Skoda marketing

[K1W1]

It was part of FTG Holden which is owned by Barloworld.

Since when?
AFAIK it's owned by the same group of guys who purchased it from Michael Mooney and Vern Festini before it went broke (again) in 1994. At that stage Greg Cotton owned FTG Holden and it's had a couple of owners after than before ending up in Barloworlds hands.

[sh|tbmxrider]

It was part of FTG Holden which is owned by Barloworld.

The industry is a small one.... Round and round the merry-go-round we go..... (both Dealer groups, and people that work in them...)

[woofy]

From what I remember of my dealings with FTG Skoda they were part of FTG Holden (and the SKoda bit was dumped in the midst of the FTG holden used car lot, and the whole place was owned by Barloworld. Doesn't matter now, they truly sucked, the "Skoda" guys were the used car yard guys and had no clue. If you put S$%T in you get it out as well....so no wonder it went nowhere.

If they put Skoda at the Mulgrave VW/Holden it would do well as Subie etc are nearby and people tend to wander from that camp. But it's probably way to close competition for them to do that. That is the problem at the car show as well, how do you justify Jettas when the Octavia and Superb are sitting next to them. They need a dedicated Skoda guy there and some separation-The Syd show should be interesting.

[Swuzzlebubble]

I think it was the dealer.

I was just impressed as it gives people an opportunity to get up and close with a Skoda. It's one thing to see them on the road, but people have to be able to see inside, sit inside and feel the quality of them.

It also puts Skoda above the normal boring car ie. never see a Ford or Holden in the shopping malls.

I would have thought shopping centre promotions are a bit down-market for a so-called luxury brand?
Most people who frequent them would be a bit sub-prime, imho.

[woofy]

At Knox where i mentioned, it would actually fit in with the people who visit there.....middle class/wealthy bogan (think "the shire)...therein lies the challenge though..

[space-godzilla]

I would have thought shopping centre promotions are a bit down-market for a so-called luxury brand?
Most people who frequent them would be a bit sub-prime, imho.

No, I wouldn't say so. I was over at Westfield Woden today and Lennock Skoda had it set up very nicely. A good central location with lots of light (and no mobile phone accessories booth or Boost Juice stand nearby). There seemed to be a few people looking at the cars. And Colin, the guy who sold me my RS, was there to answer questions.

Plus, you have to remember that people in Canberra still have plenty of $$$. The Federal Govt isn't going out of business soon. So the people who are walking around aren't the unemployed. They are public servants with money in their pockets on their lunch break.

[Swuzzlebubble]

you have to remember that people in Canberra still have plenty of $$$. The Federal Govt isn't going out of business soon. So the people who are walking around aren't the unemployed. They are public servants with money in their pockets on their lunch break.

Canberra bogans must be more effluent than Melbourne's!

[K1W1]

I would have thought shopping centre promotions are a bit down-market for a so-called luxury brand?
Most people who frequent them would be a bit sub-prime, imho.

I doubt whether Skoda would call themselves a luxury brand and I would hardly describe Chadstone or Westfield Doncaster in Melbourne as sub prime hangouts. Within 500 metres of Westfield Doncaster there are the following vehicle makes for sale; Bently, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Citroen, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini, Subaru and Ford. If Skoda buyers don't fit in the same demographic who buy any of those vehicles I'd love to know what demographic they do fit into.

Edit: I forgot Holden and also the rumour that the parent company of the Audi dealer are keen on a Skoda franchise.

[woofy]

I didn't mention CHaddy as it wouldn't really have the space, nor would it charge a small $$ for any stand there. It would have to be one of the most upmarket shopping centres (but still caters for everything else) that I would know anywhere in Oz full stop.

They would be pretty particular about any cars on display there. Westfield Doncaster would have trouble fitting any in either though, and they would be prime for the Bayford guys.

[sh|tbmxrider]

I doubt whether Skoda would call themselves a luxury brand and I would hardly describe Chadstone or Westfield Doncaster in Melbourne as sub prime hangouts. Within 500 metres of Westfield Doncaster there are the following vehicle makes for sale; Bently, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Citroen, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini, Subaru and Ford. If Skoda buyers don't fit in the same demographic who buy any of those vehicles I'd love to know what demographic they do fit into.

Edit: I forgot Holden and also the rumour that the parent company of the Audi dealer are keen on a Skoda franchise.

Who is the Audi Franchise holder in Donny? I have vague memories of it being Penfolds.... Then again, I thought Audi Richmond was Penfold's

[woofy]

No Penfold Audi used to be a joint place with Mazda in Burwood and then they built a separate showroom/service centre down the road further near their Holden bit. I used to like Audis until I saw how many things broke/stuffed up at them and had chats with the mechanics there, there were always way less issues with the Mazdas. It did make me think long and hard about getting a VAG car.

Richmond Audi/Skoda is part of the Audi Centre on Victoria st....in some ways its also their dumping ground, they are forever running cars back and forwards between them. The SAAB/Hummer place up the road I think is part of the same dealer as well as they store a lot of the cars up there as well. I bet when they setup the SAAB and the Skoda dealerships, they wouldn't have predicted the SAAB one sucking, maybe they should move Skoda up into that spot, now that HUmmer is also sold off who knows how good its going to be long term.

[K1W1]

Who is the Audi Franchise holder in Donny? I have vague memories of it being Penfolds.... Then again, I thought Audi Richmond was Penfold's

Correct. Penfolds own the Audi Centre Doncaster along with the one in Burwood. They also have a VW service centre in a back street behind the Audi Centre in Doncaster. I have a mate who takes his Golf there.

The Richmond Skoda is part of the same group that owns the Richmond Audi and the City Audi Centre in Swanston St. I don't know whether or not there is an association with the Saab / Hummer in Richmond other them being neighbours. I believe the Audi / Skoda business is owned by an Indonesian group.

[sh|tbmxrider]

Ahh dealerships and franchises.... Oh the tangled web we weave....

[Jayse]

Radio Ad

Just heard a radio ad for Bayford Preston Skoda on SEN 15mins ago.
Pretty safe understated ad, ie opposite to flashy tacky kinda add. Mentioned the Superb & Occy RS and that the Superb was TOP GEAR mag luxury car of the year (2009).

Good to hear they're getting out there.

Cheers,

Jayse.

[spaz74]

The Saab dealership in Richmond is really suffering trying to sell 2005-2009 models on their new model showroom floor space. It is rrreaaalllyy sad. However, expect them (according to sales staff) to have new models on the floor by about October. Pitty, would have been a good place for Skoda to branch out on their own away from the Audi snobs!