Build and transit status of cars

[jayen]

Has anyone heard of a database that VW dealers can access to tell you the build or transit (ship, port etc) status of your new car? A mate swears that he got a print out from his dealer that told him when the car was shipped and which ship it was on (was a couple of years ago). Just wondering because when I ask the dealer these questions about my Scout (okay it's not a VW but . . . ) I get met with deafening silence.

[CanberravRS]

Only the shipping side is viewable to the general public. THis link allows you to enter the VIN once you have it to track its shipping.

https://att.2wglobal.com/gstattweb/o...uickSearchPage

[K1W1]

I ask the dealer these questions about my Scout (okay it's not a VW but . . . ) I get met with deafening silence.

Get the VIN from the dealer and follow the link above.

[jayen]

Only the shipping side is viewable to the general public. THis link allows you to enter the VIN once you have it to track its shipping.

https://att.2wglobal.com/gstattweb/o...uickSearchPage

Interesting - of course, if the car isn't shipped then the VIN won't be of any use . . . to the general public. This means then there is a data base the "build side" of which is viewable to the dealer (as opposed to the general public). My car is meant to arrive in 4 to 8 weeks, and given that it takes a ship 12 weeks to get here, this implies that the car hasn't been built yet which is why the dealer won't say anything. In other words, a delay. Oh well, good things come to those who wait . . .

[theduckster]

I have just started an admin job at my local dealer and was quickly taken through the Skoda system on Wednesday. When you order your vehicle a Comm and Factory Order No are assigned to it. I'm then told the VIN is assigned when it is slotted in for production. There is something like 15 plus stages of production in which vehicle can be reported. Some of the stages can happen that quickly that if you had access to the system it would appear that your vehicle is skipping stages. I'm not sure what status it gets when its shipping but I would believe that the link provides above would give you a far better idea of where the ship is then the Skoda system. Not quite sure at the moment how the system works when the car hits Australia.

I find out in the next few weeks if I'm to be assigned to admin section for the Skoda dealership and if I am I will see what else I can find out. Once you have the VIN number the ball is definitely rolling and you can at least track your vehicle through the shipping phase which will give you a great idea of when you can expect your car.

Hopefully you get your VIN Number real soon, I should get mine before the end of March

[BlackSuperb]

When I was looking for my car, the dealer could look up and see which cars were in Australia that matched my requirements. He was also able to view the cars that were in transit, who had purchased them and what the vehicle's details were - VIN, options etc.

[jayen]

. . . I'm then told the VIN is assigned when it is slotted in for production . . .

Thanks guys and theduckster - this is the bit of the puzzle that I need then. I've heard before about the VIN but this explains when it is issued, and that in turn can at least tell me if the car is actually being built. To look at it another way, if the dealer dosn't know then either their lazy, ignorant in their chosen career (both bad things) or just . . . umm . . . well, anyway this will be the question I ask on Monday. I hope it's not a response.

[SkodaK]

Shipping time from Bremerhaven to Australia is around 6 weeks, give or take a few days depending on whether you are in WA or NSW.

[K1W1]

My car is meant to arrive in 4 to 8 weeks, and given that it takes a ship 12 weeks to get here,

Who told you that?
As stated it's way closer to 6 weeks than 12. The VIN is created when the car goes into the production process and appears to be available to the dealers soon after. Wilhelm Wilhelmsen are the logistics company who move the vehicle from the factory to the wharf then onto the ship and to Australia. If you have the VIN you car will appear on their site before the ship departs Europe because it's there as soon as the factory release it for transport to the wharf.

[Kenny]

Dont forget to Google

I had a screen shot from the dealer with the VIN, Ship name and voyage number. A quick visit to Google with the ships name took me Marinetraffic.com where I get a map with the ships position on it - provided its within radar range of a port. My car is currently in the Great Australian Bight heading for Melbourne. Should be in range tomorrow.