Skoda pricing vs VW pricing

[RSOK]

Probably spot on GTREA, the fact that Skoda has to battle years if not decades of poor public image over in Europe owing to the sh**boxes it made pre-Volkswagen takeover means that it necessarily has to provide a price incentive to win customers over.

VW Aus is in a much better position to pitch the Skoda brand to Aussies as a genuine semi-premium alternative to the likes of VW, Honda, Subaru etc without having to negate anywhere near the same level of outdated public perceptions as in Europe.

This would explain the pricing strategy that sees Skoda models in Aus going virtually head to head with like VW models (at least in terms of RRP; evidence elsewhere on this forum suggests that Skoda dealers are more likely to "do a deal" than VW dealers and so the driveaway price may yet see Skoda owners come out on top).

As for differences in quality of VW vs Skoda models, look personally I don't value some extra sound deadening material, flashier trim detailing inside the cabin, nicer pot plants at the dealership or glossy magazine ads, certainly not if it's my hard-earned paying for it! Whilst I have little doubt that VW cars have a more upmarket presentation to the eye, as far as the driving experience goes, I stumped for a Skoda because, among other practical considerations including boot space, it felt better to drive - steering, ride comfort, to my backside I preferred it over the VW, but that's just me.

But let's face it, cars are an emotional choice as much as anything, and people put different values on different aspects of owning a car (eg more standard features vs better fuel economy vs it's a "cooler" car to be seen in (badge-snobbery?) vs resale value vs performance etc etc)... so it's hard to say what the true "value" of a car is to someone as opposed to it's advertised "price". I'd suggest that if everytime you slide behind the wheel you grin and feel completely contented, then you've bought the right car, no matter what you paid.

[pologti18t]

Let's see. I could get a 2011 Octavia RS 5 door manual drive away for $38K.

Over and above the Golf GTI it gets sat nav (2500), 18 inch wheels (1200), heated seats (?), LED DRLs (?)

I was offered a Golf GTi (5 door, manual, no options) for $39500. So the Octavia is certain priced sharper and optioned higher than a Golf GTI.

[VAG newbie]

Let's see. I could get a 2011 Octavia RS 5 door manual drive away for $38K.

Over and above the Golf GTI it gets sat nav (2500), 18 inch wheels (1200), heated seats (?), LED DRLs (?)

I was offered a Golf GTi (5 door, manual, no options) for $39500. So the Octavia is certain priced sharper and optioned higher than a Golf GTI.

But the fact is, people who are entitled to corporate discount get more from VW than Skoda. Even people that are not entitled to it, as long as they are willing to go through a broker, they'll still get better deal with VW.

I choose Skoda over VW also for it's built quality and reliability. Skoda is up there with the very best while VW is down there with the very worst.

[pologti18t]

But the fact is, people who are entitled to corporate discount get more from VW than Skoda. Even people that are not entitled to it, as long as they are willing to go through a broker, they'll still get better deal with VW.

I choose Skoda over VW also for it's built quality and reliability. Skoda is up there with the very best while VW is down there with the very worst.

You sure about that? The discount offered at a corporate level for a Octavia and a GTI was about the same for me (work for a large bank).

Car for Car : you will be about to get a cheaper Octavia RS compared to a similar spec Golf GTI by a large margin. And surely that's what matters.

[theduckster]

In July, Skoda Australia adopted the same corporate policy as VW Australia use. So the benefits of corporate pricing should now be similar between the two brands. In some cases VW will be able more of a discount as the incentives are geared towards moving stock that is held in compound just to turn over the stock and Skoda just don't hold the amount of stock that VW can afford too. On vehicles that have too be built from the figures I have seen on the two brands they are pretty comparable.

[VAG newbie]

In July, Skoda Australia adopted the same corporate policy as VW Australia use. So the benefits of corporate pricing should now be similar between the two brands.

I should've asked the dealer for it! When I got the initial quote, it was in June, so it turned out to be Passat had better discount than Superb. But because VW could not give me a RVC, had grey roof and black carpet (and also because I really loved the Superb), I chose Superb in July! I could've saved another couple of thousands!!!

Maybe I will ask the dealer if I can still get the corporate discount, as they can source the car cheaper anyway, why not pass the discount to me (maybe they'll keep a couple of hundred dollars profit margin themselves, but who cares, as long as both of us are benefited from it)

In some cases VW will be able more of a discount as the incentives are geared towards moving stock that is held in compound just to turn over the stock and Skoda just don't hold the amount of stock that VW can afford too. On vehicles that have too be built from the figures I have seen on the two brands they are pretty comparable.

Certainly wasn't the case with my Passat's quote, as mine was a factory order from Germany.

If that is true, then Skoda is definitely much better value for money.