Little hope for Yeti replacement

[boemher]

The latest pictures of the new Kodiaq leave me totally uninspired. I would much prefer a Santa Fe or the new CRV to be launched next year over the new large Skoda. So I hold little hope for the Yetis successor to look any different from it or maintain any of its genes. I fear that boat has sailed.

It seems fashionable for people here who love the Yetis appearance to dislike the generic SUV look of most of its class competitors. Skoda has now fully jumped on the bandwagon to broaden it's market appeal, but I wonder if it will lose many existing customers in doing so?

It seems a little odd for Skoda to try to disinherit it's existing customer base who favour practicality and value over aesthetics to instead to appeal to owners of other brands who presumably are either out to buy a prettier car ( in which case skoda are screwed because they don't make pretty cars ) or appeal to more brand orientated buyers ( in which case skoda are screwed because they are entering a new class where customers associate skoda with taxis or superminis ).

What other SUVs have you been considering when the time comes to replace your Skoda ? I've got an Octavia to replace soonish too and was toying with a new Octavia but that too is bland beyond description. I might wait for the facelift or jump ship to another brand. For the yetis future replacement I will probably save for a Discovery Sport or do the opposite of splurge and go for a Duster which has inherited some of the yetis appeal.

[ernieb]

...... but I doubt the Duster has the refinement or quality of materials and assembly. Whilst I can agree the potential new Yeti has lost something of its roots I feel that all things must change with time. Personally, I think I would prefer the new Yeti over your choices but that's surely the point when the rubber hits the road it's down to choice. We have probably two years to wait and speculate so it's going to be an interesting time.

[Rooted]

Is the Baby Yeti / Fabia cross over not still in Skoda's plans?

[boemher]

I agree that the duster isn't in the same class of build quality as the yeti but it has some of the utilitarian feel that the yeti has. It is probably good enough given its underpinnings dash and switch gear ect are all renault.

I think that the Jeep Renegade is also a viable option because it's capable offroad, its ok to drive( having test driven one)  and its used values aren't too high so you can grab a bargain. I'd really like a Wrangler limited but apparently they are worse than a Defender to drive.

I disagree about the new Yeti and Skoda having to move on with the times. The brand can aspire to move onwards and upwards, like it has been doing for the past 20 years but it can also maintain brand identity on key models that differentiate it from other brands. I also wonder where do Skoda want to end up? Can they move any further up the VW food chain without treading on VWs toes? It seems like a strange plan given that they share tech but generally get to use slightly less advanced technology in the current arrangement they share.The Kodiaq looks like a large suv that offers nothing over any class rival other than some extra boot space vs some and saving some £££ over same rival, a smaller warranty vs Korean rivals and no clas heritage. The unveiling showed them obsessing about the design language of the crystal like headlights. Hmm. The silhouette could do with some serious thought or indeed the grille.

 

Look at how Nissan have moved their Quashqai design language up to the X Trail. Removing a utilitarian looking vehicle in favour of a generic SUV.  If the Yeti is successful in the same market place why can't it do the same and occupy the formers slot ? Not all Nissans share the quashqais design language. So why do Skoda worry so about their brand generic appearance when other car companies allow brands within company brands.

Interestingly Dacia are also releasing a 'super' Duster which will be in the same class as the kodiaq and be even cheaper than any large SUV Skoda can hope to offer, it will help Dacia to move in to Skodas existing market share as Skoda tries to move up and out.

Edited 13 September, 2016 by boemher

[Ryeman]

Peugeot 3008?

Don't judge Peugeot on previous vehicles, in a different league today ........PSA acknowledge it's their last chance to remain independent

[bluecar1]

most new models from skoda seem to be just clone VW boxes, they seem to have lost their "skoda" quirkiness and character and the price seems to be going up and little different when you compare like for like spec with a VW

[boemher]

Yeah thats my take on it too.

What is VW's usp? Safe,solid,conservative quality. Why are Skoda trying to be exact clones but with a £2000 saving model for model differing depreciation can wipe out the initial saving of buying the Skoda over VW.

Realistically apart from the currwnt Yeti vs old Tiguain the onky skoda id choose over its VW contemporary is the Octavia vs Golf. The reason I'd choose the Octavia is that it's the same segment but totally different car, practical and spacious over golf's perceived quality. If the Octavia was closer to the rapid I'd pick the golf.

So if the Octavia can create it's own space in the market in Skodas plans why can't the yeti emulate it ? Successful but different to main segment competitors.

Don't get me wrong I have 2 Skodas and like their products but I don't agree with what seems to be their their future strategy. I don't see the segment they see. I don't see people buying more of their cars with less to differentiate them between their competitors because then the badge becomes increasingly important.

I quite like the 3008 that for suggesting that it wasn't even on my radar. It's very good value nearly new.

Edited 14 September, 2016 by boemher

[Rooted]

Last year in the UK VW sold (leased) or first registered more Golfs than all the Skodas that were first registered in the UK.

VW Polos were less than 20,000 first registered in the UK behind all the Skodas first registered in the UK.

 

Skoda is not a volume seller, and the Yeti is not a high seller in its class in the UK, not even the 1st or 2nd best selling model in the Skoda range in the UK.

Skoda UK spins a good story on the increased sales in the UK, but that percentage rise is small from a small total.

Edited 14 September, 2016 by GoneOffSKi

[boemher]

It's all relative, Skoda is growing it's sales but only recently broke the 1 million global sales in a single year figure.

The UK market fluctuates with the Czech Republic as it's 4 and 5th most important market behind Germany and China. So it's still a significant market for Skoda. Do Skoda UK do a good job ? I'd say no. It limits our options and configurations massively compared to the similar in importance Czech market.

In the UK market the Octavia and Yeti account for highest £££ of sales even if the Fabia sells more units than the Yeti. So my point is still validish why fix it if it isn't broken ?

I read that Skoda are trying to position themselves as a Value Luxury brand. At what stage does luxury trump value in the average buyers minds ? Do you buy a luxury car for value ?

[boemher]

Saying all this I quite like the new Tiguain and Ateca, they are both handsome if generic, trying to imagine what the new Yeti will.look like squeezed in between the two.

The Ateca looks to have brought to market several of Skodas new design cues already and without the wierd double decker grille thing the Kodiaq has going on.

Are Skodas still proved below Seat ? A year old Seat is probably worth less than an equivalent Skoda.

Edited 14 September, 2016 by boemher

[Rooted]

In 2013 the Mk2 Fabia sold 32,000 of the 66,000 Skoda in the UK.

The Mk3 Fabia s not a good seller. it is the Octavia & Superb outselling the Yeti & for more £££ of profit.

Edited 14 September, 2016 by GoneOffSKi

[boemher]

That's got to be recent sales figures though with the advent of new Superb and the aging Yeti.

[Rooted]

Recent Sales figures, or actually first registered / delivery figures will show quite good as Skoda UK has offers that have Leasing Companies giving great deals, 

and Motability Finance the biggest Group Purchaser of Vehicles in the UK does very good low deposit offers to customers leasing a Skoda.

Motability buy them outright.

Skoda UK do manage to get vehicles out to Fleets and Leases Companies when they need the 'Sales' numbers up.

Often VW still own the vehicles because they finance them and they then sell at end of lease.

http://skoda.co.uk/finance/motability-from-skoda/yeti

http://skoda.co.uk/motability

http://motability.co.uk

Edited 14 September, 2016 by GoneOffSKi

[Expatman]

Comment from Skoda in Autocar magazine is that the new Yeti will retain its character while having a family likeness to the Kodiak. Suggests it will retain existing model's boxiness but toned down to fit family image. We will have to wait till mid 2017 to see proper images of the new model due early 2018.

Difference now from when Yeti was launched in 2009 is that there are many more similar competitors in the market - from Dacia to Audi! Honda HRV is possible as is 3008, Kadjar etc. etc. 

I think Skoda's real problem is that the new Yeti is 2 years late, it should have launched early 2016. Many existing Yeti owners are jumping ship and moving to competitors rather than buying another dated Yeti. 

[Rooted]

Are they dated though?

If the price is right and the build quality is good someone should be able to buy one now and keep it for 5 years if they want or longer.

People apparently like what they are, the size and look,  so yet another facelift could be done.

 

People are buying them, Skoda have just announced how well they are selling World Wide.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/411394-ever-popular-yeti

 

Looks like Skoda Media's way of saying, the Yeti will keep on as it is for the foreseeable future because VW Group need cut backs.

& it is all go with the Global sales of the Kodiaq for now.

Edited 14 September, 2016 by GoneOffSKi

[Ryeman]

Social media is now so persuasive, in the narcissism sense, that style is probably THE most important aspect it's judged on.

Looking practical won't sell in sufficient numbers to justify itself these days it seems to me.

[ernieb]

Are they dated though?

If the price is right and the build quality is good someone should be able to buy one now and keep it for 5 years if they want or longer.

People apparently like what they are, the size and look,  so yet another facelift could be done.

 

People are buying them, Skoda have just announced how well they are selling World Wide.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/411394-ever-popular-yeti

 

Looks like Skoda Media's way of saying, the Yeti will keep on as it is for the foreseeable future because VW Group need cut backs.

& it is all go with the Global sales of the Kodiaq for now.

 

And in the same Press release it says they are increasing capacity for the existing Yeti design due to high demand.  When I was talking to my dealer about the Yeti II he did say that the current design showed no sign of any customer purchase fall off.  This might well pick up even more next year when they produce an end of life model with a few more bells and whistles and attractive pricing.  The concern I would have is that this will further delay the Yeti II and the VW group struggle to produce enough Euro 6 engines, 1.4 and 150, for it's own cars, the new Ateca, Kodiak and the like.

 

Just looked at an Ateca forum I follow and there is a comment from someone who lives in Spain.  There the local dealers are beginning to offer 190 engines in place of 150 units and some versions upgrades to DSG!

Too many car releases all based on the same supply chain and engine (singular).

Edited 15 September, 2016 by ernieb

[Rooted]

Engines are not so much of an issue because the VW Group have engine plants a plenty, like the Audi ones in Hungary ,

then ones in North America and South America,

and their diesel engine plans have taken a knock, quite a serious knock if they are not going to sell diesels in North America.

 

Gearboxes and especially DSG / s-shift are more of an issue.

Skoda increased the production of DSG in CZ by 50% in 2015, and likely will need to increase that again.

Then they need the 7 speeds production for the more powerful engines ramped right up since this is important as the issues with current 6 speed wet and 7 speed dry increase. 

 

40,000 mile service intervals on Wet DSG is really just not on in this day and age.

Vorsprung durch technik.

VW Group need to produce reliable and value vehicles as much as always bringing in new tech which needs to be serviced by analogue technicians & dealerships & customer services with the world in a digital age.  

(Skoda Configurators can not even be current as vehicles change and dealers are not sure what spec is available.)

Its all well VW wanting 5 year production runs when buyers wants vehicles that are still reliable after the Manufacturers warranty expires, and maybe for another 5 years later.

 

 

The Volkswagen Group must be manufacturing less vehicles in 2016 / 17 than in the last quarter 2015 & first 2016 

when they were the No1 Biggest car manufacturers in the world. Overtaking Toyota.

Then 12 months ago they were found out as cheats and liars.

They have the engine building capacity obviously unless factories have closed, 

but actually they needed to cut production at new factories they just invested in.

Edited 15 September, 2016 by GoneOffSKi

[lfc958]

2 words spotted in a previous post that conceptually do not fit.  Luxury Value, thats sound just like  spin / advertising speak or just plain ........... , you are either one or the other, the next thing we will be hearing is Dacia calling themselves Luxury Base brand, or Rolls being Upper Luxury brand.

 

We all know cars are getting bigger, so the replacement for current Yeti, due in 2018  last rumour Is going to be bigger  ( The roads dont seem to be getting wider  ).

 

I think a lot of current Yeti owners are hoping that the rumour is true that the Fabia sized "Yeti" will be produced, however given the ' everything is getting bigger ' rule the manufacturers seem to follow, i wouldnt be surprised if it is the same size as the pre FL Yeti.

[bluecar1]

Engines are not so much of an issue because the VW Group have engine plants a plenty, like the Audi ones in Hungary ,

then ones in North America and South America,

and their diesel engine plans have taken a knock, quite a serious knock if they are not going to sell diesels in North America.

 

snip....

problem is it seems the long term reliability of some of the engines seems to make me question the quality of the product

 

1.2 TSi engines with issues with timing chains stretching

 

1.4 twin charger issues (enough said)

 

1.6TDi issues with EGR, not that common but seems to be becoming more common on here

 

all these seem to give big bills when out of warranty

[Rooted]

Those are all the Euro 5 emission engines, discontinued, dead parrots.  So hardly relevant to the building of new cars in late 2016 into 2017 and on/

The new engines are Euro 6 and if the same faults are going to emerge in them then VW really is in the poo.

[Expatman]

The 2009 Yeti is dated, NCAP safety rating has expired and it is doubtful it would get anywhere near 5 stars now. Chassis is very much last generation as is technology so basically anyone buying a Yeti now is getting an "old" car. Doesn't mean it's bad, just not up to the best modern standards. So why spend £20k on an old car when competitors are already offering modern designs for the same price?

[Rooted]

Lots of people seem to not want the 'modern designs. 

& Skoda can actually have the same look with all the gear than makes the replacement Yeti look like a Yeti.

 

Not in the way BMW made a MINI huge, or VW made a rear Engine car a Front engine Golf with a Retro look.

 

£20,000 plus or from £17,000 is British money, lots apparently are buying in Euro, Yen and other currencies.

[Llanigraham]

The 2009 Yeti is dated, NCAP safety rating has expired and it is doubtful it would get anywhere near 5 stars now. Chassis is very much last generation as is technology so basically anyone buying a Yeti now is getting an "old" car. Doesn't mean it's bad, just not up to the best modern standards. So why spend £20k on an old car when competitors are already offering modern designs for the same price?

 

Because none of the competitors are able to offer me what the Yeti does, for the same price!!

The only car I would have gone for is a Discovery Sport, but for what I require would have been over £30k.

[Ryeman]

problem is it seems the long term reliability of some of the engines seems to make me question the quality of the product

 

1.2 TSi engines with issues with timing chains stretching

 

1.4 twin charger issues (enough said)

 

1.6TDi issues with EGR, not that common but seems to be becoming more common on here

 

all these seem to give big bills when out of warranty

To me, the critical components are the diesel's bolted on emissions controls which, as far as I can understand, are not likely to give greater reliability but, due to ever tightening standards for tailpipe emissions, are likely to have to work at least as hard with the SCR system for added complexity. In economy terms it seems like the law of diminishing returns applies until it's reason for being ceases to exist .