octavia wagon to new passat wagon impressions

[dArK5HaD0w]

Interesting take on the VAG conflict, I didn't think VWA rans Skoda Aus though (not saying they don't, just wasn't aware of that.

VWA control every bit Skoda in Australia
they control the prices, models, variants, options, stocks, marketing, servicing, dealers and even the skoda website!!!

it is in every interest for VW that Skoda does not do well here. australia is not big enough for skoda to take away sales from VW.

[nyc863]

sounds similar to yours with half the kms. tint roof rack petrol wagon in blue with sunroof. no extended warranty, though however I heard that is of no value to a dealer only private sale.

[99_FGT]

Well, when you do get it to market let me know (or before )
Al..

[woofy]

Warranty is a pretty big factor, it will always get a better price as there is always the peace of mind with it. One of the major causes for cars to take a second dive in resale prices is the end of the 3 yr mark when most expire.

[k_rider]

it is in every interest for VW that Skoda does not do well here. australia is not big enough for skoda to take away sales from VW.

Not disputing what you're saying, but it kind of begs the question, "why then did they bother re-introducing Skoda back into Australia in 2007?" Even though it's highly unlikely that Skoda will ever outsell VW in Australia, it is always a possibility and it would have to be assumed VWA understood this at the time.

Surely any business model suggests that you shift as much of your product as you possibly can, so it is in their interests for the brand to do well. I take your point that the way VWA is treating Skoda (and their customers) suggests otherwise. VWA must also have known that getting Skoda to do well here would always be an uphill battle, given the brand's Eastern Bloc history and the average Aussie's conservative approach to automotive brand selection. Why take the risk then? I guess someone in VWA or the greater global VAG organisation knows what they were thinking!

[brad]

k-rider
This happens all the time. Somebody at international head office gets a bright idea. The regional office can see that it will work but will affect their bonus, so they nod their head & take on the task & let it break even one year, make a profit the next, lose money the one after that. Keep it on life support long enough for most of the upper managerial staff to turn over (which has now happened) and then the new guys point the finger at the old ones & the people at head office & recommend the operation be shut down or an injection of funds & increased "incentive" (bonuses) to staff. So it limps along a few more years until finally it either grows organically or dies.

You'll notice that whenever Skoda is starting to kick goals, something happens to slow them down, either reduced marketing budget or a price rise or something obvious. Vw will always be the family favourite in Australia, Skoda will just be the smart kid from next door that the family had to take in because it's parents didn't want it anymore.

[dArK5HaD0w]

VAG did not reintroduce skoda into australia with the goal of achieving high sales.
they sell millions of skodas world-wide. australia is just another market they'd like to get some numbers in their books.
they have VW in australia as their main source, followed by audi. skoda is just the "choc chip equivalent" that goes into a muffin/cake.

it just so happens that VAG asked (and naturally expected) VWA to bring Skoda in under its management in australia, instead of paying some other imported to bring & sell skodas.
over in new zealand, skoda's are brought in by some european importer (exact name skips me now). hence why they get all the goodies/options on their models. they don't care cutting into VW's cake.

[99_FGT]

I also like the idea that there seems to be this thought that VW drivers are treated any better than Skoda by VWA.
Don't worry, if you believe all you read, it is not the case...