Skoda Sales

[VAG newbie]

VW Australia own Skoda Australia, as a result, they decide what models, the pricing, servicing and the marketing strategy for Skoda.
VW Australia will not aggressively promote the Skoda brand when they have their own to sell.
Everywhere else (worldwide), Skoda does their own thing, governed by VWaG.
Here, Skoda can't do their own thing. They do as per VW Aus.
As long as this is the case, don't expect to see Skoda up there with strong sales in Australia.

Actually if we look from another angle. Skoda's boosted up its number at the end of last year by registering lots of demos. So many of the sales this year would have been those demo's which didn't count into the stat. So in reality, there must be more sales this year cmpare to last year. May be not 200% more, but 50% maybe?

[brad]

Actually if we look from another angle. Skoda's boosted up its number at the end of last year by registering lots of demos. So many of the sales this year would have been those demo's which didn't count into the stat. So in reality, there must be more sales this year cmpare to last year. May be not 200% more, but 50% maybe?

You can't have it both ways. The tally is the number of registrations. If Skoda chooses to skew the figure in 2011 by registering lots of demos & executive vehicles then you can't change the goalposts & count when they were sold as a used vehicle/demo.

The numbers are what they are.

[Buzy_Robot]

This year I'll be replacing my current Passat and was seriously considering the Superb, but the following commentary over at CarSales is quite off-putting:

The car that took out the TB (True Battler) gong is one we actually like a lot and one that has received more than a little praise from motoring journalists around the country. But with just 653 sold for the year, confronting looks and a brand name that either continues to be mistrusted or remains an unknown quantity in the marketplace, the TB in the large car segment is the Skoda Superb.

The wooden spooners of 2012

[brad]

I don't think the edepreciation could be any worse than a Calais, Statesman or G6E (or whatever Ford call the Fairmont these days).

Try the car, if you like it, buy it.

[Buzy_Robot]

Hi Brad - I actually wasn't thinking of depreciation at all, to be honest. Although now that you mention it, that could certainly be an issue for some. I'd read this post and then the CarSales article which confirms the image problem which seems to be festering too often for the Skoda Superb. A crying shame given how good it is, but when one factors in pricing and features in relation to the MY13 Passat, it really doesn't hold enough sway to entice me. Is a reversing camera even available as an option on the Superb?! Some seriously skewed thinking by VW Australia when it comes to the Skoda Superb.

[Yao]

I've long resigned myself to the fact theat the resale value on my Superb is going to be nothing to write home about. But that's three years away when my lease is up. In the meantime, I am going to do my best to absolutely enjoy my car which, I must say, is err, Superb

[Albervin]

This year I'll be replacing my current Passat and was seriously considering the Superb, but the following commentary over at CarSales is quite off-putting:

The car that took out the TB (True Battler) gong is one we actually like a lot and one that has received more than a little praise from motoring journalists around the country. But with just 653 sold for the year, confronting looks and a brand name that either continues to be mistrusted or remains an unknown quantity in the marketplace, the TB in the large car segment is the Skoda Superb.

The wooden spooners of 2012

When I drove out of my workplace yesterday, 2 people called out "Nice car". Both young (20 ish) men. The Superb wagon is IMHO one of the better looking medium/large cars on the road. I am afraid the same cannot necessarily be said of the sedan.

[VAG newbie]

Hi Brad - I actually wasn't thinking of depreciation at all, to be honest. Although now that you mention it, that could certainly be an issue for some. I'd read this post and then the CarSales article which confirms the image problem which seems to be festering too often for the Skoda Superb. A crying shame given how good it is, but when one factors in pricing and features in relation to the MY13 Passat, it really doesn't hold enough sway to entice me. Is a reversing camera even available as an option on the Superb?! Some seriously skewed thinking by VW Australia when it comes to the Skoda Superb.

No, you can't get a RVC as a factory option although it is easy to get a third party one and make it look like a factory one. It will have problems and that's why I'm on a campaign to make RVC compulsory.

You are right, in terms of value for money, Passat is probably better than Superb, which is hard to understand.

But if you take a look at the Superb, it is way bigger than a Passat and the ambience is far more luxurious. So I guess that's how VWa is justifying its cost. Ie, the car is one size/class up, thus more expensive.

What I can tell you though, is it is amazingly practical with its huge boot and the twin door system. So when it comes to loading luggage, you'll really appreciate it. I was very fed up with the lack of RVC and was thinking of getting a Passat next time. But when I loaded the luggages of 3 friends coming from USA, I was pleased that I got the Superb. They were all amazed how big the trunk was and surprised that all their luggage fit! They called it "supersize trunk"!

And besides the badge, the Superb looks really upmarket.

[aware]

Already posted this in the Octavia thread, but thought I'd put it here as well.

Another article on Carsales: Who is Skoda?

[2009fsi]

Already posted this in the Octavia thread, but thought I'd put it here as well.

Another article on Carsales: Who is Skoda?

A lot of truth in there some won't like. I also question the value Skoda is getting out of big budget sponsorships. Sponsoring GWS AFL team must be costing a fortune, but who is watching? Not many in Sydney, that's for sure. As for sponsoring the lycra set big time in Australia, I think this has much more to do with Global exposure than as an effective strategy in Australia. While I like & follow cycling, mostly on Fox's Eurosport channel, being the snails behind the pack in an event which has struggled for coverage & profile in Australia for years, I doubt it is catching the eye of anyone but the already informed.
It would be cheaper to put a fleet of brightly coloured corporate cars on the road driving around with big SKODA logos right up the side. Do what Ford & Holden did for years & just bribe a few journos to do stories in print & on TV about the "Skoda flying circus". How much can it cost to sling their missus/mother/daughter/son a free car for a year?

BTW, Did anyone else notice Czech tennis players being labeled "Quirky" by my favourite tranquiliser, Bwuce, during Ch7 tennis coverage? Quirkiness seems to be spreading like a virus to anything Czech.