http://www.topgear.com/car-news/best-2015/romanian-adventure-skoda-yeti#1

The final paragraph is worth reading a second time:

 

"By the time the Yeti is replaced, it will be over eight years old. And you can forgive Skoda some dithering: its successor has a genuine, plucky little hero to succeed."

The initial few lines are worth reading too.

 

It's hard to buy a bad car nowadays. Why is this relevant? Because in a crowd of capable cars, standing out requires a car to be brimful of character, or exceptionally good at, well, everything. The Skoda Yeti just happens to be both.

But we all knew that anyway.

 

     

and the replacement will be a bland VAG box, not a car with the distinctive character of the yeti

and the replacement will be a bland VAG box, not a car with the distinctive character of the yeti

I fear you are right, the real question is why? Some of the current Yeti's success must surely be related to the fact that it isn't a bland box but has some unique character, so why do manufacturers insist on losing that character when they update models? They started by removing the round fog lights on the facelift model.

It'll be designed for the yuppies n trendies, as in, look at me.

All is not yet lost.  We have no idea about the possible shape, size or techspec of whatever might succeed our Yeti.  Škoda HQ just might be aware of the success of the model and of its enthusiastic following and, despite the apparent efforts of Škoda UK, be planning to build on that success. 

 

We are allowed to wish, at Christmas... 

All is not yet lost.  We have no idea about the possible shape, size or techspec of whatever might succeed our Yeti.  Škoda HQ just might be aware of the success of the model and of its enthusiastic following and, despite the apparent efforts of Škoda UK, be planning to build on that success. 

 

We are allowed to wish, at Christmas... 

We are indeed. But I fear it is just wishes and the cold light of day will result in  another bland "stylised" box for the school run. The original was "original" because Skoda had no idea it was going to be so successful and therefore didn't overthink the design with endless focus groups etc. The new model will suffer all the "input" of the marketing and concept teams.

It was based on the 'commercial' Caddy wasn't it?

A clean sheet one more in line with the trend today.

I very much agree with the sentiments in the previous posts. I went into my local dealer to look at the Mk2 Octavia that was then being heavily discounted to make way for the new model, saw the Yeti, was intrigued by its distinctive look, had a test drive in both cars and spent around £5000 more than I'd banked on to have the Yeti, money which I've never regretted. If it had been a bland box I'd have either come away with the Octavia or being a nuisance on another forum. 

Just a small point on the posts about the success of the Yeti.

That is not a success as in UK sales. 

The Yeti is not the 1st, 2nd or even always the 3rd best selling Skoda model in the UK, and Skoda is not one of the big selling manufacturers in the UK. It was winning awards and coming high in surveys from owners, but that is not a high number of owners as far as the UK goes.

 

So they are success with those that buy and repeat buy, but Skoda UK maybe need to appeal to more actual buyers with 

the next model.

........

 

So they are success with those that buy and repeat buy, but Skoda UK maybe need to appeal to more actual buyers with 

the next model.

And therein lies the problem.

To contain unit costs you have to increase unit sales just to survive.

Oh for goodness' sake!  Cheer up  :sun: !  It's Christmas - the Season of Goodwill to all Men (and Yetis). 

 

The Yeti is not dead!  Both Classic and FL versions are going to be around for a long time yet.  In years to come, tales will be told around the campfire: "Aye, lad, I 'ad a Yeti, back in t'days when folk 'ad motey cars what run on petrol an' like.  Yetis were still runnin' when most of t'others 'ad given oop"  (Sheds tear...)  

For what it's worth, my dealer told me that Yet's are currently out-selling other Skoda models by a factor of 2 or 3. He used to work at a VW dealership in the same group until recently and he's selling many more Skodas than he did VWs. 

For what it's worth, my dealer told me that Yet's are currently out-selling other Skoda models by a factor of 2 or 3. He used to work at a VW dealership in the same group until recently and he's selling many more Skodas than he did VWs.

Personally I don't understand why anyone buys VW. The Tiguan for example is no better than the Yeti yet costs more! How mad is that?

I think the Yeti's brilliant - however, I would have bought an Octavia Scout had it been available in a cheaper 'poverty' spec.

Austerby, what your dealer says is maybe to be taken with a pinch of salt, or is just not true.

Motability Finance the biggest Group Buyer is buying to lease quite a lot of Fabia and Octavia now because the deal is good.

The Mk2 Fabia was selling (first Registering) 32,000 in the UK the year that Skoda was 'Selling' 66,000 Skoda.

(The all new 3rd Generation Fabia has been slow, but now many more are getting sold.)

What slows down sales of New Skoda models in the UK like the Superb or Fabia is the build and delivery times.

Same with the Yeti actually as new engines are being used.

 

http://howmanyleft.co.uk  will let you see just how many Yeti have been Registered in the UK in the first 3 quarters of 2015.

Next year we can see how many in this Quarter.

 

http://skoda.co.uk/news/2013-success-with-new-models

http://skoda.co.uk/news/another-record-tumbles

http://skoda.co.uk/news/skoda-uk-celebrates-record-registrations

Edited 28 December, 201510 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Perhaps Austerby's sales person was talking about his personal sales experience as opposed to SUK or Skoda's results as a whole....?

Indeed that is often the case.

Location location location, the South Coast of the UK might have a Skoda Dealership selling more Yeti and Superb than other models,

maybe even a London Dealership.

Or they might 'Sell' more Yeti, but 'Lease' more Citigo & Octavia.  

Salespeople are never really going to tell a customer, these are not shifting well, so i am delighted i am getting you to sign and buy one.

Sales psychology - I'm not desperate to sell.....they're going like hot cakes.

For what it's worth, my dealer told me that Yet's are currently out-selling other Skoda models by a factor of 2 or 3. He used to work at a VW dealership in the same group until recently and he's selling many more Skodas than he did VWs. 

 

I don't know which make/model outsells another but living on the South Coast I can believe this particular dealer wasn't spinning a line - I've been seeing a lot more Yetis in this area recently and my impression is that most of them are recent FLs (64,15,65 plates) so unlikely to be second hand vehicles being moved around the country. Seldom a day goes by when I won't notice one or two when pottering around the local roads; very different to when I got mine in May 2013 when I could go days without seeing another one - and at that time I was looking out for them.

The positives.

http://skoda.co.uk/news/skoda-yeti-car-dealer-used-car-of-the-year

Edited 28 December, 201510 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Personally I don't understand why anyone buys VW. The Tiguan for example is no better than the Yeti yet costs more! How mad is that?

I think the Yeti's brilliant - however, I would have bought an Octavia Scout had it been available in a cheaper 'poverty' spec.

quite simple really "badge snobbery"

 

"it may be better value for money, but I could never be seen driving a SKODA" , that was a quote from a relative who drives VW's and Audi's

similar yeti report here on pistonheads but easier to read.

similar yeti report here on pistonheads but easier to read.

Thanks - interesting link.

 

Stuck between two automated barriers, less than 30 seconds into my adventure, and I've lost the ticket to exit the car park. [/size]

I witness the harrowing sight of the Skoda's auto wipers sweeping our car keys from its hidden resting place outside into the scenery - at 60mph. [/size]

I can think of a different term than "Pistonhead" to describe this wannabe car journalist!