Volkswagen Oz Screwing Oz Buyers

[JIMMYP]

I posted a query a few weeks ago querying whether Bi-Xenons were available on the new TSI 118, as I had been told by my dealer, that these were not available.

One of the kind boardies answered that they are not, but they are available in NZ:

http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/publish/vwasia/new_zealand/en/models/specification_downloads.ContentPar.27350.file.tmp/Spec_and_Option_Sheet_Golf_VI_MY10_13Nov09.pdf

I find it odd and indeed a bit annoying that Volkswagen Oz seems to be shortchanging VW buyers in Oz. I can't for the life of me see why they would not be offered in Oz, but would be in NZ. Do we not have as many dark country roads (the main reason I want to buy them) and windy roads? It also seems we Aussies are being short changed by Oz Volkswagen with not being able to have the option of electronic folding rear vision mirrors - an option that is available on a 1990's(!!) Honda HRV that I drive sometimes!

Anyone know why we are being screwed?

C'mon Oz Volkswagen, lift your game!

[Stoney!]

I also notice on the options list that the RASP enabled 'premium' bluetooth priced at $750 is a massive amount cheaper than the near $2500 that VW Australia are trying to charge us. That is simply Theft, considering Vw's are a little more expensive over there also due to the exchange rates I don't understand!

Stoney!

[The_Hawk]

I have often wondered about certain accessories and their availability in Australia vs other contries and not just from VW. I can understand that some local laws or compliance issues *could* mean that something isn't available but short of something like that I just don't get it. Lets face it, if your ordering something from the factory why don't you get all the tick boxes?

(In my case the Hyundai Elantra we has back in 2001 didn't have (and you couldn't buy) factory cruise control... WTF?)

[dencar]

I have often wondered about certain accessories and their availability in Australia vs other contries and not just from VW. I can understand that some local laws or compliance issues *could* mean that something isn't available but short of something like that I just don't get it. Lets face it, if your ordering something from the factory why don't you get all the tick boxes?

I have a GTD on order, if it ever comes to OZ. What annoys me is if you look at the German brochure here:

http://www.volkswagen.de/etc/medialib/vwcms/virtualmaster/de/Models/golf0/golf_6/media.Par.0044.File.pdf/katalog_golf_gtd_200911.pdf

it comes with features like bi-xenons. LED tail-lights and XDS, which are not on the UK version and won't be here, it seems. The GTI should have the lights of the German model as standard. It is all about what the market will bear and product differentiation, I guess.

Edit: It is particularly galling that bi-xenons are available across the range in NZ. Given the uncertainty of my GTD order I would seriously consider an optioned-up 103TDI, but not unless bi-xenons were available.

[ozvino]

Im the last person to defend VW, or any car company, but.....

Our market in Australia is miniscule, its probably not even comparable to a state like California in the US; the more options VW makes available in Australia (incl. colour and gadgets), the more spare parts they need to have around, the more dealer interaction they need to have, technician training etc. Keeping the option list slim makes the whole supply chain a lot easier to manage (they do an average job now...)

In general, sitting in Australia we tend to expect to have the same selection and price for all goods that the Americans and Europeans experience; thats from clothes, to food, to cars and even to infrastructure like roads, air travel, broadband etc etc.

With 22M people sitting on an island at the bottom of the world with the landmass almost the size of Nth America, thats just never going to happen, unless the prices of goods increase dramatically......

Personally i'll take the limited choice at a reasonable price and still enjoy the lifestyle we get to experience in Australia any day....

[turbice]

Yea i tried to ask for bi xenons but not available.
I guess we have to get our own projectors n ebay hids.

Would these Mess with the cars computer?

[pologti18t]

Look at the specs of US models. They have even fewer standard features and options.

The model range is setup to be the most competitive in the market in which it is sold.

The option of bixenons on the volume sellers in the range would mean they would have to both stock spares (a high risk accident damage part) and stock cars with this option. VW have probably decided its not worth it for their 25K-33K Golf range to offer another combination of options.

The only other car in the category that I can think of that offers xenons (low beam) is Subaru and thats wrapped up in a leather/sunroof/xenon package. Easy to stock that.

Yea i tried to ask for bi xenons but not available.
I guess we have to get our own projectors n ebay hids.

They are illegal and ineffective....

[Highlander]

Our small market

Nice argument but loses some logic when bi xenons are available across the range in New Zealand. Only the landmass argument holds up then.

Im the last person to defend VW, or any car company, but.....

Our market in Australia is miniscule, its probably not even comparable to a state like California in the US; the more options VW makes available in Australia (incl. colour and gadgets), the more spare parts they need to have around, the more dealer interaction they need to have, technician training etc. Keeping the option list slim makes the whole supply chain a lot easier to manage (they do an average job now...)

In general, sitting in Australia we tend to expect to have the same selection and price for all goods that the Americans and Europeans experience; thats from clothes, to food, to cars and even to infrastructure like roads, air travel, broadband etc etc.

With 22M people sitting on an island at the bottom of the world with the landmass almost the size of Nth America, thats just never going to happen, unless the prices of goods increase dramatically......

Personally i'll take the limited choice at a reasonable price and still enjoy the lifestyle we get to experience in Australia any day....

[Maverick]

I posted a query a few weeks ago querying whether Bi-Xenons were available on the new TSI 118, as I had been told by my dealer, that these were not available.

One of the kind boardies answered that they are not, but they are available in NZ:

http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/publish/vwasia/new_zealand/en/models/specification_downloads.ContentPar.27350.file.tmp/Spec_and_Option_Sheet_Golf_VI_MY10_13Nov09.pdf

I find it odd and indeed a bit annoying that Volkswagen Oz seems to be shortchanging VW buyers in Oz. I can't for the life of me see why they would not be offered in Oz, but would be in NZ. Do we not have as many dark country roads (the main reason I want to buy them) and windy roads? It also seems we Aussies are being short changed by Oz Volkswagen with not being able to have the option of electronic folding rear vision mirrors - an option that is available on a 1990's(!!) Honda HRV that I drive sometimes!

Anyone know why we are being screwed?

C'mon Oz Volkswagen, lift your game!

How are Volkswagen screwing their customers?

NZ has less taxes, far fewer car import laws, regulations and requirements and this is why Volkswagen offer a larger range of cars there like an AWD GT Sport Diesel (mark V).

Adding in bi-xenons to the lower spec cars means stocking additional models, more unhappy customers who either do or don't want bi-xenons and I'm sure they would make up a tiny percentage of sales.

Same with folding rear vision mirrors.

Provide your feedback to Volkswagen and things may change down the track but in the meantime if you don't like it there are other manufacturers out there, most of them have a much more limited range of options.

Consider as well that they sell more Volkswagens in Texas than the whole of Australia.

[JIMMYP]

Maverick, they are screwing us, because there is no logical argument as to why we shouldn't be offered the same options that are offered in NZ.

The "we are a small market" argument quite patently fails - NZ's 4 million vs Oz's 22 million. There is no "road regulations" argument either - the GTI and lots of other cars sold in Australia are offered with Bi-Xenons - there is no prohibition. There is no "more servicing/spare parts" argument - these things equal extra money for VW Australia.

In short we should be offered the same options that our mates across the ditch are offered. That VW Australia has chosen not to do so, is inexcusable.

[Stoney!]

so everyone here seems to think that the $1500 premium VWAU charge for premium bluetooth over VWNZ is acceptable then?

Stoney!

[evorobin]

Im the last person to defend VW, or any car company, but.....

Our market in Australia is miniscule, its probably not even comparable to a state like California in the US; the more options VW makes available in Australia (incl. colour and gadgets), the more spare parts they need to have around, the more dealer interaction they need to have, technician training etc. Keeping the option list slim makes the whole supply chain a lot easier to manage (they do an average job now...)

In general, sitting in Australia we tend to expect to have the same selection and price for all goods that the Americans and Europeans experience; thats from clothes, to food, to cars and even to infrastructure like roads, air travel, broadband etc etc.

With 22M people sitting on an island at the bottom of the world with the landmass almost the size of Nth America, thats just never going to happen, unless the prices of goods increase dramatically......

Personally i'll take the limited choice at a reasonable price and still enjoy the lifestyle we get to experience in Australia any day....

Well said

[Maverick]

I also notice on the options list that the RASP enabled 'premium' bluetooth priced at $750 is a massive amount cheaper than the near $2500 that VW Australia are trying to charge us. That is simply Theft, considering Vw's are a little more expensive over there also due to the exchange rates I don't understand!

Actually it's a factory fitted option hence why it's so much cheaper.

The Australia dealer fitted one which is under $2000 and Volkswagen had to pay to have it tested before they could offer it for sale which is very expensive (NZ doesn't require testing before it can be sold).

so everyone here seems to think that the $1500 premium VWAU charge for premium bluetooth over VWNZ is acceptable then

Even if it were $1500 more (and it isn't as explained above) I'd rather pay that to not have to live in NZ

Nobody cares about your arguments as NZ is a different country with different customers, different dealers, different conditions and so forth. Yeah sure it would be nice to have some of the options but they also have limited models over there.

Why don't you point out that the RNS 510 is a $5000 option which is nearly double what it is here?

[Maverick]

Maverick, they are screwing us, because there is no logical argument as to why we shouldn't be offered the same options that are offered in NZ.

The "we are a small market" argument quite patently fails - NZ's 4 million vs Oz's 22 million. There is no "road regulations" argument either - the GTI and lots of other cars sold in Australia are offered with Bi-Xenons - there is no prohibition. There is no "more servicing/spare parts" argument - these things equal extra money for VW Australia.

In short we should be offered the same options that our mates across the ditch are offered. That VW Australia has chosen not to do so, is inexcusable.

Why should we be offered the same options as New Zealanders? Is this written in our "constitution" along with the "right to bare arms" or you thinking of another country that forces businesses to operate the way the customer wants?

Why stop at demanding that, how about us having all the paint colours and other options that they have in Germany? Why not demand a factory be set up in Australia so we can pick up cars from it just like they can in Germany?

If you don't like the way Volkswagen do business register your protest with their head office and refuse to buy their cars until they agree to do business the way you like. I don't agree with everything they do and wish they would offer a few extra options for rear air bags but I can't do anything about it other than let them know I'd like more options (if I could be stuffed).

Did you even bother to notice that all the Golfs are DSG only? In fact they don't have ANY manuals available on ANY model! Let me guess you want to keep manuals in Australia but have the other options?

They sell exactly one Touareg which is the V6 TDI.
They sell exactly one Tiguan which is the 103kw TDI.
In fact half the limited range of cars they have listed are order in only so no stock and a 3+ month wait.

Here's the complete list of cars they sell in NZ. Some other models are available but it's POA and special order and extra charges plus long waits.

So which way do you want it?
A) A limited range of cars, no manual options, but most of the options with half the cars offered are a 3+ month wait away?
or
B) The current system in Australia with a full range of cars, all of the popular options and with most cars available across the network.

Volkswagen have to limit the variants on their cars, you don't realise it but by offering bi-xenon you're doubling the number of variants of the standard golf which does lead to increased costs.

And one last point....

Volkswagen in New Zealand is imported by a private company that imports VW, Audi, Porsche and Skoda.

Volkswagen Group Australia is owned and operated by Volkswagen AG.

[G-rig]

so everyone here seems to think that the $1500 premium VWAU charge for premium bluetooth over VWNZ is acceptable then?

Stoney!

The factory and dealer bluetooth changes a fair bit, and these aren't even the same thing apparently so good to compare the same thing.

I guess VWA pre configure to some extent popular choices/combinations (not sure how many people want Bi-Xenons on a lower model cars as it pushes the price up). Would be nice to choose every little option since delivery times are ages anyway but dealer fit items aren't as cheap or good as factory fit IMO. Not worth going ott with options anyway or you may as well get a more expensive/desirable model.