5. Retractable external mirrors automatically retract when holding

down the “lock” button on the remote control.

New Octavia Brochure

Confused now

The brochure referred to here is not the UK brochure but the English translated brochure from the main Skoda site. For example it shows 17" wheels as well as 18" - UK have 18" as standard. The UK vRS does not have a separate brochure but is part of the main brochure.

The brochure referred to here is not the UK brochure but the English translated brochure from the main Skoda site. For example it shows 17" wheels as well as 18" - UK have 18" as standard. The UK vRS does not have a separate brochure but is part of the main brochure.

I was referring to the Irish car as is that brochure

I can confirm the NZ one gets the folding mirrors as per the spec sheet.

We do pay quite a premium here, but essentially it comes fully loaded.

5. Retractable external mirrors automatically retract when holding

down the “lock” button on the remote control.

New Octavia Brochure

Confused now

Me too...

Sheer madness....surely they must make them available in the UK?

Sheer madness....surely they must make them available in the UK?

Why 'must' they?

The options we get in the UK are chosen by Skoda UK. Wether stuff is available in other markets is irrrelevant for us in the UK sadly, if Skoda UK have decided against a particular option then it cannot be ordered on a UK car.

Its rubbish but unless Skoda UK change their tune then we are stuck with what they choose.

They are missing a trick (&extra sales and profit!) here for sure, I'd have spent more money on options for my VRS if they had been available in the UK.

Why 'must' they?

Because it makes no sense not to offer them. Can anyone suggest what the marketing strategy is in not offering them?

Too late for me anyway, but would definitely have them if they'd been on the options list

Can anyone suggest what the marketing strategy is in not offering them?

There is no deliberate strategy. Its just incompetance from Skoda UK as they never seem to listen/investigate what customers want from their new Skoda.

They seem lazy and unable/unwilling to listen when customers ask for new options to become available, which is a bloody shame as people would spend more money if more options were available to them.

There is no deliberate strategy. Its just incompetance from Skoda UK as they never seem to listen/investigate what customers want from their new Skoda.

They seem lazy and unable/unwilling to listen when customers ask for new options to become available, which is a bloody shame as people would spend more money if more options were available to them.

Likewise, there are various options I would have added if they'd been available here. I think it's a real shame that Skoda go to the trouble of developing options only for us not to be able to spec. them because Skoda UK wont allow it

Sarge.

Edited 6 August, 201015 yr by Sarge

Likewise, there are various options I would have added if they'd been available here. I think it's a real shame that Skoda go to the trouble of developing options only for us not to be able to spec. them because Skoda UK wont allow it

Sarge.

Do you think its because the UK is a big market for Audi and VW and more of their potential sales might be taken by top end skodas if all the options were available? In that case Skoda UK may not be calling the shots.

Just sent this to Skoda through the "contact us" facility on the website:

Was just wondering why electrically folding mirrors can't be specified (even at extra cost) on the Octavia VRS I've just ordered. It appears these are now standard on the Irish and other RHD markets. I'd certainly have had them if they were available in the UK. Is this just an oversight or is there some good reason please?

I'll post on here if they come up with a reply that reveals anything!

Edited 6 August, 201015 yr by juan27

Just sent this to Skoda through the "contact us" facility on the website:

Was just wondering why electrically folding mirrors can't be specified (even at extra cost) on the Octavia VRS I've just ordered. It appears these are now standard on the Irish and other RHD markets. I'd certainly have had them if they were available in the UK. Is this just an oversight or is there some good reason please?

I'll post on here if they come up with a reply that reveals anything!

Here's the reply from Skoda:

Thank you for your email dated 7 August 2010, regarding your query about the reason folding mirrors on the Octavia vRS are no

longer an option.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for taking the time to bring your concerns to our attention.

I will pass your comments on to our Marketing Department for them to escalate to the Factory; we always welcome feedback from

our customers as it helps us to improve our product.

I unfortunately cannot confirm as to why the Factory has withdrawn this option. The Factory does not explain its reasoning to

Skoda UK regarding what options are available to the UK Market.

Thank you for contacting Skoda Customer Services

So Skoda UK blame the Head Office......polite but not very helpful.

At least you got a response I suppose :yes:

Sometimes that's just the way it is, by way of reasoning - does seem a bit daft though.

I've looked into retrofitted folding mirrors on other cars before, and it always turns out to be more work than expected! Would still be nice though

At least you got a response I suppose :yes:

Sometimes that's just the way it is, by way of reasoning - does seem a bit daft though.

I've looked into retrofitted folding mirrors on other cars before, and it always turns out to be more work than expected! Would still be nice though

Just sent this to: [email protected]

Hi,

I wonder if you can help please. I would like to know why electric folding mirrors are not available on the UK Octavia VRS even as an option when they are available in Ireland and other right hand drive markets.

I have an Octavia VRS on order and would certainly have ordered folding mirrors if they were available.

I have asked this question of Skoda UK but they replied:

"The Factory does not explain its reasoning to

Skoda UK regarding what options are available to the UK Market"

Haha, good thinking

:clap:

Haha, good thinking

:clap:

Maybe they'll put some on mine as a goodwill gesture...

Maybe they'll put some on mine as a goodwill gesture...

me too!!!

hope they "chuck-in" electric folding mirrors into mine when they build in 2-3 weeks time

me too!!!

hope they "chuck-in" electric folding mirrors into mine when they build in 2-3 weeks time

Maybe you should email them too?

The options we get in the UK are chosen by Skoda UK. Wether stuff is available in other markets is irrrelevant for us in the UK sadly, if Skoda UK have decided against a particular option then it cannot be ordered on a UK car.

Apparently not according to Skoda UK who say its the factory!

Edited 17 August, 201015 yr by juan27

Apparently not according to Skoda UK who say its the factory!

The complete lack of understanding by Skoda UK in the products they market is well documented in this forum.

I fail to understand how Skoda Auto (CZ) would appreciate what the preferred market profile for their cars should be in our market. One of the principal tasks of the local organisation is to maximise the sales potential for all the products available to them. Quite clearly this is not being done at present.

The UK is a sufficiently large enough market size to warrant the attention of the end user. Who selects theses options Skoda Auto.?? I think not. I have direct experience of national (local) marketing organisations having considerable input in the definition and development of product specifications to meet their own local requirement. Assuming what Skoda UK states on this subject to be correct, then they are just totally incompetent and not looking after the hand that feeds them.

I think the answer given by Skoda UK is just another of their blunders to off-set their lack of understanding of the end user customer, and move the blame elsewhere. Skoda UK are most fortunate indeed that they have a buyers market for their products and the rest is history.

The complete lack of understanding by Skoda UK in the products they market is well documented in this forum.

I fail to understand how Skoda Auto (CZ) would appreciate what the preferred market profile for their cars should be in our market. One of the principal tasks of the local organisation is to maximise the sales potential for all the products available to them. Quite clearly this is not being done at present.

The UK is a sufficiently large enough market size to warrant the attention of the end user. Who selects theses options Skoda Auto.?? I think not. I have direct experience of national (local) marketing organisations having considerable input in the definition and development of product specifications to meet their own local requirement. Assuming what Skoda UK states on this subject to be correct, then they are just totally incompetent and not looking after the hand that feeds them.

I think the answer given by Skoda UK is just another of their blunders to off-set their lack of understanding of the end user customer, and move the blame elsewhere. Skoda UK are most fortunate indeed that they have a buyers market for their products and the rest is history.

Personally I think Skoda UK have marketing input...but the guys in customer service aren't really aware of anything like that so have fobbed me off with the response you saw.

If it was all being run from the factory I reckon the UKs frankly eccentric (but charming) website would be more like those in other countries.

I wonder if the limited options is due to the way they produce the right-hand-drive cars?

I've read on here that they only produce batches of RHD cars every few weeks as they have to change over a production line to do it.

If they only have a limited production capacity for RHD cars, then they may have to restrict what options are available if they don't have enough production lines to handle all the possible options.

Perhaps they just pick which options they think are going to be most popular?

Of course, this is pure speculation, but it might make sense.

If they only have a limited production capacity for RHD cars, then they may have to restrict what options are available if they don't have enough production lines to handle all the possible options.

Interesting that you suggest that each option would have a separate production line. Even with the limited number of options available to the UK market this would lead to a totally unmanageable number of lines and uneconomical space/investment to accommodate them. I don't believe this to be the case with Skoda CZ as the techniques employed in their factories reflect the latest and best in the VAG group.

Most modern car manufacturing plants are more than capable of running nearly all available options on one single production line if necessary. There are a number of RHD markets that offer more options than currently available to the UK market, and these are produced on the same production line as are cars for the UK market.

In any case, why should a LHD/RHD issue cause the lack of powered, folding wing mirrors? There's one on each side of the car - end of story :yes:

They're also available on RHD L&Ks.

I wonder if the limited options is due to the way they produce the right-hand-drive cars?

I've read on here that they only produce batches of RHD cars every few weeks as they have to change over a production line to do it.

If they only have a limited production capacity for RHD cars, then they may have to restrict what options are available if they don't have enough production lines to handle all the possible options.

Perhaps they just pick which options they think are going to be most popular?

Of course, this is pure speculation, but it might make sense.

Irish and New Zealand VRS (both RHD) have them as standard!

Edited 17 August, 201015 yr by juan27