No more Skoda dealers in WA

[mrx]

Personally I would avoid the dealership for servicing, there are other independents that are cheaper and provide better service, and are actually interested in what they are doing. Warranty work, yeah, you're screwed for that and have to go to a dealer.

[VW Convert]

Of course OP might be going to be replaced by a new Skoda dealer in Perth (I hope so, for our WA members sakes at least).

If Skoda are to retain any credibility appointing a new dealer would have to be a priority. Things are difficult for dealers at the moment and Skoda sales volume would appear to be insufficient to justify a stand alone dealership. I wonder whether VAG would consider its products being sold through a multi franchise dealer? I have my doubts that they would.

Cheers

George

[brad]

I wonder whether VAG would consider its products being sold through a multi franchise dealer? I have my doubts that they would.

AFAIK, they already sell via multi-franchise.

In Sydney:

• The guy on parramatta rd sells Mitsubishi.
• The Penrith Nepean Group (are they still operating?) sold 8 (?) other marques.
• The Campbelltown dealers sells VW, Holden, Mitsubishi, Hyundai

I don't think there are any "stand alone" Skoda dealerships...... or have I misunderstood the concept?

[VW Convert]

AFAIK, they already sell via multi-franchise.

In Sydney:

• The guy on parramatta rd sells Mitsubishi.
• The Penrith Nepean Group (are they still operating?) sold 8 (?) other marques.
• The Campbelltown dealers sells VW, Holden, Mitsubishi, Hyundai

I don't think there are any "stand alone" Skoda dealerships...... or have I misunderstood the concept?

I must admit I wasn't aware of that Brad. If Skoda already deal through multi franchises it would make it less of a task to find a new WA dealer. I wonder if OPVW are planning to integrate Skoda sales into the VW dealership also?

Cheers

George

[mrx]

The Osborne Park dealership consists of a Subaru & VW dealership right next door to each other (sharing the same service/parts department). The Skoda dealership was an annex a few hundred metres up the road, with a showroom only. It is part of the AHG group which sells pretty much everything.

[gregozedobe]

In Canberra Lennocks sell Nissans, VWs, Skodas and Used cars. They have adjacent new car showrooms for Nissan and VW, with one service dept. Skodas were sold out of the Used Cars "Office", but have recently moved to a separate showroom about 300M down the road, which they share with Jaguar/Land Rover.

[mrgolf]

VW Aus wont allow a situation to occur where servicing and parts are not available for a brand they are still trying to grow. The dealership may be closing down, but as others have suggested, another dealership will open up, or VW will look after the WA owners.

[brad]

VW Aus wont allow a situation to occur where servicing and parts are not available for a brand they are still trying to grow. The dealership may be closing down, but as others have suggested, another dealership will open up, or VW will look after the WA owners.

How many years do you think they can afford to sell ~60 cars a month? IIRC Puegeot reckon 200 per month was the rollover point where the cost of business/marketing etc amortised big time & profits started to grow exponentially. Below that & you were treading water.

I noticed the advertising has started to mention "Volkswagen Technology" which they appeared to be avoiding at the start.

[mrgolf]

I agree, but VW didnt launch the car just to pull it because sales were affected by a global downturn. VW are in for the long haul. I would say that the current level of sales will prolly linger for a few more years so they can see how sales will go in a normal market. VW have invested a lot of money to bring the product here. They wont write the money off til they are able to be sure a normal market wont support the product. VW is still a growing brand in Australia at the moment, supporting the theory that Australians are looking for smaller quality euro-ish cars. While there is demand, there is hope. Skoda just needs a small foothold.

Either way, VW brought the brand to Australia unlike Seat in the 90's. When Seat folded, there was no one to back up the brand with parts because it was a private importer. VW are responsible for the car, so ongoing support is in the bag while ever VW is on sale in Australia.

[faisan]

In Canberra Lennocks sell Nissans, VWs, Skodas and Used cars. They have adjacent new car showrooms for Nissan and VW, with one service dept. Skodas were sold out of the Used Cars "Office", but have recently moved to a separate showroom about 300M down the road, which they share with Jaguar/Land Rover.

Funnily enough, Skoda was next door to Nissan here in WA too. It was Skoda, Hyundai, and Nissan sharing a big lot.