Can it be true????

**Brycem** · 25-06-2010, 12:29 PM

I don't have access.

In the UK you can just go a website so thought you would be able to do the same here so tried to do so.

I then emailed a chap called Jim Rutherford at Vfacts to ask him where I could find info. on Skoda sales. He kindly emailed me the information I posted on a one off basis. He tells me you need to subscribe and pay to receive the information.

RSwag - I only posted the information I was given by directly by Vfacts and did so as I reckon the correct information should be known. I did not give my interpretation of it. The statistical facts speak for themselves. I have no influence over how Skoda market/sell in Australia. I cancelled a MkVI GTI purchase (far more sensible place to put your money they all tell me) to buy the Octavia because the RS Wagon suits my needs and doesn't have a direct rival in this market. I believe in the product. I have come from a mature Skoda market where 20 years ago they were a laughing stock and slowly they became a respected vehicle. Anyone who knows anything about cars in the UK knows they are a quality vehicle that represent a higher standard of engineering and build than their price point rivals. The same applies equally here and the brand is starting at a much higher base point as there are nowhere near as many preconceptions in existence over here.

What are your concerns? You seem quite caught up in the sales figures.

**selurs** · 25-06-2010, 06:46 PM

Seriously, I'm with Brycem here...it's not a big deal at all. Think about this: 700 cars at $35000 a car (which is very conservative given the best selling Octavia is the RS, and the Superbs start well north of there) works out to almost $25 million! Okay, that's just turnover, but any company doing $25 million a year in turnover isn't doing all that badly. I wish the company *I* worked for was selling that much product! Okay, so it's not Toyota level figures, but no company is going to walk away from that much cash...I really don't think it's anything to worry about. I'd rather think what *I* would do with $25 million.

**RSwag** · 25-06-2010, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by selurs

Seriously, I'm with Brycem here...it's not a big deal at all. Think about this: 700 cars at $35000 a car (which is very conservative given the best selling Octavia is the RS, and the Superbs start well north of there) works out to almost $25 million! Okay, that's just turnover, but any company doing $25 million a year in turnover isn't doing all that badly. I wish the company *I* worked for was selling that much product! Okay, so it's not Toyota level figures, but no company is going to walk away from that much cash...I really don't think it's anything to worry about. I'd rather think what *I* would do with $25 million.

I think you would find that at $25 million turn over they would not be viable given the staff, infrastructure, transport (international and national) along with dealer support needed for all start ups, they are very lucky they have VW taking the brunt of the poor results. As a stand alone they wouldn't be round for much longer, i guess that is irrelevant though, they do have VW in the corner supporting and they will survive for that precise reason.

Brycem i agree whole heartedly about the product and it's superiority, this is where i find these sort of figures hard to swallow. I did buy a VW but i would honestly prefer to be the one with the badge that doesn't represent the kind of "semi-prestigious" w#$k factor that it is starting to portray. It is b all accounts the smarter choice but when it came to forking out the dollars i couldn't risk being left with something that is worth less than nothing in 3 years because it was still in the self imposed "start up mode".

I hope this is the tipping point and they can make up ground quickly with the new wagon, new engines and the much needed pricing restructure. Although some would disagree i have a keen interest in seeing them move beyond a unknown comical brand.

**Jake02** · 27-06-2010, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by RSwag

I think you would find that at $25 million turn over they would not be viable given the staff, infrastructure, transport (international and national) along with dealer support needed for all start ups, they are very lucky they have VW taking the brunt of the poor results. As a stand alone they wouldn't be round for much longer, i guess that is irrelevant though, they do have VW in the corner supporting and they will survive for that precise reason.

Brycem i agree whole heartedly about the product and it's superiority, this is where i find these sort of figures hard to swallow. I did buy a VW but i would honestly prefer to be the one with the badge that doesn't represent the kind of "semi-prestigious" w#$k factor that it is starting to portray. It is b all accounts the smarter choice but when it came to forking out the dollars i couldn't risk being left with something that is worth less than nothing in 3 years because it was still in the self imposed "start up mode".

I hope this is the tipping point and they can make up ground quickly with the new wagon, new engines and the much needed pricing restructure. Although some would disagree i have a keen interest in seeing them move beyond a unknown comical brand.

I'm sorry but I think that you are so pessimistic about Skoda Australia because you don't even own one, being a Golf Wagon owner and all. Skoda Australia's sales are slowly climbing. Yes they have more models and a better range, and that's why sales are slowly on the up. Skoda themselves have said all they are looking for is growth, and that's what they're getting and that's why I'm happy for them. Yes, I'd love to see more on the road, yes I'd love to see the Yeti, Fabia and Roomster (once again) on our shores, yes I'd love to see Skoda actually advertising their own cars for more than just the new period of a model. I know all of these things will come eventually so right now I'm taking everything in and going with the flow.

I know it keeps coming up, but this forum has discussed the sales part many, many times. Yes they're not selling as many as they should, but it's a bit old now. From now on, I only want good sales reports! The average per month is getting higher as well

.

**RSwag** · 01-07-2010, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Jake02

I'm sorry but I think that you are so pessimistic about Skoda Australia because you don't even own one, being a Golf Wagon owner and all.

From now on, I only want good sales reports! The average per month is getting higher as well

.

I would love nothing more than Skoda to see the growth and fortune it deserves, but the fact remains it will not happen anytime soon. Even the die hards on here believe it is not good enough to find traction in this country for another 5 years +, what hope does it really have???

Given the cold hard fact (thats vfacts) has it pegged around 50% down from its annual volume of 2009 (which was a dismal 1200 odd) then don't expect your "positive news" anytime soon, in fact stop looking at the figures all together if i were you Jake!!

**brad** · 02-07-2010, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by RSwag

I would love nothing more than Skoda to see the growth and fortune it deserves, but the fact remains it will not happen anytime soon. Even the die hards on here believe it is not good enough to find traction in this country for another 5 years +, what hope does it really have???

Brands come & brands go. I remember the early days of Toyota & Datsun and toyota was what tightwads bought & Datsun had a reputation for being made of recycled sardine cans. I remember when Bondy started bringing in Hyundai & what appalling heaps of poo they were (but they were cheap) and a few of the other korean brands (daewoo, ssangyong, etc). I also remember when people thought that BMC were pretty good & were buying them like nobodies business (and Chrysler too, come to think of it). And everyone seems to forget what unreliable pieces of dung the original Subarus were too. I'd guess it took Subaru about 10 years to get established, hyundai about 15 years. There are plenty of other brands still trying to establish themselves (Renault has been trying for 40 years) and i think Skoda has a better chance than most.

I'm still not sure why buyers with long term ownership intentions are concerned about resale - after 5 years the car has pretty well bottomed out & you've lost about 70-80% of the original value anyway - no matter what the brand.

**Brycem** · 02-07-2010, 05:25 PM

RSWag,

stop trotting out incorrect Vfacts! The sales are up - see my previous figures.

Your comments are unhelpful. You don't own a Skoda so why don't you focus your energies on the Golf forum.

You don't find me on the Golf Forum questioning Mexican build quality or dubious rear end styling of the golf wagon.

Brad's comments are spot on!

**noone** · 02-07-2010, 05:50 PM

If you ask me (yes, I know you didn't), the main issue with Skoda is the naming.

It sound pretty, but I don't want to have to say I drive a 'Superb' or a 'Roomster'. The Octavia is not so bad, but for a brand with a new badge to the country, did no one see the issue with strange naming that may be offputting?

I'm sure some will think this silly, but those sales are dismal for a brand that is using the same parts and engines as VW and Audi, especially when they are cheaper...