How can a manufacturer like Ford charge upto 725 quid for metallic paint for a Fiesta when Audi charge £340 for a A1?

Seems to me that lack of free paint is another way of making money.

How?  Easily.

 

Why?  because they can.    

 

Just do not play the game, if you do not want to pay then do not.  

 

All stories of Better Residuals need taken with a Pinch of Salt.

Just do not buy a Crazy Colour or one of the Models they put on the Road this month to get them noticed,

or when the Estate comes out.

ie Yellow.

I know..they all seem to charge for white now too! Regardless of metallic or pearlescent or boggo standard white.

Mate of mine spent something stupid like £1500 to get the metallic orange on his Focus ST.

 

Then reversed it along a wall about a week after getting it.

It's all a con. the paint will cost no more at point of manufacture. If you buy a car through a fleet (eg CSMA via Lex Autolease or Volvo Affinity) you are not charged extra for metallic.

Another reason not to buy new.

Last time I looked Skoda were charging the same for metallic paint on a Citigo as a Superb...

Ford may charge £750 for some colours, but not all.

Some are cheaper.

Likewise with Audi, some are cheaper or more expensive.

So Ford don't on average charge double (or more) compared to Audi as the original post suggests.