I recently got a letter from my local Skoda dealer asking why I hadn't come back to them. Don't think the comments box is big enough to put everything in it. Mainly though due to them not selling what I want (petrol 4x4) and stuff they are selling is so expensive yet cheap looking that BMW and Audi were viable alternatives.

 

Dacia isn't quite there yet, they need to pull their act together regarding crash safety. However, I'd imagine a lot of people don't look at that (given how hard it was to find a used Octy II with curtain airbags) and will just take the cash saving upfront.

 

We've passed Peak Skoda I think and that is why I got off the bus.

The Linkedin profile says it all.  Consumed with sales growth but no mention of customer satisfaction.

 

He must have heard you...

 

Brand Director Skoda UK May 2012 – Present (2 years 11 months)Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

General management responsibility for Skoda Business in the Uk, with 2013 sales of 66,000 cars, and nearly 3% of the UK Market; an increase over 2012 of 24%. Role covers Brand development,Product development/ adaptation for UK Market, Retail development ( working with 140 Retail Partners) Sales Strategy ( Retail, Fleet,Used), After sales Turnover ( Parts, Service,) Customer Satisfaction.

Edited 24 March, 201511 yr by silver1011

He must have heard you...

 

Brand Director Skoda UK May 2012 – Present (2 years 11 months)Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

General management responsibility for Skoda Business in the Uk, with 2013 sales of 66,000 cars, and nearly 3% of the UK Market; an increase over 2012 of 24%. Role covers Brand development,Product development/ adaptation for UK Market, Retail development ( working with 140 Retail Partners) Sales Strategy ( Retail, Fleet,Used), After sales Turnover ( Parts, Service,) Customer Satisfaction.

Maybe he's a member here on the hush.... listed as an owner of mk1 fabia vrs...

 

He must have heard you...

 

Brand Director Skoda UK May 2012 – Present (2 years 11 months)Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

General management responsibility for Skoda Business in the Uk, with 2013 sales of 66,000 cars, and nearly 3% of the UK Market; an increase over 2012 of 24%. Role covers Brand development,Product development/ adaptation for UK Market, Retail development ( working with 140 Retail Partners) Sales Strategy ( Retail, Fleet,Used), After sales Turnover ( Parts, Service,) Customer Satisfaction.

 

 

He clearly has not as he has replaced dealers with a 90%+ satisfaction with ones in the 70%s.

On the basis of early rust issues, and the not great safety testing, im not big on dacia just yet, until they prove they are improving

But theres Not alot else out there at the moment

 

There is a lot of codswallop around NCAP ratings now as the Sandero (which got 4 star rating in 2013 ie same as my Fabia 2) and Logan (which got 3 stars under the 2014 EuroNCAP rating) as both made on on the 5 star Clio Mark 3 Nissan B platform.    You now get marked down for not having seat belt warning for back seat passengers and not having lane departure system.  

 

All Dacias have Electronic Stability Program and I would certainly rather be in a Logan than a CityGo in a rear end colition but then EuroNCAP does not measure rear end collition crash damage. 

All Dacias I have seen come with Continental tyres which is better than some of the Skoda OE I have had with Dunlop and similar relatively poor tyres ie not Conti or Michelin

 

 

Clio III 2005–2014 -The third generation Clio was unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show  The Clio III uses the Nissan B platform, co-developed with Nissan #which Renault has a share in that is shared with the Renault Modus, the Nissan Micra and the Nissan NoteIt is considerably larger and 130 kg 287 lb  heavier as well as being more expensive than the Clio II, and at nearly 4,000 mm in length has almost outgrown the supermini class This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket The new Clio achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, joining the rest of Renault's family at the maximum safety rating with the exception of the Kangoo and the Twingo Sales began throughout Europe in October 2005  It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, becoming the first car to win twice, defeating the rival Volkswagen Passat by just 5 points The Clio was described by several people as the new benchmark for its category and by one judge as a "great little car that should inspire bigger ones"The trophy for the award was presented in January 2006 to the Renault chief executive at a ceremony in Italy organized by Auto Magazine.

It's not just the star ratings. See how they look after crash testing. Check things like how the A pillars hold up and how folded the door is etc. One reason I picked my car is how it seemed to shrug off front and side impact particularly well compared to other 5 star competitors.

Since pretty much everything now gets 5 stars, you'd be a lunatic to get one that doesn't, but that doesn't mean all 5 stars are equal.

Have the Volkswagen Group / Audi now got on with things & all models tested ?

http://bbc.co.uk/news/business-27392157

 

If they do not get caught out do we never find out?

Like all those Millions of Vehicles that had and might still have Airbags that might not deploy,

Now out of Date Airbags still in vehicles on the roads.

Crashed Vehicles that are repaired and Seat Belts not replaced, and maybe Airbags and Crumple Zones, Side Impact Bars not proper 

examined or replaced.

It's not just the star ratings. See how they look after crash testing. Check things like how the A pillars hold up and how folded the door is etc. One reason I picked my car is how it seemed to shrug off front and side impact particularly well compared to other 5 star competitors.

Since pretty much everything now gets 5 stars, you'd be a lunatic to get one that doesn't, but that doesn't mean all 5 stars are equal.

 

Which Subaru do you have and what year may I ask?  

MY2014 Forester XT.

At my local dealerships Service Desk two years ago, with the car now delivered and booked-in for its annual service:-

 

Receptionist: "That's your car booked in Mr Clunkclick. Is there anything else we could do for you ?"

 

Slight pause:

 

Me: "Yes. Only a minor thing. The bonnet catch is dirty and I don't think its been cleaned or greased for some time (Like since new from the same dealership). If you could do that, it would be great".

 

Receptionist: "We can do that"

 

Makes notation on service documentation.

 

Hopes raised, I skip out the dealership to return later in the day to pick it up. No problems. The service documentation I'm handed shows on the completed service item tick-list that the bonnet catch has been attended to (Big fat tick). That's good I'm thinking.

 

Get home, open the bonnet to do the cursory post service check, bonnet catch  still as  dirty and dark as  Newgate's Knocker. Bugger. Oh well, I think,  Just an oversight.

 

So, one year ago, same routine, before and after  the annual service. Documentation ticked, of-course. Get home, inspect, no change.

 

This year when I went in there were so many other things that I wanted done, I just didn't bother asking.

 

That's the five star award for how to  turn-off customers without trying. The customer is inclined to think,if they can't be fagged to do that, what else is being neglected ? Why pay £200-£300 a year for servicing and have to bark yourself ?

 

When this attitude is blatantly manifest it almost conditions the customer. Eventually, you  start thinking that you are in the wrong for asking, and your're conditioned to respond as if you were resident behind the Iron Curtain and the Stasi were asking the questions i.e. you always give big brother the answer they are looking for rather than what you want.

 

And all this done against a background of sales doing a China syndrome. And they make it blantantly obvious that they so desperate for  sales that they ask you at the service desk why don't you buy a new car ? - Subtle. Answer "Can't afford one".

 

This year, on the occasion of the service,  I get a phone call mid-afternoon to say they've detected an error code on the EGR valve and it needed replacing @ £350. I tell 'em that the VCDS scan I had done that morning before taking the car in showed nothing.They tell me there's no CEL light showing, I smell a rat and query the remedy and, after an hour, he comes back to me and says it can be cleaned for £40. So, I say do nothing, its got a MOT, I'll take it as is. Get it home, VCDS it again, he presto EGR code shows up. I zero it, run the car for a further two weeks. Re-scan, no re-occurrence. Nugatory work mongering or genuine fault ? Who  knows ? What is known is the Net result.  Customer even more ****ed-off and paranoid.

For my pains this time, they managed to break-off the snib on the pull-down cover for the diagnosis cover and left it on the centre console and also left a strange metal "I" bracket in the diagnosis cavity - presume that's off the relay housing cover - nice.

 

With treatment like that they could be on a kick-up the arse to nothing for another sale. And yet they seem to expect it as a right !

 

 

Am I being unreasonable ?

 

Another set of course members for the remedial customer consideration and care course at MK ?

 

If Skoda get any more friendly they'll be offering free duff-ups from the Jeremy himself.

 

Nick

Edited 25 March, 201511 yr by Clunkclick

MY2014 Forester XT.

 

A relatively safe car for a small off-roader.

 

Forrester http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/subaru/forester/10949

Side impact (car) 8 points 

Side impact (pole) 6.5 points

 

Logan http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/dacia/logan-mcv/7865

Side impact (car) 7.2 points

side impact (pole) 5.4 points

 

Not that you can put a price on safety of course but the Forrester costs about three times as much as the Logan.

Compared to the original Mini, Truimph Spitfires, Mk 2 Escorts and motorcycles I still ride the Logan is a Fortress.

Intend to use the Logan mostly on my own to work and hauling 600/1500 litres of stuff helping people move.

Certainly would like an RS6 or similar (UK's most unrelaible car?) but will have to wait as a retirement present to myself.

We're getting way off topic here.

But, what you link makes my point. In the front collision, the Logan's A pillar has collapsed and there is a massive amount of intrusion into the cabin in the pole test.

Yep, the Forester is far more expensive, but the Dacia is cheap for a reason. I have no doubts its a perfectly fine car in other ways and should be practical and reliable, however I may over-worry things and wouldn't want to be in one in a crash. Safety has moved on since the death traps of the 60s, but Dacia haven't moved forward as far as others in this one thing. I'd rather buy a couple of years old used car than a new Dacia for that reason.

They are, however, very much shaping up to be the new Skoda

We're getting way off topic here.   But, what you link makes my point. In the front collision, the Logan's A pillar has collapsed and there is a massive amount of intrusion into the cabin in the pole test.

Yep, the Forester is far more expensive, but the Dacia is cheap for a reason. I have no doubts its a perfectly fine car in other ways and should be practical and reliable, however I may over-worry things and wouldn't want to be in one in a crash. Safety has moved on since the death traps of the 60s, but Dacia haven't moved forward as far as others in this one thing. I'd rather buy a couple of years old used car than a new Dacia for that reason.   They are, however, very much shaping up to be the new Skoda

 

Hear what you are saying.  The front pillar deformation did not worry me.  The fact it move 2 inches instead of half an inch is not so important.  There is a good chance you would have to be cut out of most 40 mph and above crashes.  Any car in a 40 crash is going to be toast.

 

The only point that I really looked up at was the deformation of the footwell which is disapointing.  I did find the footwell cramped but then I am use to only having 3 pedals.  The Logan scored similarly my Fabia 2 in NCAP.  I think people who sit far forward so take note.   I sit with the seat as far back as it can go as does the passenger as there is quite a lot of rear cabin space in the Logan.

 

Yes the Logan is a car of two generations ago and I discussed this with where I bought/leased the car ie Savilles.  Other Renault/Dacia garages did not display the EuroNCAP rating prominately which I think all dealers should do.  

 

Car dealerships are there to sell cars, cover their costs and try and make a profit.   I have just found Skoda, and other VAG group delalerships as I have had A3/A4/SEAT Leon Cupras, mostly poor on most counts ie info, knowledge.  When you find a very good one like I have with Savilles here in Worcestershire ones personality loyalty superceeds branding to much extent.  Toyota, GM, VAG, Nissan-Renault (Dacia) all make good cars.   As it has been said " biiult my robots, driven my morons."  I intend to have a Renaultsport Clio or Megane as my alternate car which, as is usually with Renault, to be near the top of the safety rating and combined with great dealer service they will both be places I am happy to spend half of my working week as I do around 1K miles a week by car.  Much as I like Subarus, particulary the new WRX, even with a fuel card, I am not sure I can afford the 27 mpg, road tax or CO2 rating as my company is sensitive about such things.

Sorry OT,  but, re post #36.  "a relatively safe car for a small off-roader". 

 

A Subaru Justy might have been described as small,

or a Panda, a Jimny, a Terios none which have or had much safeness, just small and light.

but 1,477 - 1,622kg Unladen and 4,595mm long is only considered Small in the likes of the US.

Hear what you are saying.  The front pillar deformation did not worry me.  The fact it move 2 inches instead of half an inch is not so important.  There is a good chance you would have to be cut out of most 40 mph and above crashes.  Any car in a 40 crash is going to be toast.

 

 

 

If it moves 2 inches in a 40mph impact, what happens at 60 or 75....

Without going into major research and maths checks, if an A pillar deforms 2inches (major deflection for its length..) then its has exceeded its Plastic load limit already, so any increase impact is going to see it completely crumple.... half inch deformation is a good chance of remaining (mostly) elastic - so hasnt gotten too close to its limit. It shows that yeah, the Clio iii may have tested better than the Dacia's built on same platform why -  is the material thickness, composition and assembly carrried out to the same standard as when Renault developed it while Dacia build with it...

Correct,skoda getting arrogant and expecting things to stay same

Reminds me of local Ford garages 20 years ago - not good

Emailed local dealer recently for a price on my car as I don't need one

Their quote was bet twice that day by £1000

'Your cars retail value is 8k sir.....'

So what about the one for sale in the next garage to yours for 9k?

As for the new Fabia,rapid etc the less said the better and for those reasons my next car will not be VAG

But the £9,000 was just an Asking Price, & some pay that, and think they get a great deal getting that reduced,  and we all like a trier.  

 & then Business pay Taxes on Profits, well mostly.

At my local dealerships Service Desk two years ago, with the car now delivered and booked-in for its annual service:-

 

Receptionist: "That's your car booked in Mr Clunkclick. Is there anything else we could do for you ?"

 

[...]

 

 

Am I being unreasonable ?

 

Another set of course members for the remedial customer consideration and care course at MK ?

 

If Skoda get any more friendly they'll be offering free duff-ups from the Jeremy himself.

 

Nick

 

That's not just Skoda that's just about every franchise. High margin low quality, plug in the scanner and replace the part with a 'kit' no thought or investigation required because time = money.

 

And that's when you discover the happiness that is a good indy. I've never really found indy's much cheaper than franchises but the work ethic is so much better because it's their business and a bad report or two could ruin them.

Edited 26 March, 201511 yr by Aspman

At least Skoda UK now has Alasdair Stewart as the Brand Director at the head, 

and he can hopefully use all that experience from  Bentley, Bugatti (Porsche) to be sure that the valued customer ethos is brought to Private Buyers and owners of Skodas, and not only to the Fleet & Corporate Buyers.

 

Getting right Customer Satisfaction from the Product and the Official Dealerships,

and Skoda Customer Services and After Sales Warranty Experiences should be right up his street.

& maybe he can get the Factories and Parent Company to ensure Quality Control from the off is improved,

More Profits then for Dealerships and less grief all around.

 

Vorsprung Durch Technik.

'Design them right, build them right, and if you get it wrong, admit it, listen to those that get a Lemon, and sort it out properly'.

*Sort out the faults before discontinuing a Model, and then starting again replicating the same faults with the nest All New Model. *

Edited 26 March, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

I don't know whether others have noticed, the Fabia, like so many other cars nowadays,   comes with guarenteed spinal deformation for the driver already built into the cabin ergonomic design. It doesn't need a crash.

 

Driving seat position yawed with slight toe-in in order to make access to foot-controls possible, these being displaced to the left by an intrusive wheel well in the footwell. So, to look straight ahead at the road through the windscreen you have to twist your head to the right.

 

So driver welfare compromised in favour of sleek external lines i.e. increased sales.

 

Not-to-worry, its got type-approval, the mass of the plebes won't notice, as long as its got the latest  distracting high-tech musical lawnmower installed in the dash,  who cares ?

 

 

Nick

Edited 26 March, 201511 yr by Clunkclick

That's not just Skoda that's just about every franchise. High margin low quality, plug in the scanner and replace the part with a 'kit' no thought or investigation required because time = money.

 

And that's when you discover the happiness that is a good indy. I've never really found indy's much cheaper than franchises but the work ethic is so much better because it's their business and a bad report or two could ruin them.

If I'd have done that in the Public Service I used to work in, on discovery, I'd have got my arsehole well-and-truly reamed.

 

Nick

My personal bug bear is the screenwash charge that gets added 'automatically' every visit to the dealer.

 

I fill the screenwash before it goes.

 

Everytime, everytime I have to challenge it. It's nothing compared to the rest of the bill but it ****ed me off that they do it.

re post #45.

that will be right hand drive versions i take it of cars that really suit being left hand drive better as far as the drivers position.

 

The Left hand drive position driving on Mainland Europe or elsewhere is pretty good.

Edited 26 March, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

Yeah it was the seating that made me sell my Octavia and get a car designed for RHD. No more back and leg ache!

 

The Octavia III is such a terrible RHD conversion there was no way I was going to get one.

Yeah it was the seating that made me sell my Octavia and get a car designed for RHD. No more back and leg ache!

 

The Octavia III is such a terrible RHD conversion there was no way I was going to get one.

 

Well me Honda has buttons laid out in such a bizarre pattern I don't think it being made by a rhd nation made a lot of difference.