Somewhat expected, as Skoda was high up in the charts in previous years, but again our brand has finished top European brand among the Japanese in the AutoWeek Customer Satisfaction Trophy. It came third in the overall ranking - only beaten by the usual suspects - while its dealer organization ranked fifth, led by the familiar names from Japan.

Brand

1. Subaru

2. Lexus

3. Skoda

4. Toyota

5. Honda

6. BMW

7. Audi

8. Alfa Romeo, Kia, Volvo

[...]

26. Renault

27. Ford

28. Volkswagen

29. Chrysler

30. Mitsubishi

31. Daewoo

32. Opel

33. Rover

Dealers

1. Lexus

2. Daihatsu

3. Toyota

4. Honda

5. Skoda

6. Subaru

7. Mazda

8. BMW

[...]

27. Renault

28. Seat

29. Peugeot

30. Volkswagen

31. Land Rover

For the first time class awards were issued. The compact class was won hands-down by the Yaris, but the Fabia was the only car to come close. The mid-range class was won by the Impreza, with the Octavia in second. The rep-mobile class was won by the Mazda6, leading the Accord and S60. The BMW 5-series snatched the executive class, beating E-class and A6. MPV with most satistied customers was the Toyota Corolla Verso.

FWIW...

Are the results of that survey likely to have any significant effect overcoming the negative perception of Skoda's products in Holland?

The rep-mobile class

Is that the official name? I could grow to like the Dutch as a race

The BMW 5-series snatched the executive class, beating E-class and A6.

What no Superb? :confused:

It would appear, purely from those results, that the Dutch are slightly behind the UK in their survey. A couple of years ago over here, Subarus were doing remarkably well but have now dropped off (probably since the introduction of firstly the Bug eye, followed by the introduction of the blob eye). Are those results based on the same criteria as the UK tests ie 3 year old cars or is it just for new cars?

Originally posted by DGW in this post

Are the results of that survey likely to have any significant effect overcoming the negative perception of Skoda's products in Holland?

I don't think there is much of a negative perception left over here, Denis. The Dutch are less class-conscious than the British (at least that's my estimation) and with the economy in a downturn people are purely looking at VFM again.

BTW, Skoda finished second to Subaru last year and has always been in the top-five since the survey's inception four years ago.

Lexus was included in the survey for the first time this year, so that's why Skoda dropped a place even though they scored higher than in 2002.

Originally posted by Real Skoda in this post

It would appear, purely from those results, that the Dutch are slightly behind the UK in their survey. A couple of years ago over here, Subarus were doing remarkably well but have now dropped off (probably since the introduction of firstly the Bug eye, followed by the introduction of the blob eye). Are those results based on the same criteria as the UK tests ie 3 year old cars or is it just for new cars?

Cars up to 3 years old are included, so not a particular model year.

Since the inception of the award there hasn't been another winner but Subaru.

I guess the Dutch don't care for looks as much...

THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP!!!

Well done to skoda though, who would have though this ten years ago..

si

Not surprised that Skoda is beating the pants off its parent company!

I have gone from owning VW after VW (4 in all and I am only 25). After the last experience I wont go back, current VW quality is a shadow of what it used to be (MK2 Golf GTi anyone?).

The last one was brand new and a total headache with no help at all from the dealer when virtually everything went wrong.

I'm actually quite surprised Lexus appears in the list at all, as when I left Holland 5 years ago, you could count the dealers who supplied them on one hand.