People are saying the Yeti 103TDI will be priced around $40K in Vic, I have read here it will be priced around $36K.
Why is there so much difference?
First drive: Skoda Yeti
You missED my point. NZ is a completely different market and it therefore doesn't apply here. Skoda Australia sold 238 cars last month after almost four years here, a figure that we consider to be small, but slowly improving. Skoda New Zealand has sold around 50 cars a month since its launch in 2003 in a market where the Suzuki Swift selling almost 3,000 cars a month places it as first in the sales race. You can certainly forgive Skoda NZ pricing the base Yeti so lowly and the greater issue here is how much Volkswagen New Zealand are ripping off their customers with the Golf 77TSI. Here it's currently around $22k drive away.
Another comparison that is hugely 'relevant' is comparing US car prices to the rest of the world. That I can get a BMW 550i saloon (with a 6-speed manual gearbox instead of the compulsory 8-speed auto here) there for around $80,000 represents a saving of around $100,000 and add that into the stronger Australian dollar means that we are being ripped off. Considering how different our markets are and that a loaded Golf GTI at US$32k is considered expensive adds even more irrelevance.
I think you'd be silly to consider a Yeti 77TSI in the first place. I give the 77TSI a year before it's cut from the lineup because it's such a stupid idea. 77kW... The 103TDI 4x4 is such a better option that it's hard to describe in words! Get a Kia Sportage base model, it'll actually move.
Mine: Silver 2006 Volkswagen Golf Sportline 2.0FSI 6M (with a sunroof)
Parents': Candy White 2008 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0TFSI 6M Liftback
People are saying the Yeti 103TDI will be priced around $40K in Vic, I have read here it will be priced around $36K.
Why is there so much difference?
First drive: Skoda Yeti
96 A4 1.8TQ
K03-073, SUPERTECH VALVES, PORT N POLISH, JE PISTONS, SCAT RODS, FIDANZA FW & SOUTHBEND STG 3, BILSTEIN & H&R, 2.5IN EXHAUST, APR DV
They report without on roads as for the most part they expect a national readership, and so the on road cost will not be the same for all readers. Not sure why a state based publication would need to do this though...
118TSI Tiguan now $28490
So explain to me again why you'd buy the equivalent Yeti?
I think this really does prove that VW really isn't serious about Skoda in Australia.
carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums
That is for the 2WD Tiguan.
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I couldn't agree more.
I find myself hopeful that like in Europe VW would let Skoda grow, you know allow it to be its own brand without the fear of having the reins pull back on them. The reality is for Australia that VW are never going to allow the Skoda brand to reach its full potential as it is fearful it will remove sales from there established market.
It means that Skoda is seen in the eyes of Volkswagen as a low volume, VW gap filler. What does this mean? If a client wants a VW but the model they were looking at doesn't quite suit there needs e.g. Passat Wagon doesn't have enough legroom for their 6ft 2" sons then the Superb Wagon will win them over. A niche brand that can cover their overflow when the VW equivalent just doesn't quite fit the clients requirements.
It explains why Matthew Wiesner always gives very uninspiring interviews that leave you feeling he couldn't give a stuff whether they sell 100 a month or 1,000.
That guys got the best job in the world, most CEO's would be "managed out" if after 4 years of selling, what is arguabely one of the best products in the market, but be unable to find strong growth in relation to model for model market share.
I am not saying he is responsible for the low volume as I don't know enough about him or the internals of Skoda to say this, what i am saying is most international companies want to see strong, exponential growth in any new market. An initial burst followed by steady growth. If not the person at the helm tends to get flicked for someone else who can, they just cant afford to sit around and hope for the best. If after 4 years the general population still dont know who you are or identify what it is you have to offer then you are already 4 years behind the 8 ball.
The biggest loses incurred in any business is the initial setup, sales need to be strong to cover the mounting operating costs otherwise you start to go backwards fast.
It appears they are happier with the exact opposite, a business plan that reads like "Lets just hang around and see who can find us and then hope they will buy".
It appears that way only if you believe that VW are not controlling it and this is the outcome they desire.
It's a shame really
Yes. Entry level Tiguan FWD. Equivalent Yeti would be the 77TSI FWD wouldn't it. Cheapest Yeti is $26290 + ORC which makes it $32633 d/away for my postcode ($6500 in onroad costs - wtf?).
So $2200 extra for an additional 41kw is like buying an expensive factory backed tune
Last edited by brad; 12-10-2011 at 02:19 PM.
carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums
Problem with that pricing is that an Octavia (90TSI at that price point) is going to be a better buy IMO. I see no value in a 'soft roader' driven by the front wheels only 9which probably means that I am in a minority). I'd take the Octavia Wagon for less, maybe add an option or 2 if depending on what is available, rather than a Yeti or Tiguan. If I was after 4x4, it'd be a different story, and I'd take the Yeti or Scout. Even if both of the Skodas cost more than the equivalent TDI Tiguan, I'd wait that bit longer to be able to afford the Yeti or Scout.
That's me, particularly as I don't like the Tiguan.
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