Skoda Sales

[VAG newbie]

Already posted this in the Octavia thread, but thought I'd put it here as well.

Another article on Carsales: Who is Skoda?

I hate when I'm right! Based on this article, Skoda is only planning to price the Rapid below Octavia, ie. below $25000. So my prediction of $22990 was still optimistic.

Unfortunately with most of Rapid's competitor (Mazda 3, Corolla...etc) all with starting price around $20000, if Rapid is priced close to $25000, we'll see another big flop year in 2013. They'll sell 3503 cars this year.

[aware]

A lot of truth in there some won't like. I also question the value Skoda is getting out of big budget sponsorships. Sponsoring GWS AFL team must be costing a fortune, but who is watching? Not many in Sydney, that's for sure. As for sponsoring the lycra set big time in Australia, I think this has much more to do with Global exposure than as an effective strategy in Australia. While I like & follow cycling, mostly on Fox's Eurosport channel, being the snails behind the pack in an event which has struggled for coverage & profile in Australia for years, I doubt it is catching the eye of anyone but the already informed.
It would be cheaper to put a fleet of brightly coloured corporate cars on the road driving around with big SKODA logos right up the side. Do what Ford & Holden did for years & just bribe a few journos to do stories in print & on TV about the "Skoda flying circus". How much can it cost to sling their missus/mother/daughter/son a free car for a year?

BTW, Did anyone else notice Czech tennis players being labeled "Quirky" by my favourite tranquiliser, Bwuce, during Ch7 tennis coverage? Quirkiness seems to be spreading like a virus to anything Czech.

I agree completely. I think they should ditch the GWS Sponsorship and push money into a strong marketing approach. Most people don't know of Skoda, and that is unlikely to change in the near future in my opinion. The lycra brigade will obviously know who Skoda is, and if you have seen the Facebook page of Skoda Australia, there is a lot of cycling discussion (In fact i just opened it - pictures of cycling, and a fleet of Octavias at TDU 2013.) People are more interested in Skoda cycling merchandise (or "kit" if you're in the cycling circle) than anything. And there's another thing, I've given up on trying to find Skoda merchandise. Normally I'll have a cap or a shirt that I've purchased from the manufacturer/dealer, yet Skoda Australia said in August last year they'll get back to me with a response (still waiting), and my local dealer says that they can't order anything unless it is a bulk order. The servicing dealer has nothing except a Pre-FL Octavia Model car in their cabinet (I purchased one at the 2008 Motor Show from the Skoda stand). Skoda has no brand-awareness in this country, and they're continually shooting themselves in the foot. I'll be surprised if they have a good year of growth.

I like the description on their Facebook page: "We're one of the fastest growing car brands with a simply clever range". Simply clever could be replaced by something imaginative - but fastest growing, sure on a global level absolutely. In Australia though -

[aware]

I hate when I'm right! Based on this article, Skoda is only planning to price the Rapid below Octavia, ie. below $25000. So my prediction of $22990 was still optimistic.

Unfortunately with most of Rapid's competitor (Mazda 3, Corolla...etc) all with starting price around $20000, if Rapid is priced close to $25000, we'll see another big flop year in 2013. They'll sell 3503 cars this year.

I'm interested to see their pricing structure with the release of the new Rapid and Octavia. If the Rapid is priced as you say, from $22,990 (approx) then where will the Octavia start? And then what happens to Superb prices?

[Shakey]

I agree completely. I think they should ditch the GWS Sponsorship and push money into a strong marketing approach. Most people don't know of Skoda, and that is unlikely to change in the near future in my opinion. The lycra brigade will obviously know who Skoda is, and if you have seen the Facebook page of Skoda Australia, there is a lot of cycling discussion (In fact i just opened it - pictures of cycling, and a fleet of Octavias at TDU 2013.) People are more interested in Skoda cycling merchandise (or "kit" if you're in the cycling circle) than anything. And there's another thing, I've given up on trying to find Skoda merchandise. Normally I'll have a cap or a shirt that I've purchased from the manufacturer/dealer, yet Skoda Australia said in August last year they'll get back to me with a response (still waiting), and my local dealer says that they can't order anything unless it is a bulk order. The servicing dealer has nothing except a Pre-FL Octavia Model car in their cabinet (I purchased one at the 2008 Motor Show from the Skoda stand). Skoda has no brand-awareness in this country, and they're continually shooting themselves in the foot. I'll be surprised if they have a good year of growth.

I like the description on their Facebook page: "We're one of the fastest growing car brands with a simply clever range". Simply clever could be replaced by something imaginative - but fastest growing, sure on a global level absolutely. In Australia though -

I really don't think SKODA Aust is even serious about their Website and Facebook Page. The Website hasn't been updated or refreshed for ages and the Facebook page is full of advertising of everything other than motor vehicles. The author of the Facebook page will find something quirky and not vehicle related and post that on the page. People are not interested in other products and if they are...they'll source these out themselves. Toyota, Mazda and other car manufactorers doing reasonably well do not do this. The facebook page is strictly Toyota/Mazda orientated. It's obvious SKODA have handed this out to a publishing company to run their Facebook page as they have no idea of the product. So here is SkODA Aust...with all types of publishing/advertising available to them to promote the product and what do they do......advertise rubbish that no one is interested in.

[VAG newbie]

I'm interested to see their pricing structure with the release of the new Rapid and Octavia. If the Rapid is priced as you say, from $22,990 (approx) then where will the Octavia start? And then what happens to Superb prices?

I don't who is the moron in VWa that is deciding on the ricing of Skodas. But their pricing structure has always been either:
1. 10% lower than equivalent VW product, irrespective of the equipment level. eg Fabia with the Polo, Yeti with Tiguan. At the end of the day, Polo turned out to be better value for money because Fabia is less equipped.
2. Price it in par with the class that Skoda Aus (or VWa) thinks it fits in. eg. Superb with Falcodore, even though most people view Superb to be in the same class as Passat/Mazda6/Accord/Camry.

The new Octavia will be considered by VWa as the direct competitor with Mazda6/Accord Euro (although most people will still think it is Golf/Mazda3 class), therefore I wouldn't be surprised if it starts at $30990.

Superb will stay at the same price. But even at current price without any equipment upgrade, it is already too expensive compared to its competitors, particularly compare to it's own cousin Passat and the newly released Mazda6. (A 125TDI Elegance is more like a $49000 starting price, cuz other than white, every other color attracts a $600 premium)

Skoda is not a value for money budget VAG brand in Australia. It is priced as a prestige Euro marque with no brand awareness. No wonder its sale fails!

[Rooboy]

A lot of truth in there some won't like. I also question the value Skoda is getting out of big budget sponsorships. Sponsoring GWS AFL team must be costing a fortune, but who is watching? Not many in Sydney, that's for sure. As for sponsoring the lycra set big time in Australia, I think this has much more to do with Global exposure than as an effective strategy in Australia. While I like & follow cycling, mostly on Fox's Eurosport channel, being the snails behind the pack in an event which has struggled for coverage & profile in Australia for years, I doubt it is catching the eye of anyone but the already informed.
It would be cheaper to put a fleet of brightly coloured corporate cars on the road driving around with big SKODA logos right up the side. Do what Ford & Holden did for years & just bribe a few journos to do stories in print & on TV about the "Skoda flying circus". How much can it cost to sling their missus/mother/daughter/son a free car for a year?

BTW, Did anyone else notice Czech tennis players being labeled "Quirky" by my favourite tranquiliser, Bwuce, during Ch7 tennis coverage? Quirkiness seems to be spreading like a virus to anything Czech.

I don't have a problem with the sponsorships as such. GWS being a start up club will get higher than average media publicity win, lose or draw and especially while Sheedy is there. The real problem is they are not cashing in on the sponsorships with a marketing campaign. Last night I watched TDU on Ch9 and the Skoda signs were on the road and the first sprint was the Skoda sprint but who or what are they? Where were the ads to back it up? The only ads I saw were for Subaru who are sponsoring Orica-GreenEDGE.

[2009fsi]

And there's another thing, I've given up on trying to find Skoda merchandise. Normally I'll have a cap or a shirt that I've purchased from the manufacturer/dealer, yet Skoda Australia said in August last year they'll get back to me with a response (still waiting), and my local dealer says that they can't order anything unless it is a bulk order. -

My son has bought several of the genuine Skoda Rally Team shirts, since he's into rallying & other motorsport. He got them from Superskoda, which I think must be linked to the factory somehow, given what they sell. TUNING SHOP : superskoda.com
They have stuff for both cars & people.

I've bought several items from them for the car, like a new heavy duty net for the boot, much chaper than dealers here quoted, even with shipping. Delivery was quick to the door by air. As far as apparel goes, caps, shirts, jackets, bags.... etc. I think I'll give their grass Skoda thongs a miss though. I reckon the Skoda slot car set might be in the wind for the grand sons soon.

[2009fsi]

......... Last night I watched TDU on Ch9 and the Skoda signs were on the road and the first sprint was the Skoda sprint but who or what are they? Where were the ads to back it up? The only ads I saw were for Subaru who are sponsoring Orica-GreenEDGE.

Spot on Rooboy. There was absolutely nothing to link all the signs along the road to the product. It is like watching the TDF out here & seeing the AG2R team riding. But who out here knows or cares that AG2R is the biggest health fund in France?
I too think Skoda is missing the fact that people here really don't link all those roadside signs to a brand of car & even less to the pack of bicycled ladened porcipines, being predominatly Skoda cars following. I'm sure a lot don't link the cars to the brand at all.

[GippsCC]

For those that might be interested, CarAdvice proclaimed the Skoda Superb one of the few shining lights in the sub-$70K large car segment, recording 1085 sales in Australia for 2012 - growth of 280.7 per cent! Not a bad achievement.

[K1W1]

For those that might be interested, CarAdvice proclaimed the Skoda Superb one of the few shining lights in the sub-$70K large car segment, recording 1085 sales in Australia for 2012 - growth of 280.7 per cent! Not a bad achievement.

Skodas overall sales for 2012 were 1 (yes ONE) vehicle more than in 2011 so if the Superb grew 208.7% then it was at the expense of other Skoda models.

[Rooboy]

For those that might be interested, CarAdvice proclaimed the Skoda Superb one of the few shining lights in the sub-$70K large car segment, recording 1085 sales in Australia for 2012 - growth of 280.7 per cent! Not a bad achievement.

Unfortunately that article is incorrect. It would be nice if Superb went up by that much but they were actually down 24.9% to 653 which was reported separately on the carsales and caradvice websites.

[aware]

Skoda must be doing well - went past the local dealer today, there are 3 cars in the showroom and none out the front (out the front were some of the used cars from the Audi dealership on the same site) . No Superb and No Octavia. 1 Yeti, and 2 Fabias. Taking pride of place in the showroom was a Caprice..... I'm glad the Superb is a lease car, because the way Skoda seems to be going, I'll happily walk away at the end of 3 years and go elsewhere. The car is good, but everything else isn't. I'm currently experiencing after sales service, where no one returns calls even after contacting 2 dealerships in regards to a part.

How can Skoda expect to grow? - if I went to the dealer to look at an Octavia or Superb and there wasn't anything there to look at I'd probably strike them from the list straight away.

[stormshark]

Skoda must be doing well - went past the local dealer today, there are 3 cars in the showroom and none out the front (out the front were some of the used cars from the Audi dealership on the same site) . No Superb and No Octavia. 1 Yeti, and 2 Fabias. Taking pride of place in the showroom was a Caprice..... I'm glad the Superb is a lease car, because the way Skoda seems to be going, I'll happily walk away at the end of 3 years and go elsewhere. The car is good, but everything else isn't. I'm currently experiencing after sales service, where no one returns calls even after contacting 2 dealerships in regards to a part.

How can Skoda expect to grow? - if I went to the dealer to look at an Octavia or Superb and there wasn't anything there to look at I'd probably strike them from the list straight away.

I'm hearing you, i test drove a couple of Skodas on the weekend, saleswoman was newly appointed but good, except she had limited stock to entice people and the predominantly wrong colours in my opininion. I felt a bit sorry for her.

[Rooboy]

I'm hearing you, i test drove a couple of Skodas on the weekend, saleswoman was newly appointed but good, except she had limited stock to entice people and the predominantly wrong colours in my opininion. I felt a bit sorry for her.

I wonder how many cars were taken and registered for Tour Downunder and where they are now...

[Albervin]

I wonder how many cars were taken and registered for Tour Downunder and where they are now...

You have to wonder whether/if the dealers ever look at owners' forums. A smart company would certainly monitor them to be aware of what is going on out there in the real world. If VAG were really serious they could justify such a small budget to monitor and react to our input.