VGA to dumb down next Gen Skoda models

[dArK5HaD0w]

saw it coming - in an effort to save the VW models, Vw Group Australia (VGA) is going to "cut prices" and "separate" the playing field by making skoda and vw further apart.

they should've cut the prices to start with when skoda was reintroduced back in 2007.

now they're going to cut prices at the cost of reducing the std equipment currently offered. tis a shame that.

CarAdvice - Skoda to be repositioned, models to become cheaper in Oz

[mmmRacer]

Rockdale Skoda has only been stocking the base models for a few months now. I guess its good for the resale if you have a RS model already.

[pologti18t]

Step one for skoda would be to slash the number of separate options available (19 on yeti brochure, 11 on fabia brochure). This would simplify stock ordering and the need for customer to wait for a special order.

Get a Fabia 1.4 (63kw) with an auto to augment the current special edition manual 1.4L - (Fabia S?)
Perhaps put the 63kw 1.2TSI in the Fabia to reduce its price against the Polo 77TSI (Fabia SE?). Make alloys and nicer trim std
Stick the 77 kw 1.2 in the Monte Carlo. Only allow MC and RS to specify roof/wheel colours.

If they could, ditch the 1.2L Yeti and go for the 1.4L (90kw) version available overseas.

[zei20t]

that news article says the new Octavia is due in November. that's next month!

[woofy]

Step one for skoda would be to slash the number of separate options available (19 on yeti brochure, 11 on fabia brochure). This would simplify stock ordering and the need for customer to wait for a special order.

Get a Fabia 1.4 (63kw) with an auto to augment the current special edition manual 1.4L - (Fabia S?)
Perhaps put the 63kw 1.2TSI in the Fabia to reduce its price against the Polo 77TSI (Fabia SE?). Make alloys and nicer trim std
Stick the 77 kw 1.2 in the Monte Carlo. Only allow MC and RS to specify roof/wheel colours.

If they could, ditch the 1.2L Yeti and go for the 1.4L (90kw) version available overseas.

The RS is going anyway, worldwide the sales have been very low. Probably as the Polo GTi is too close.

[bobski]

This sounds like good news. Finally positioning them as a value proposition!

[MountainBikeMike]

Then we can always upgrade the bits we want upgraded with the cash saved

[The Speedfighter]

I have a feeling if I look at these tactics that Skoda will not last much much longer in this country. They're not selling the Citigo, Rapid liftback. So that's already 2 out of 6 down so we're left with 4.

They want to make them cheaper, but the sales have gone down by almost 13% which means instead of making the prices lower, stick more into advertisement and campaigns like they do with the Audi/VW.

This is what I do not understand, it's a global successful company which sells everywhere in the world, but yet they don't want to sell Skoda. Why not? They do not listen to the customers. If I have to be honest I would choose a Octy RS over a Golf GTI ANYTIME!!! It gives more value for money then anything else and it's pretty much identical.

But the problem with this country is, no advertising, we don't know the product so it must be cr*p so let's not buy this.

If I look at the amount of Skoda's driving in Europe it's just not funny anymore. Taxi's, ambulances even the police have undercover Octy's/Superbs.

But well, that's the thing you'll have to put it with if you live in "straya

[MountainBikeMike]

I have a feeling if I look at these tactics that Skoda will not last much much longer in this country. They're not selling the Citigo, Rapid liftback. So that's already 2 out of 6 down so we're left with 4.

They want to make them cheaper, but the sales have gone down by almost 13% which means instead of making the prices lower, stick more into advertisement and campaigns like they do with the Audi/VW.

This is what I do not understand, it's a global successful company which sells everywhere in the world, but yet they don't want to sell Skoda. Why not? They do not listen to the customers. If I have to be honest I would choose a Octy RS over a Golf GTI ANYTIME!!! It gives more value for money then anything else and it's pretty much identical.

But the problem with this country is, no advertising, we don't know the product so it must be cr*p so let's not buy this.

If I look at the amount of Skoda's driving in Europe it's just not funny anymore. Taxi's, ambulances even the police have undercover Octy's/Superbs.

But well, that's the thing you'll have to put it with if you live in "straya

Cant agree more. advertising and brad recognition are really not up to scratch

[BottomScratcher]

“A Skoda customer wants something European … but doesn’t necessarily want all of the same level of equipment as a Volkswagen,” , John White.

In other words, "I'm going to flog cars here, and while the punters think it's great that the base prices have come down all I'm really doing is hitting them up for "options" that are standard features in other countries".

I might've been born at night Mr. White, but it wasn't last night.

The reality is that there are already too many brands to choose from in a very small market. Skoda don't need to differentiate, they just need to have their strings pulled less by the John White's of VW and be allowed to be themselves, Skoda. If not, then instead of VW forever developing strategies to prevent Skoda from inpinging on VW market share they should sell it off. Still a Catch 22 though, because then they would have no control of Skoda's competetiveness.

Skoda were a good vehicle before the Iron Curtain came down. The Russians cut off Czechoslavakian industrial access to the West and condemned Czeckoslovakian factories to "update" with Russian tooling systems thereby ensuring that the only thing they could turn out was sub-standard crap. After Volswagen itself has raised the standard of Skoda to what we have become used to I sincerely hope history isn't about to repeat itself on Volkswagen's terms.

[kamold]

Cant agree more. advertising and brad recognition are really not up to scratch

Yeah Brad is totally underrated. He's a top bloke. Haven't met him yet but from his posts he appears to someone with his head screwed on right.

[MountainBikeMike]

Yeah Brad is totally underrated. He's a top bloke. Haven't met him yet but from his posts he appears to someone with his head screwed on right.

[mmmRacer]

To be honest Skoda would be nowhere without VW technology after it escaped the Iron Curtain in 1990. However also without the initial agreements from the Czech government we would never have seen cars like the Superb as they required high-value models to be built in the Czech factories.

Catch 22

[pologti18t]

“A
In other words, "I'm going to flog cars here, and while the punters think it's great that the base prices have come down all I'm really doing is hitting them up for "options" that are standard features in other countries".

I suggest you take a look at what Skodas are fitted with as standard equipment in other countries and then see what we get as standard. Our models are generally well equipped.

VRS in UK has no cruise, no 3rd rear headrest, no electric rear windows, no climate control, multi function steering wheel, parking sensor. All are options.

[BottomScratcher]

To be honest Skoda would be nowhere without VW technology after it escaped the Iron Curtain in 1990. However also without the initial agreements from the Czech government we would never have seen cars like the Superb as they required high-value models to be built in the Czech factories.

Catch 22

It was the success of the well built Felicias and Octavias of the mid-1990's that prompted VW to buy Skoda in 2000.

At that time VW was losing European fleet sale tenders to Skoda, who had made a good name fast since The Velvet Revolution in '91.

The first gen Felicia and Octy were the game changers for Skoda, and were up and running 6 years before VW ownership of Skoda.