Skoda Auto Sales in Australia via vfacts

[Skoda Convert]

Just got my copy of vfacts for January and it appears the picture ain't so rosey for the Czech boys.


Skoda Octavia 37
Skoda Octavia Scout 8
Skoda Roomster 3
Skoda Superb 0

48 new cars in total for Australia but the amazing thing is the Superb. As you all know this just won Top Gear luxury car of the year awards. Clarkson and the boys couldn't fault it against the competition and yet it didn't even trouble the scorer here.

Don't know what to make of it................................................ ....

[Inego]

Gee, one of 8 sales nationwide....

Is stock availbility an issue with these sales? I agree that the Superb figures don't look good, having seen more Superbs than Octavias at my dealer in Jan. As long as the Octy goes well, a Superb will be on my shortlist for next car, given the rear legroom.

Kent

[brad]

Just got my copy of vfacts for January and it appears the picture ain't so rosey for the Czech boys.

Do you have 2009 Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec?

[Skoda Convert]

Hi brad,

November i had posted as 136 nationally so they are going well back when they should be going well forward. I would have also thought with all those cars registered for the bike tour in Jan this figure would have been a lot higher, maybe saving them for Feb??

As for the other months i am not sure, i only really take notice when there is an anomally either greater or smaller so in hindsight they were all roughly around that 150-200 mark so 48 was a shock.

Maybe someone else can shed light on the previous months?

[Skoda Convert]

Skoda Octavia 68
Skoda Octavia Scout 8
Skoda Roomster 0
Skoda Superb 12
Skoda Total 88


It appeasr i took 2009 figures instead of 2010, these ones are correct. Don't give a whole lot more confidecne as they are still down but it is 50% better than the original figures i put up.

[bobski]

Gee, one of 8 sales nationwide....

Is stock availbility an issue with these sales?

Kent

Yeah good question. If we have to wait in line for Octavias to be built, they must have either a very small allocation of them being shipped, or they are ordering straight from the factory?

I would imagine that not being able to get the car for 4 months would turn a lot of buyers off.

[Inego]

I would imagine that not being able to get the car for 4 months would turn a lot of buyers off.

I know it would have me - having to wait until April would have sent me back into the hands of a Subaru dealer. I'd only gone to look at Skodas once more as there were no Outbacks around at the end of Nov last year.

I was was speaking with a mate last night who's just ordered an Octavia wagon, having test driven both it and the Golf wagon during the week. And, apart from talking about having bought a Skoda myself I hadn't said much else to him.

I had mentioned my DPF issues - they've ordered a 118TSi....

Kent

[RSwag]

Gee, one of 8 sales nationwide....

Is stock availbility an issue with these sales?
Kent

There seemed to be heaps of the standard octavia around and the Superb but RS wagon is a little scarse but all in all you wouldn't struggle to get into a car if you are felxible on options but most of the cars at the dealer i cancelled my order with were basic, no leather or sunroofs etc.

It may not be a supply issue but maybe the dealers can advise us on this if they are happy commenting on such matters??

[K1W1]

From what I can gather Skoda Australia are not holding any stock and as most of the dealers are small or small parts of larger dealerships they are not able or prepared to carry large volumes of stock therefore cars are only ordered once they are sold and the 3-4 month wait begins. I'm sure that as sales increase Skoda Australia will look at carrying an inventory of popular combinations which will mean dealers can buy from it and deliver within a week or so and ultimately the concept of dealer swaps will happen where a dealer can swap with or buy a vehicle from another dealer. Both these things are common in well established brands including other VAG brands.

I have a mate who is Financial Controller at a large multi franchise Japanese dealer. They carry up to 800 vehicles in stock in their dealerships and holding yards and even for them they still get customers who want particular combinations that they can't fulfil from stock so what hope does the average Skoda dealer with maybe 10-12 cars have of satisfying the demand for instant gratification.

[Inego]

satisfying the demand for instant gratification.

Are you calling me shallow?

It doesn't make Skoda's job easier, however, when a some models aren't a leader in any particular area against their competitors and then you've got to wait for months to actually get the car. Not the case with the Superb (although why isn't it selling better), but the non- VRs Octavia is up against the Golf/Golf Wagon, and the Scout is a hard call against the Outback for a lot of people.

Kent