I got my Which? Car Survey 2010 report today in which Skoda wins the Best Car Manufacturer 2010 award. The item is illustrated with a photo of a Yeti.

"Skoda is a car company ideally suited to the times, as people demand more but want to pay less. It offers a great range of reasonably-priced well-built cars and, perhaps most significantly, it outperforms its VW Group sister brands (Audi, Seat and VW) on quality of customer care."

Their verdict on the Yeti was 'The Yeti is an interesting new departure for Skoda, and it's a good-looking beast. Its interior flexibility is a real boon. Higher-spec cars can get expensive after options, but the hi-tech engines compensate by delivering good fuel economy.'

Skoda UK seriously underestimated the demand for the Yeti when it was launched in the UK. They estimated total sales of 3,000 per annum. That is around 20 Yetis per dealer (150 dealers). My dealer is on track to sell at least three times their quota. If other dealers are the same, this suggests annual sales of up to 10,000 Yetis in the UK. This is about 20% of the estimated annual production of Yetis (52,000). The imbalance of supply/demand has meant long waiting lists for UK customers and has kept the second-hand price high. A search for second-hand Yetis reveals mainly Skoda dealer, ex-demo, 3 month old vehicles, at close to new prices.

Skoda UK also estimated that the majority of Yetis sold in the UK would be 2WD (70%) and only 30% would be 4WD. If forum members are typical, the sales at the moment are equally divided between 2WD and 4WD models. Forum members have also overwhelmingly gone for SE and Elegance trim levels. Maybe this is because forum members are Skoda enthusiasts and want to have the best possible Yetis but I think it also shows a change in the way people perceive and buy Skodas. Previously it was a value brand selling mainly well-made, good quality, lower spec cars at low prices. Now customers are buying high spec Skodas for the same price as mid or lower spec cars from other VAG brands.

This can only be good news for the profitability of Skoda and the image of the brand in the future.

I got my Which? Car Survey 2010 report today in which Skoda wins the Best Car Manufacturer 2010 award. The item is illustrated with a photo of a Yeti.

" If forum members are typical, the sales at the moment are equally divided between 2WD and 4WD models. Forum members have also overwhelmingly gone for SE and Elegance trim levels. Maybe this is because forum members are Skoda enthusiasts and want to have the best possible Yetis but I think it also shows a change in the way people perceive and buy Skodas. Previously it was a value brand selling mainly well-made, good quality, lower spec cars at low prices. Now customers are buying high spec Skodas for the same price as mid or lower spec cars from other VAG brands.

This can only be good news for the profitability of Skoda and the image of the brand in the future.

Which / What forum members are they talking about ?

Also been looking at used prices and there's some strange differences between dealers for example

Sept 09 59 SE 140 in white with leather and sat nav (ex SUK?) 11,000 miles £21,995 My link (be nice if I could get that for mine )

or a 10 plate SE 140 in red with three spoke steering wheel (dealer demo) for a more reasonable £16,995 with an advertised 2,000 miles (suspect more though) My link

TP

edit: just had a look at Parkers which give a franchised dealer price of £17,785 for a 09 (59) SE 140 with 10,000 miles

Edited 28 July, 201015 yr by The Plumber

I got my Which? Car Survey 2010 report today in which Skoda wins the Best Car Manufacturer 2010 award. The item is illustrated with a photo of a Yeti.

"Skoda is a car company ideally suited to the times, as people demand more but want to pay less. It offers a great range of reasonably-priced well-built cars and, perhaps most significantly, it outperforms its VW Group sister brands (Audi, Seat and VW) on quality of customer care."

Their verdict on the Yeti was 'The Yeti is an interesting new departure for Skoda, and it's a good-looking beast. Its interior flexibility is a real boon. Higher-spec cars can get expensive after options, but the hi-tech engines compensate by delivering good fuel economy.'

Skoda UK seriously underestimated the demand for the Yeti when it was launched in the UK. They estimated total sales of 3,000 per annum. That is around 20 Yetis per dealer (150 dealers). My dealer is on track to sell at least three times their quota. If other dealers are the same, this suggests annual sales of up to 10,000 Yetis in the UK. This is about 20% of the estimated annual production of Yetis (52,000). The imbalance of supply/demand has meant long waiting lists for UK customers and has kept the second-hand price high. A search for second-hand Yetis reveals mainly Skoda dealer, ex-demo, 3 month old vehicles, at close to new prices.

Skoda UK also estimated that the majority of Yetis sold in the UK would be 2WD (70%) and only 30% would be 4WD. If forum members are typical, the sales at the moment are equally divided between 2WD and 4WD models. Forum members have also overwhelmingly gone for SE and Elegance trim levels. Maybe this is because forum members are Skoda enthusiasts and want to have the best possible Yetis but I think it also shows a change in the way people perceive and buy Skodas. Previously it was a value brand selling mainly well-made, good quality, lower spec cars at low prices. Now customers are buying high spec Skodas for the same price as mid or lower spec cars from other VAG brands.

This can only be good news for the profitability of Skoda and the image of the brand in the future.

All good ,would be even better if Skoda U-K responrded to E- Mails, stlII think along way to go to lose the badge snobery that skoda has in the U-K.

Edited 28 July, 201015 yr by mellyboy

Ifc958

I was talking about the members of this forum, based on the Yeti colour,engine and trim survey results.

All good ,would be even better if Skoda U-K responrded to E- Mails, stlII think along way to go to lose the badge snobery that skoda has in the U-K.

It takes a lot for a car manufacturer to lose the stigma attached to their vehicles when they were once joked about being "skips on wheels". Does anyone joke about Skoda now? I certainly don't hear any. Yes, I've had the surprised reaction when mentioning I was trading my Audi in for a Skoda but the large majority of comments from people have been very positive about the brand.

They seem to be now generally regarded as being high value for money vehicles with VW/Audi like quality. You'll always get badge snobbery but, personally, I am enjoying driving around in a vehicle that's pretty exclusive at the moment and getting far more second looks than, what has become, every middle-class executive's "must have" black Audi that has become a common sight on our roads.

Skoda have done a fantastic job in changing their stance within the motoring industry.

I totaly agree with your comments Dave - it took a lot for me to go and even look but from then on I figure it has been one of my better choices.

ernieb

Ifc958

I was talking about the members of this forum, based on the Yeti colour,engine and trim survey results.

Ah ! I see now - Thanx for clearing that up

Skoda UK has been "strongly invited" to send a delegation to the Auto Express New Car Awards dinner next week.

More awards in the pipeline?