Skoda brolly - a useless accessory?

**Yao** · 06-11-2012, 02:00 PM

Is it only me, or does anyone else find the location of the brolly a bit stupid? Got caught in the rain today and thought I could use it, but soon realised I'd get a lot wetter having to run around the car to the rear passenger side to get it than I would if I simply made a dash for it.

Its location seems to be more designed for those who are being chauffeur-driven, rather than for the use of the driver, or for that matter even the front passenger.

At this rate, it will still be in pristine condition and its plastic wrapping come time to sell in a few years' time. Might convince someone to buy it

**VAG newbie** · 07-11-2012, 09:42 AM

It is designed for those being chauffeur-driven.

Mine is still in brand new in plastic wrap. You can't sell it though because you will need it during resale time. No umbrella might cost you $100's in resale!

Not really useless. You will need it on one of those days when you didn't bring your umbrella but it's pouring rain and you need to walk for a fair distance.

**Shakey** · 07-11-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Yao

Is it only me, or does anyone else find the location of the brolly a bit stupid? Got caught in the rain today and thought I could use it, but soon realised I'd get a lot wetter having to run around the car to the rear passenger side to get it than I would if I simply made a dash for it.

Its location seems to be more designed for those who are being chauffeur-driven, rather than for the use of the driver, or for that matter even the front passenger.

At this rate, it will still be in pristine condition and its plastic wrapping come time to sell in a few years' time. Might convince someone to buy it

It's in the left hand passengers door because they produce far more left hand drive Skodas than right hand drive. Being left hand drive it's close enough for the driver to hop out and obtain the brolly for himself and his passenger. Production costs (Re tooling etc) prohibit moving such a simple hole to suit Australian conditions. You are however right....it should have been placed in the drivers door like other euro cars.

**brad** · 07-11-2012, 11:23 AM

Similar in usefulness to the Alfa Romeo (?) built in briefcase & the corded mobile phones in late '80s BMWs.

Must be plenty of other examples that look good on the sales brochure but in reality are never used?

**Lindsay** · 07-11-2012, 08:20 PM

It seems the old Passat had it in a better spot, in the drivers door. Although you do still have to open the door in the rain to get at it

**Tigger** · 08-11-2012, 06:33 AM

I was a real fan of the passat umbrella holder!

I reckon that is one of the smartest inventions and design thought in a car for ages!!

It saves the interior getting all wet from the soggy folded up umbrella.

I beleive they have now deleted that feature in the latest passats?

**Lindsay** · 08-11-2012, 05:22 PM

Yeah for some reason they have deleted it from the new Passat

It is far from a new concept though, my RB Gemini SL/E had extra large front door pockets with drains specifically designed for wet umbrellas. I used to tip the ice cubes out of my takeaway drink cup into them

**Transporter** · 09-11-2012, 07:38 AM

Blame those who made the decision in the past to drive on the wrong side of the road.

It's similar to metric vs. imperial units, only 2 countries in the world didn't accept it.

**Mickyb** · 09-11-2012, 08:06 AM

that's a pretty nifty feature !
I wonder if outlaw motorcycle gangs have caught onto this and have started to buy blacked fully tinted Superbs ! - ideal to place a well hidden sawn-off shotty !