Sat Nav now Standard on VW Golf Models in Singapore

[pologti18t]

But not the RNS510 kind.

Of course it is....

[Maverick]

Haven't skoda included Sat Nav on the entire range....

No they haven't.

Only on the upper spec models like Superb Elegance, Octavia 118TSI, 103TDI, RS and Scout does the car come with the Columbus head unit.

The Octavia 90TSI and 77TDI comes with the Bolero head unit as does the Superb 118TSI and 125TDI.

[Maverick]

Now why is it Asian Countries have this coming online and we get smacked for $2500...

You mean one Asian country that is paying for it in the price of the car (as peedman said $130K for a GTI - actually $135,000).

They also don't have dealers in that country so their costs are lower as their ONE retail location is run by Volkswagen Group Singapore.

It's also a country that has limited models/variants imported, they import one passat, two tiguans, one eos, two passat cc's, two touregs, two phaetons, two polos, one bettle, three jettas, seven golfs and three scirocco's. All DSG.

The entry level car is a Polo 1.4 DSG starting at S$86,300 (AUD$68,000) - 1 SGD = 0.788356 AUD

Completely different markets with completely different customers with completely different requirements. If I were paying $135,000 for a GTI I'd be wanting Sat Nav standard and want them to be almost fully loaded like they are. You can't choose any options for them either, the GTI comes with nearly every option whether you want it or not. It also only comes with 17" rims as well with no option for 18's.

At least in Australia we have a choice as to the configuration of our cars, plenty of people don't want Sat Nav so why should they pay for it just because you want it standard? If you want it order it with the car or retrofit it later. If you really feel that strongly about it give me $135,000 and I'll supply you with a GTI with any or all accessories and options fitted that you want.

[hooba]

The average Singapore wages are less than here in Australia. In fact, several members of my team have moved to Singapore in the past year and all had to take a pay cut.

The experiences of your team members is not a statistically reliable enough sample, for the organisation I worked for (over 200,000 employees worldwide), the Singaporeans had the 2nd highest wages in Asia-Pac behind Japan. If you can quote a reliable source comparing average Singaporean wages with Australian ones, then I'd be interested. Brownie points if it focuses on upper quartile (i.e. those that can easily afford a new car) and takes into account after tax wages (Singapore has lower income tax rates than Australia).

[Corey_R]

Given that the GTI is over 3 times the cost that it is here, does it even matter what the specific average wage is?
It's definitely not 3 times what Australia is

[rvan.lim]

tax here is 35-45%??
tax there is 15-20%!! ..

car loan here is 10%?
car loan there is 3%!!

[rs73]

LOL - here we go again...

shall I add to steam up the debate...

a plate of 'dodgy' asian stir fry lunch plate here around A$8?
a plate of lowest 'C' hygiene level singaporean hawker plate there maybe S$3.50 ?