No more Skoda dealers in WA

**mrx** · 05-05-2009, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by faisan

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

Not part of the same dealership though.

**faisan** · 06-05-2009, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by mrx

Not part of the same dealership though.

Arent they all AHG?

**mrx** · 06-05-2009, 08:47 AM

As far as I understand it the dealerships are still individually owned but come under the AHG umbrella. Much like Auto One stores are individually owned but get together for greater buying power.

Janetto Holdings (I think it's called) owns Subaru, VW & Skoda Osborne Park & I think they might also own the new Gnangara dealership.

**geoff_gti** · 06-05-2009, 10:33 PM

I've seen a couple of those new ads in various bus bays as well - http://eatmyhat.com.au/
I'd expect any of the VW dealers could pick up servicing duties, or the specialists as well.

**mrx** · 07-05-2009, 11:28 AM

Yeah, I've seen the ads on the bus shelters too. Seems strange they would start advertising just as the brand disappears? I wouldn't be surprised if another dealership pops up in the near future.

I wonder if Skoda Australia know Osb. Park has pulled the pin?! They still list them as a dealer on the website.

**davidh** · 08-05-2009, 02:50 PM

I phoned Skoda's Australian headquarters after frustrations with the Osborne Park dealership, and they said they were trying to open up a new dealership in June/July, which will hopefully coincide with the Superb.
Various "Skoda" salesmen at VW Osborne Park over the past month have told me:
1. They will only sell 2008 models, not 2009
2. I am wasting my time looking at Skoda because they have poor resale value
3. Skoda should only ever have imported the Fabia to Australia
4. I should be looking at a Jetta or Passat
5. They hate dealing with Skoda headquarters because they get no support or information

They did not tell me the dealership was being dropped. I found that out separately. And the local newspapers are advertising the new 7speed DSG Octavia (2009) even though they refuse to sell it.

I don't agree with anything the dealer has said, but as someone wanting to buy a Skoda in the next few months, it is making my life difficult and worrying.

**brad** · 08-05-2009, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by davidh

Various "Skoda" salesmen at VW Osborne Park over the past month have told me:
1. They will only sell 2008 models, not 2009
2. I am wasting my time looking at Skoda because they have poor resale value
3. Skoda should only ever have imported the Fabia to Australia
4. I should be looking at a Jetta or Passat
5. They hate dealing with Skoda headquarters because they get no support or information

.

1) Stock situation seems all over the shop.
2) How would anyone know? The number that have been bought & subsequently sold would be statistically unreliable.
3) Maybe
4) Well, maybe if you want a sedan or a substantially bigger wagon. If you want a Golf with a bigger hatch area & full size spare..... Octavia!
5) That's probably a fair comment. I get the same feedback consistenly & experienced the same thing myself. Head Office are hopeless.

**davidh** · 08-05-2009, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by brad

1) Stock situation seems all over the shop.
2) How would anyone know? The number that have been bought & subsequently sold would be statistically unreliable.
3) Maybe
4) Well, maybe if you want a sedan or a substantially bigger wagon. If you want a Golf with a bigger hatch area & full size spare..... Octavia!
5) That's probably a fair comment. I get the same feedback consistenly & experienced the same thing myself. Head Office are hopeless.

I recognise points 1 and 5 are realistic pain points, which is part of my concern. I think point 2 is a ridiculous comment given there are hardly any 2nd hand ones on the market and they are all priced quite close to new ones. The salesman was trying to put me off Skoda, and believed based on the first year of stats that you would have to keep it for 10 years.

On points 3 and 4, I am waiting for the Superb, which is as far from a Fabia as you can get.

**geoff_gti** · 09-05-2009, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by geoff_gti

I've seen a couple of those new ads in various bus bays as well - http://eatmyhat.com.au/
I'd expect any of the VW dealers could pick up servicing duties, or the specialists as well.

Do those headlights on the new Octavia look frighteningly like a Holden Epica to anyone else?