Skoda Global Sales Surge

[K1W1]

Look at Land Rover. They are now owned by the Indian company TATA. I doubt if anyone buying a Land Rover would not buy it now that it is owned by TATA.

So is Jaguar and from what I hear the quality and reliability of both products has improved dramatically from what it was under the previous BMW or Ford ownerships. The low point in Land Rover was actually during BMW ownership.

[aware]

The thing is Aware, Skoda's aren't made of 'leftover' Audi and VW parts, they're made of the exact same parts that Audi and VW are currently using in their vehicles! It's not like by buying a Skoda you're getting engines and transmissions and radios and stuff from 10 years ago that Audi and VW have moved on from... it's literally current Volkswagen Group parts (although there may be a 1 year delay for example from when VW introduce a new engine to when Skoda picks it up for their vehicles) without the inflated premium you pay for a VW or Audi badge.

Not only does Skoda use the same parts as Audi and VW but reliability surveys from Europe consistently prove that Skoda seem to make their cars better than either of those sister brands, hence why Skoda's are just sensational value!!

Agreed - I know that's what they are made of. But my point was that this perception is a hurdle that Skoda needs to overcome. I have a huge amount of respect for Skoda cars, and that's why I joined the Forums. I tried to dispute this with the person I was talking to, except he wouldn't accept it.

They are sensational value, I'd take a Skoda even over an Audi (R8, RS etc excluded though )

I hope no one took my post the wrong way - they are great cars!

[K1W1]

b) Skoda has only so far been able to offer 2 models to the market, Octavia and Superb [forget Roomster], so they have been limited to attracting buyers from only those segments....

But the Octavia is in the section of the market that is the largest selling section atm. Mazda, VW and Holden managed to sell a combined 10,800 vehicles and Skoda did what, 200 Octavias. The Mazda 3 is the largest selling car in Australia year to date, it's about 200 vehicles ahead of the Commodore even though the Commodore has all the fleet and Govt sales that the Mazda doesn't get. If the market isn't perfect to be selling Octavias into now I don't know when it ever will be.

[RSOK]

The thing upsetting me the most is, my insurer AAMI wouldn’t let me have a hire car more than 10 days regardless how long the repair is taking and that is why I am left without a car for more than 2 weeks now. Maybe I target my anger to the insurer not the maker of the car.
longer.

Yep, your policy benefits definitely make or break your experience when it comes to the crunch (pardon the pun)... a benefit that gave you a loan car "until your car was repaired" would be great, but then again you'd pay a higher premium and most people just won't do it, they'll take the risk that they'll never need those additional benefits... I think my policy with GIO states that I get a loan car "for 14 days or until the car is repaired, whichever occurs earliest" so I too would be left without a car in your circumstances.

Btw it's not your insurer's fault either, those were the policy benefits you signed up to, so you're only entitled to a loan car for 10 days sorry to say. Pay a higher premium, get better benefits next time or just cross your fingers and hope it doesn't happen again.

[RSOK]

I hope no one took my post the wrong way - they are great cars!

Not at all Aware, I'm with you, perceptions need to be overcome by the brand somehow, as not everyone is as open-minded or willing to do their own homework as others.

[aware]

Removed - wrong post

[K1W1]

But my point was that this perception is a hurdle that Skoda needs to overcome. I have a huge amount of respect for Skoda cars, and that's why I joined the Forums. I tried to dispute this with the person I was talking to, except he wouldn't accept it.

I think people confuse parts with technology.
It's logical to say that there is a technology trickles down in the group. Porsche / Bentley and Lamborghini will get the new trick stuff followed by Audi then VW then Skoda / Seat. The advantage of that of course is twofold. By the time the technology trickles down to Skoda it's tried and tested and well sorted and more importantly is much more reasonably priced. Skoda engineers are so lucky they have this huge selection of technology and experience that they can tap and select from without having to do a lot of the development work. To my way of thinking that's not a bad thing I'd rather wait two years and have something that works than be the guinea pig and pay through the nose for the pleasure.
As far as parts are concerned to suggest that Skoda somehow use left over or second hand parts is patently ridiculous.

[RSOK]

The Mazda 3 is the largest selling car in Australia year to date

The Mazda3 is 'sexy', it's hip, it's happening, it's 'so now'... and sexy sells... design and marketing have lead people to buy it in droves, and it ain't a bad car in truth (my mum has a 2010 Mazda3)... the Octavia appeals to the head I guess and that's just not sexy.

Let's face it how many average Joes and Janets out there who would look at a Mazda3 would also take the time to check out an Octavia? We know what an Octavia offers in all-round terms of driving and ownership satisfaction but I'd say we're in the minority of the Aussie car-buying public who simply don't look beyond the superficial, ie does it have a Mazda/Toyota/Holden/Subaru/Ford/Nissan/Honda or Mitsubishi badge? and oooh look at its funky dash, oooh I like the headlight shape, ooooh it has red lighting in the instruments, oooh it comes with a USB port... you get where I'm coming from, up against this mentality a Skoda will struggle despite its obvious appeal to those like us with a keen interest in driving dynamics and build quality.

[brad]

One thing I forgot to mention was that the dealer at Pennant Hills was saying that he had been open for 8 days, and in that time they had already sold 11 cars! The 12th was actually sold whilst I was there, an Octavia Scout (not me sadly....)

OMG!
I just looked at the Skoda site. 2 new dealers! Alto Skoda at Pennant Hills
and
Rockdale Skoda... woot woot - just up the road from me. I'm guessing it's where Audi used to be

[brad]

The Mazda3 is 'sexy', it's hip, it's happening, it's 'so now'... and sexy sells... design and marketing have lead people to buy it in droves, and it ain't a bad car in truth (my mum has a 2010 Mazda3)... the Octavia appeals to the head I guess and that's just not sexy.

When I bought mine, a mate said "That would have looked pretty modern 10 years ago" and he was right. As it stands, it looks very non-descript. Squint a bit & the face looks like a Toyota Avalon. I've walked past Octavia Sedans in a dark carpark & had to check the badge to confirm what they were. This non-descriptness suits me as I tend to drive a bit fast sometimes & nobody notices but if you are a bit extrovert.......

[aware]

OMG!
I just looked at the Skoda site. 2 new dealers! Alto Skoda at Pennant Hills
and
Rockdale Skoda... woot woot - just up the road from me. I'm guessing it's where Audi used to be

Yeah, it's great! Skoda and Audi are at the same place at Pennant Hills. That being said, I'd still take the Skoda! I drove past yesterday and it appears that they have a few more cars then when I was there - they had 5 when I was there, now up to about 8. Not many but certainly enough to cover the range (didn't see if there was anything out the back though)

[brad]

Even closer than my other favourite brand's (Subaru) dealerships - ..

Was wondering why you'd jumped ship.

The bike was going well last time I spoke to Lyn.
How's the weight going?

[aware]

Was wondering why you'd jumped ship.

The bike was going well last time I spoke to Lyn.
How's the weight going?

Great to hear - it was a great bike when I had it, so I imagine it'll continue to be a good bike for them!
Actually really well thanks, I've now dropped 22 kilos since finishing year 12 in 2009 - it feels great!

Hope everything is well with you!

[wai]

So is Jaguar and from what I hear the quality and reliability of both products has improved dramatically from what it was under the previous BMW or Ford ownerships. The low point in Land Rover was actually during BMW ownership.

Well, going back over 40 years ago (when I lived in India), TATA used to manufacture the Mercedes Benz trucks and buses in India where they went under the joint name of TATA Mercedes Benz. MB would not have allowed their name to be used lightly.

It is people's perceptions that make them decide against Skoda. I remember hearing on New Tricks where a police officer was assigned to the team where either he or someone they were looking for someone with the name Pushka, when he quipped he thought pushka was the nickname for a Skoda.

[VAG newbie]

Let's not forget one of the biggest reason for the poor sale is the lack of supply. Almost all Skodas have to be ordered from Czech factory with a minimum wait of 4-6 months. Most average Joes and Janets won't wait that long, not to mention that Skoda isn't really a "sexy" car. Consider there are >200 people each month that are willing to wait for 4-6 months for their Skoda, I'd say they are doing pretty good.

When Hyundai and Kia was first introduced here, their cars weren't sexy at all either. Reliability and quality was also poor, but Hyundai successfully used the $13990 drive away policy with their Excel, and immediate delivery of the car, albeit it was a terrible car, it was a major success. I believe it was once the third largest selling car in the 90's!

But Hyundai have since then bear the image of cheap, budget brand. Michael Wiesner said himself, that was not his approach. He was trying to built the brand name for the first few years and he wanted to give Skoda a more prestigious image than a budget brand like Hyundai or Kia. So he introduced Octavia and Superb first (Of course also the overly optimistic Roomster, which was priced at $30,000, way too high!!)

If Skoda Aus is willing to bring tons of barebone (2 airbag only, no ESP, plastic everything) Fabia and offer $13990 drive away, I believe it's sales chart will really fly! But I'd rather they don't do that. Somehow Skoda now do have a bit of prestigious feel to it. Maybe not in par with VW, but at least in par with Renaults and Citroëns. I'd like them to keep it that way.