... the more I question the likes of Skoda UK to limit the choice of models/engines that are available.   

 

I can understand them only wanting to import certain specifications for stock i.e. ones likely to sell well but other than that why can't we have exactly what we want rather than them dictating to us, good examples being the 1.4 petrol being available in other than the L&K, black interior trim in the L&K etc., more paint colours etc.

 

Given that many specifications for many markets are built in the same factories there is no good reason (that I can see) that this cannot be the case?

 

I can understand their reasons of course i.e. influencing customers towards an L&K for instance, in order to maximise profits, but this has a downside as well in that some will go elsewhere because they can't get what they want and if they can don't want an over-specced vehicle to do so.

 

If I wasn't doing a three day commute that made a diesel viable from the DPF/EGR point of view, then I would have gone for a 2WD 1.4tsi SE L. But as that isn't "allowed" over here I would have been forced to go elsewhere.

...why can't we have exactly what we want...

 

Because supplier control is more important and profitable that customer choice.

 

But I agree - I would probably prefer to have a 1.4 SEL than a 1.4 L&K and save myself £4,000 at the same time.

Remember that the previous 1.4 was a poor seller; it was badly priced compared to the 1.2 and TDI and its emissions weren't brilliant so high road tax for what it was. Dieselgate and the general move of trajectory back towards petrol are seeing Skoda slow to catch up.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

But when there is a 3 month wait for the L&K (that nobody wants) why should they alter their ways?

Only three months? I wish....

Only three months? I wish....

LOL

 

Ordered mine 30th September and collected it 22nd December.

If we were a left hand drive market it would be much easier for SUK to request a wider range of models but you will find they will be restricted to a specific number of variations and will only choose what they think will sell well.

If we were a left hand drive market it would be much easier for SUK to request a wider range of models but you will find they will be restricted to a specific number of variations and will only choose what they think will sell well.

This would make sense if cars were built for stock, and not to order. I have heard that well over 90% of UK Skodas are built to order, on the same line as non UK vehicles, so why the limited choice? It does not make sense.

 

Colin

Even when cars are built to order there will be restrictions based on which vehicles each production line is setup for. The lines have to be setup for the range of specifications that can be ordered.

Maybe VW gets first priority and supply is short due to an increased demand for petrol over diesel in the U.S. particularly.

...

 

If I wasn't doing a three day commute that made a diesel viable from the DPF/EGR point of view, then I would have gone for a 2WD 1.4tsi SE L. But as that isn't "allowed" over here I would have been forced to go elsewhere.

Exactly as I did! However I wanted a petrol 4x4 without brown leather seats.

For a mere £400 extra, it's a no-brainer to me.

Think of a more desirable version of any car and notice how few are for sale compared to the 'common' version; which one would you like to have come trade time?.

Even when cars are built to order there will be restrictions based on which vehicles each production line is setup for. The lines have to be setup for the range of specifications that can be ordered.

Maybe the case years ago but nowadays there is no justification for that.

 

Watched that programme on the Mini a little while ago and they could accommodate every specification required using Just In Time etc.

 

Maybe the Skoda factory isn't as sophisticated?

 

I don't think dropping a 1.4 into an SE L for example should cause them any difficulties?

Exactly as I did! However I wanted a petrol 4x4 without brown leather seats.

Yes, that's probably the most unfathomable of their decisions!

Maybe the case years ago but nowadays there is no justification for that.

 

Watched that programme on the Mini a little while ago and they could accommodate every specification required using Just In Time etc.

 

Maybe the Skoda factory isn't as sophisticated?

 

I don't think dropping a 1.4 into an SE L for example should cause them any difficulties?

That's the whole point - in order to setup just in time and have it work properly the parameters and variants have to be setup and planned in advance. BMW will have done this for the MINI and the options they offer. Skoda will have done it too for what they offer. If SUK want to add variants this will require Skoda adjusting their just in time programme so will only do it if SUK can justify it. MINI is slightly different in this respect as one of their USPs is customisation but - and this is an important but - the vast majority of MINI customisations are cosmetic/body/interior and the number of mechanical options (eg engine/gearbox) is still as limited as Skoda or anyone else.

I know what you are saying but they are already doing the other variants for other markets so it's just a case of making them available in RH drive form.

 

They are already putting the 1.4 in the L&K so it's not as though they have to do anything major, just reducing the spec. to provide the "lesser" models - as per your examples for the Mini inc. wheels, trim etc.  Nothing particularly difficult. 

 

Anyway, we will see!

They could be maximising profit due to a restricted supply for the UK market due to non-diesel world demand.