Apparently VW has ordered Skoda to cut back on kit levels as it is worried that the brand is stealing too many natural VW buyers. Remarkable. Click here

Edited 18 November, 201015 yr by Adrianh1

This article in the european arena was posted as a thread a good few weeks ago.

If you do a search you will see the comments from people on the site.

Wel lspotted to see that the news has hit New Zealand, although it doesnt bode well for the spec of cars that they will get, as a majority of customers will get hit with the decontented cars

Will it see prices fall? If not, then whos going to buy Skodas for the same money with less kit?

definatley you can see the level of standard kit dropping from the skoda range,removing glovebox ,engine covers this will make it drop in buyability,the customers will go for the korean crap,and to say that skoda fabia dash should be of a poorer quality to the vw is shocking,vw have been the best thing for skoda maybe to good!and they are about to de-value the marque,it will be a shame if you have to buy the steering wheel as an optional extra:giggle:

why no bi-xenon in the new vrs makes you wonder eh!!!!!

Edited 18 November, 201015 yr by seboni121

I think the comments on Skoda having a better warranty claims record are not that surprising. Other marques in the group tend to get the new technology first and subsequently have the problems ironed out before they are handed down to Skoda.

Edited 18 November, 201015 yr by Fatbloke

It seems stupid after years of building Skoda up to then devalue it Instead of devaluing Skoda, they should perhaps move VW upmarket. Todays VW s are not nearly as well made as those from the past, better materials yes, but not as well put together.

I cant see how they can make the Fabia dash any cheaper though, its hardly quality with all the little creaks etc and hard plastics... my previous Fiat had better quality switchgear for sure and materials too.

It seems stupid after years of building Skoda up to then devalue it Instead of devaluing Skoda, they should perhaps move VW upmarket. Todays VW s are not nearly as well made as those from the past, better materials yes, but not as well put together.

I cant see how they can make the Fabia dash any cheaper though, its hardly quality with all the little creaks etc and hard plastics... my previous Fiat had better quality switchgear for sure and materials too.

I agree seems strange to de-value there best selling brand,thats why I think vw is becoming the poorer relation in this group,more exciting cars coming from skoda and seat,definate vw are not as well made as they used to be,but as far as the fiat is concerned may have quality fabrics and stuff but man are they unreliable,I had a fiat stilo dynamic 1.9jtd with all the toys what a nightmare cost me a fortune to keep on the road!!!got ride of it 03 plate with 50k on it had to leave it go for 1k

VW needs to up it's game instead of knocking down the competition, but even if they reduce Skoda specs, I'll still buy a Skoda because I can't afford a VW.

Lets face it, a lot of spec on cars is really not essential. Climate Control - really nice, but I often leave it in manual mode now, could easily do without it. Cruise Control - nice on a motorway muncher, but Fabias aren't that, could do without it. Parking Sensors - most usefull option there is, they stay. Sat Nav - get a TomTom instead, they're usually better, cheaper and easier to upgrade. Arm Rest - it's bloody useless, mine is permanently up, get rid of it.

Don't dismiss the Koreans either. Have you tried a Hyundai lately? They are very good now, they have made the same jump that Skoda did going from the Felicia to the Fabia, my sister has an i20 and other than interior materials, it's easily a match for the Fabia as a car. My Hyundai Coupe was one of the best cars I've owned and I was gutted to have to trade it in. :(

Most of our cars have been VWs since my first Mk3 Golf. Still drive a B6 Passat but we are now on our second Fabia II.

I cant see any justification for our next 'big' car to be a VW. I will either be sensible and stay Skoda or spend more and go Audi/ BMW. VW is just too middle ground with none of the benefits (value or shallow status symbol) of the rest of the VAG stable. Ignoring Seat which is a joke and will quietly go in the next few years....

I think the standing of the MkVI GTD reflects where they are now well, by all accounts a cracking car but it has none of the status/ demand from the rep set that the inferior MkIV GT TDI had at the end of the 90s. People now either want anOctavia VRS or a low range A4.

As a brand they have well and truly lost position to Skoda. Look at the VRS advert on TV at the moment, that is the kind of humour that VW used to do on their ads. I think the Fabia is starting to occupy the classless status that VW had nailed with the Mk2 Golf.

Most of our cars have been VWs since my first Mk3 Golf. Still drive a B6 Passat but we are now on our second Fabia II.

I cant see any justification for our next 'big' car to be a VW. I will either be sensible and stay Skoda or spend more and go Audi/ BMW. VW is just too middle ground with none of the benefits (value or shallow status symbol) of the rest of the VAG stable. Ignoring Seat which is a joke and will quietly go in the next few years....

I think the standing of the MkVI GTD reflects where they are now well, by all accounts a cracking car but it has none of the status/ demand from the rep set that the inferior MkIV GT TDI had at the end of the 90s. People now either want anOctavia VRS or a low range A4.

As a brand they have well and truly lost position to Skoda. Look at the VRS advert on TV at the moment, that is the kind of humour that VW used to do on their ads. I think the Fabia is starting to occupy the classless status that VW had nailed with the Mk2 Golf.

Aye have you seen the new polo ad what a joke!!!!:p