Skoda marketing

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Originally Posted by K1W1

Does anybody remember the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show? One lonely dirty, battered Scout (that Scout Around Australia one) on some rocks behind a barrier in the corner of the VW stand. When I asked about Skodas I was politely told to find a dealer in the phone book because the person i asked knew nothing about them.

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I was at the Melbourne Motor Show in 2009 - they had more than a Scout there. There were a couple of Octavias, and a Superb sedan. I'll admit it wasn't the biggest display, but considering their range at the time they had all they needed. We asked a bit about the Octavia there and the guys weren't too bad.

The day I went they didn't. The Octavia was one of the cars I went to see.

I thought FTG Skoda was part of Burwin or Barloworld?

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Originally Posted by BlackOctaviaRS

I was at the Melbourne Motor Show in 2009 - they had more than a Scout there. There were a couple of Octavias, and a Superb sedan. I'll admit it wasn't the biggest display, but considering their range at the time they had all they needed. We asked a bit about the Octavia there and the guys weren't too bad.

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I agree. We went down for the motorshow (as last year was Melbourne's turn for motorshows) and were pleasantly surprised with the FL normal Octavias and a Superb saloon. I was angry not to see a Roomster though :(.

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Originally Posted by sh|tbmxrider

I thought FTG Skoda was part of Burwin or Barloworld?

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It was part of FTG Holden which is owned by Barloworld.

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Originally Posted by Bayford Skoda

It was part of FTG Holden which is owned by Barloworld.

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Since when?
AFAIK it's owned by the same group of guys who purchased it from Michael Mooney and Vern Festini before it went broke (again) in 1994. At that stage Greg Cotton owned FTG Holden and it's had a couple of owners after than before ending up in Barloworlds hands.

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Originally Posted by Bayford Skoda

It was part of FTG Holden which is owned by Barloworld.

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The industry is a small one.... Round and round the merry-go-round we go..... (both Dealer groups, and people that work in them...)

From what I remember of my dealings with FTG Skoda they were part of FTG Holden (and the SKoda bit was dumped in the midst of the FTG holden used car lot, and the whole place was owned by Barloworld. Doesn't matter now, they truly sucked, the "Skoda" guys were the used car yard guys and had no clue. If you put S$%T in you get it out as well....so no wonder it went nowhere.

If they put Skoda at the Mulgrave VW/Holden it would do well as Subie etc are nearby and people tend to wander from that camp. But it's probably way to close competition for them to do that. That is the problem at the car show as well, how do you justify Jettas when the Octavia and Superb are sitting next to them. They need a dedicated Skoda guy there and some separation-The Syd show should be interesting.

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Originally Posted by aslsw

I think it was the dealer.

I was just impressed as it gives people an opportunity to get up and close with a Skoda. It's one thing to see them on the road, but people have to be able to see inside, sit inside and feel the quality of them.

It also puts Skoda above the normal boring car ie. never see a Ford or Holden in the shopping malls.

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I would have thought shopping centre promotions are a bit down-market for a so-called luxury brand?
Most people who frequent them would be a bit sub-prime, imho.

At Knox where i mentioned, it would actually fit in with the people who visit there.....middle class/wealthy bogan (think "the shire)...therein lies the challenge though..