Can anybody tell me if Skoda UK or HQ. have ever undertaken a potential new car survey or initial showing before launch?

 

Or a mid life survey for what a customer might like of a replacement model?

 

Up coming example - Fabia mk3 ,how much previous customer input !

 

Never had a survey, to ask if I would like a mk3 vRS - JUST TOLD via TG interview with CEO ,not going to happen!

The reason they say nobody wants a MK3 VRS is because nobody wanted the MK2 VRS, very few of them were sold, if a lot of them sold then there would be a MK3, but they didn't, hence no survey required. But for other things, I don#'t know why they don't send surveys out to be honest.

 But for other things, I don#'t know why they don't send surveys out to be honest.

 

 

Agreed. Like VW assuming that their customers will still be customers when they move the brand up to compete with... Audi. If I wasn't buying an Audi in the first place its unlikely i'd return for a VW priced similarly. And the idea of paying £18k for a Rapid stacked against the same cash for a 6 month old Focus ST isn't all that palatable. 

They must like doing things without asking current customers and actual owners of the models they are failing to sell well to others,

what they might go for next, are they really happy with the model,

and what might make them even more inclined to replace the car with the evolution model, or to highly recommend it to Friends and Family or others.

 

They sold half as many Mk5 Polo GTI in the UK as Mk2 vRS Fabias,

but they are going to offer a Manual & a DSG Polo GTI when they produce the new model in 2015.

 

They seem not to be fully aware in Germany & CZ that people know they have been Building Lemons and Customer Services and Dealerships are Rubbering the Owners that have come to them for Help & assistance with Warranty Issues.

 

Skoda & the Volkswagen Group are going to suffer in the pocket i hope as their reputation gets updated and Magazine Surveys stop giving them a big up on Reliability & Customer Service.

 

Head in the Sand & treat Customers like Mushrooms.

The reason they say nobody wants a MK3 VRS is because nobody wanted the MK2 VRS, very few of them were sold, if a lot of them sold then there would be a MK3, but they didn't, hence no survey required. But for other things, I don#'t know why they don't send surveys out to be honest.

 

The reason why the MKII Fabia Vrs was such a flop was cos the MK I was so good. The MKII should have had a diesel manual and DSG version

The reason why the MKII Fabia Vrs was such a flop was cos the MK I was so good. The MKII should have had a diesel manual and DSG version

I think it would have sold a lot better if there were manual gearbox options as well. I for one will steer well clear of autos from now on, didn't like the Peugeot one bit.

You have to think on...

Forum users (enthusiasts) are in the major minority. Why would they care what 10% of potential buyers want?

They aim to the masses and that certainly isn't a fabia vrs mk3.

Grandpa joe just wants a 1.2 classic that he can run too and fro from the antiques auction or to sunday service once a week

Yeah exactly if you look out for Skodas on the road not many are vRS models well not in this area anyway so the mk3 vRS would represent a minority what they seem to be pushing is practicality I.e. First cars, Family Cars and a Grandpa Joe wagon as said above hence the popularity of the Monte Carlo range as people just don't seem to be interested in the Fabia vRS as much as mk1 or Octavias

Not in agreement with that.

 

I think we have the classic example currently with what works.

 

Octavia vrsMK3 subtle change over the mk2 ,in looks, performance  but minor uplifts in all areas.

 

Bingo ,sales roaring away order books full, productions lines can't keep up.

 

Prices rising and no give aways.

 

So why not that for the Fabia vRS WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILBLE IN THE BINS!

 

Skoda missing the profile opportunity to compete on the same level as the old mk1, would take sales from both ford, Mini ,renault - very poor decision by Skoda CEO in my opinion 

If Skoda had listened to many customer before the launch of the MK2 they would have had many more customer and probably a more reliable package and certainly not the bloody nose of warranty cost and customer dissatisfaction . Also some loyal Customer to the brand have walked away.

 

PERHAPS they should listen and not follow blindly the VW dictate. After all Customers are King / Queen! Skoda should remember that in future.

Unfortunately VW hold all the cards...would they listen to UK buyers?....No

Chris ,

 

I understand where you are coming from but that will never change anything!

 

We are told that these business' are autonomous . 

 

Provided they return a profit to the Parent.

 

Unfortunately the baby is outshining the Parent and in VW world that is smack hands and put on naughty step.

 

Don't see why SKODA should have a different set of business rules for the Octavia and Fabia , provided the offering works in sales and profitability.

 

It was only poor offering package, that failed the mk2, along with poor R&D and quality at VAG. Amounting to a high customer dissatisfaction rating and high warranty cost-death nail for any product.

 

This time they should have learnt their lesson to get it right!

 

As I say parts are in the bins, especially a 150 /180 bhp diesel, which a lot of punters like, should they wish.

 

With a Higher Risk Vrs R 220 bhp later.

 

Look what Seat have done with the Leon 280 bhp two well drive,SO WHAT IS STOPPING SKODA!

Edited 31 May, 201412 yr by vrskeith

Rapid VRS is whats needed. 1.6/1.8tsi with a manual box and plenty of gadgets. Id buy one

No one else would though.

Rapid is a flop IMO. Ugly, boring car. I think it will be dropped soon enough and not updated.

Fabia - bread and butter grandma runabout. Vrs is not needed, polo, A1, Ibiza do it much better.

Octavia - staple and icon of the brand really. Does what every other VAG car of that size does, but cheaper. Has to have a vRS variant, the golf is too expensive and the S4 also, the vRS will sell in droves.

Superb - another staple car of the brand IMO. Big car, all the toys. Ideal retirement or older family car. VRS would be interesting and I think would sell, however, very niche.

Yeti - awesome. VRS would be amazing, I wouldn't be all surprised if there is one being lined up.

Citigo - hmmm. That's a hard one, I'd buy the VW.

As for the Roomster. Words fail me.

Edited 31 May, 201412 yr by Bcc212

Thats the kind of comment often read,

"vRS is not needed, Polo, A1, Ibiza do it much better."

 

The Ibiza Cupra is only available as a 3 door,

the Polo is several Thousand more expensive but is available in 3 or 5 door, & the A1 185, 3 or 5 door more expensive again. The Running Gear is the same on them.

All of these have sold less than half as many in the UK as the vRS, which has sold half as many as Monte Carlos which are available as Petrol & Diesel, Hatch & Estates..But no Automatic Boxes as an Option in the UK.

 

Only the Skoda Twincharger was offered as an Estate

& still undercut the 3 door SEAT & was VFM. Undercuts the cheapest of the other brands 3 doors as well.

 

A Small Warm Skoda 3, 5 door & an Estate is a car that interest many as a replacement that have bought these kind of cars already

that might not actually want something the size or price of an Airport Transfer/Mini Cab type Estate.

 

Plenty in the UK are looking for a choice of interesting models to buy new at say £17,500 as a max,

and have no interest in spending £20,000 plus on bigger vehicles than they need or want to drive,

or are into Badge Snobbery & paying more for another VWG Brand that might look better yet perform no better

or in some cases actually not so good.

 

george

Just re-introduce the mk1 Fabia vRS I say! 

With the 2.0 CR 170bhp engine would be nice too.

 

Sorted.

Edited 1 June, 201412 yr by Mr Ree

It looks like they are doing pretty much that, but without powerful diesels,

it will be Euro 6 Emission engines, but in before the Lock late 2015.

and a Face Lifted version of a Mk2 already Facelifted 4 years ago, 

another modification of the already modified platform rather than the New ones being kept for the Polo Mk6.

 

So Skoda have so much experience of Building Mk1, Mk2, Mk2 FL, and know what worked and what did not,

& what faults and poor manufacturing they had over those evolutions,

that must mean the Prefect Car is about to be released,

every Part tried, tested and retested, 

So no Water Leaks into the cabin, no Rattling or failing Timing Chains & Tensioners,

no Engine or Grearbox Failures, no corroding prematurely Brake and Exhaust Components.

 

'Vorsprung Durch Technik', but said in Czech.

 

5 or 7 Year Manufacturers Warranties should be easy enough to Provide and at no expense to Skoda from 2015,

since they know they build such good products that will require very few Warranty Claims.

Only the Skoda Twincharger was offered as an Estate

& still undercut the 3 door SEAT & was VFM. Undercuts the cheapest of the other brands 3 doors as well.

 

 

 

I thought that was a big selling point of the Fabia as well although there seemed to be very few estates for sale so I'm guessing it wasn't a good seller?  I fancied one after having a shot of a Clio RS 200 as I liked the idea of something smaller than the Octavia but with still some decent boot space however the lack of manual was a deal breaker plus the fact even if I wanted one there weren't many estates second hand.

You are right, not many did sell, there are only 2,800 vRS Twinchargers Registered in the UK & not even a 20% are Estates,

but there are enough good ones on the market,

and probably enough choice at pretty good prices, especially now.

They do cost a bit more than the Hatch new and used, but there are some nice specced ones out their.

& you were only wanting one there are enough to chose from in Scotland or the North of England.

But if the DSG was not what you wanted, then it hardly matters.

 

http://autotrader.co.uk

22 Estates & 78 Hatches advertised just now.

 

SEAT do a pretty good Engine choices in Estates with manual boxes.