and fair enough. It's better than complaining on a forum where nothing could be done. But don't expect miracles when you do.

[Car25]

The idea "They need to prune the options list and reduce the number of possible build combinations" makes a lot of sense if combined with more capacity to "do stuff" at the dealer end.

[GTI JOE]

I have a slightly different tac. Rather than send a complaint about production numbers for POLO GTIs to VGA (who are inept), I went straight to "El Capitano", the CEO of the Volkswagen Group Mr Martin Winterkorn. He can be reached at martin.winterkorn@audi.de . The following is what I sent:

Dear Martin,

I am writing to you today to try to obtain an answer as to why there is such a delay in production of Polo GTIs for Australia. I have approached Volkswagen Australia and they have advised me that the delay is due to the Wolfsburg Headquarters in Germany not allowing them to submit their orders until certain production requirements are established. There are many unhappy customers here in Australia that find these extreme delays totally unacceptable, and I know of many who have cancelled their orders. I ordered my Polo GTI in early December 2010 and do not have a build date, let alone a delivery date. Would you be able to advise me on when production runs for Australia will be commencing? as Volkswagen Australia do not know and somehow think that estimated delivery dates will be around August-September 2011. I am certain you agree that this is a very long time to wait for a car. Any assistance or information would be greatly appreciated.

For your information, my order is still with Volkswagen Australia and has not changed status on their database. The Polo GTI is a great vehicle and I am very much looking forward to owning one, whenever it arrives, hopefully sooner than later.

Hope this gets the ball rolling, at least have a go

[MYGTI']

I have a slightly different tac. Rather than send a complaint about production numbers for POLO GTIs to VGA (who are inept), I went straight to "El Capitano", the CEO of the Volkswagen Group Mr Martin Winterkorn. He can be reached at martin.winterkorn@audi.de . The following is what I sent:

Dear Martin,

I am writing to you today to try to obtain an answer as to why there is such a delay in production of Polo GTIs for Australia. I have approached Volkswagen Australia and they have advised me that the delay is due to the Wolfsburg Headquarters in Germany not allowing them to submit their orders until certain production requirements are established. There are many unhappy customers here in Australia that find these extreme delays totally unacceptable, and I know of many who have cancelled their orders. I ordered my Polo GTI in early December 2010 and do not have a build date, let alone a delivery date. Would you be able to advise me on when production runs for Australia will be commencing? as Volkswagen Australia do not know and somehow think that estimated delivery dates will be around August-September 2011. I am certain you agree that this is a very long time to wait for a car. Any assistance or information would be greatly appreciated.

For your information, my order is still with Volkswagen Australia and has not changed status on their database. The Polo GTI is a great vehicle and I am very much looking forward to owning one, whenever it arrives, hopefully sooner than later.

Hope this gets the ball rolling, at least have a go

Good Work! Keep us updated.

[gavs]

GTI Joe, that is a good method, if teh CEO gets inundated with complaint letters from "Ze far off southern land" who he personally earmarked as a major growth market for VW, including Commercial vehicles, we might get a decent answer...... Maybe.....