Parallel Import SKODA

[Fluffy]

just a feeler:

 

what u guys think of getting a parallel imported Skoda including usual 3 year warranty by a workshop that currently does VAG vehicles. Of course these cars would be tropicalised and comes with more options including colors and specs and sold at a price much less than from CA

 

i would be in the running if i could get a vRS for $85-90k with the following

 

1) Audience audio with 12 speaker system option

2) Maxidot

3) self levelling XENON lights

4) Factory fitted front and rear sensors

5) etc.

 

or how about a FL superb 1.8T, with OMV as per now $25k and sold at Mondeo prices? $70-80k on top of that, you'd get

 

1) more options and specs

2) more colors to choose from

3) probably have at least 1 pcs stock of your windscreen

 

 

if you can get a PI Accord, etc, why not a SKODA?

[Try_conti]

err, how are you going to "tropicalised" the cars ?

 

However, no PI would be interested in such low volume "non-saleable" car which have almost "zero" body value. They're only interested in best sellers alternatives.

 

Skoda is something that is "untouchable" to most ppl including PIs & workshops .....

 

But of course with such price & trimmings, good deal leh ....

[Putter]

Ya I agree with you. Skoda PI business may not last long due to low turn-over. That makes people worry of getting Skoda from PI. So chain effect will surely close down the business.

[Fluffy]

you can get them tropicalised from factory.

 

if the PI can sell more cars that CA (who struggles to get people to their showroom) why not?

 

there r workshops who used to depend on VAG cars to survive and when there was a VAG boom around 2002 with many passats, including SEATs and SKODAs they were doing well. Now that C&C is not selling many VWs, there is no more SEATs and CA is doing a pathetic job of selling SKODAs, such workshop may tie in with a PI and bring in Skodas such as the vRS, superb, maybe the 1.6FSI A5 and perhaps the VW golf GTi, the VW Golf GT, the new Jetta and passats.

 

in case you bought the repeated AD in the papers from CA that quotes BBC Top Gear that the Skoda is "reasonably priced", that is in the UK and is out of context in this country.

 

the PI might also offer souped up cars, for example, offer Milotec accessories (not limited to the company linked -autovox tuners) and other accessories and tuning options etc. for you car.

 

believe it or not, some of such workshops have the most up to date software/VAG tool, they have large workshops and have technical mechanics that won't take forever to service/fix your car

 

I'm in for a PI Skoda vRS for about $85k, aren't you?

[Maxxtotal]

Actually I think this is a good idea/proposal. Especially when it is brought in by VAG workshops.

 

Firstly being VAG workshop, they already have working experience and knowlegde in maintaining and servicing VAG cars. This will make it easier for buyer to have rested assurance (since AD is doing lousy job)

 

Secondly as what you say, if they can add to the numbers of VAG cars on the road, it is advantageous to them. Add more jest to the VAG product life-cycle and eco-system to the local market.

 

Having a truely more affordable alternative to those from ADs will certainly benefit the consumer market and very likely to spurr the growth of VAG cars in SG.

 

I will be one willing to consider that alternative since buying from local AD does not give me better value or assurance.

[Lightspeed]

PI would only be able to bring in low volumes, which would mean the price will not be cheaper (not a bigger bulk purchase)

 

Don't forget the Euro Dollar will kill you

 

PI-ed Skodas? I doubt so. But please shoot me if you guys succeed

[Watwheels]

To me I think this idea is a 'no go'.

 

There's a demand in Japanese cars and even JDMs in the majority of the car market.

 

There's only a handful of Skoda demands in comparison.

 

I know of some ppl still see Skoda and Seat as a sub-VW or sub-Audi.

 

They rather spent the money to get a true VW or Audi.

 

Th options/gadgets are expensive and I think the price u mentioned is 'optimisstic' for the vRS.

 

Nothing is free in this world, if u think the car can come with the same price and come with extra options for FREE. FAT HOPE.

 

Just look at the sg car market for European cars. Why pay such high premium for a car?

Actually u'r paying for the warranty for the high tech gadgets u dun really need.

[Try_conti]

If its cheaper than the AD & higher specs, who wouldn't want ?

 

But I can't, not for the next 5 years ... the bank still owns "my" ride.

[Try_conti]

ehh, avatar changed. no more bears ?

 

actually, its not the hi-tech gadgets. Its to line the AD's fat pockets. They'll tell you the warranty story & what not but when it comes to claiming warranty, everything also wear & tear & not covered. If this is not to line their pockets, I dun know what is. Even, servicing at the AD also .

 

That's why those outside VAG workshops can survive, they are capitalising on the frustration of VAG car owners who is smart enough not to be a carrot in the hands of AD.

[Fortress]

I doubt that our cars have been tropicalised, the additional cost to do that. However, had similar experience with the ALfa 164, changed to a larger fan and a radiator from an Espace.

[Watwheels]

Couldn't agree more. VAG in Europe are actually affordable cars. No wonder VW HQ is not happy with our local distributer.

 

Not just VAG, even french cars are suppose to be affordable too. No wonder nowadays local distributer loosing all these distributership.

 

The ang mos should take back the distributerships to compete with the asia makes car market.

 

Make Europeans marks more affordable and have better maintainence customer service.

[Try_conti]

maybe ur avatar shud say AD sucks .....

[Watwheels]

U can have it since u dun have one.

[Fluffy]

PI might be able to bring in models such as the

 

New FABIA

 

or

 

Octavia A5 Sport Edition

 

look at the possibilities of PI the skoda in, and the options available!

[Genie47]

Not AD. It is AS. Authorized Stealer.

[Renegade]

What's the diff?

[Soleution]

Who PI are you refering to? VAG workshop have no license to import vehicle, a lot of so called new PI are actually getting from the main PI, you can see a Swift Sport in one PI at AMK this weekend, same car may be at Turi city the next weekend, they rotate the car for maximum exposure.

 

I don't think PI can survive with commoner model like normal Fabia or Octavia, if they import SEAT Cupra R, vRS highend sport model at a affordable price, maybe can survive.

 

Those model do not need heavy advertising, sell by itself, common line model need a lot of heavy marketing to create awareness, Superb is good, but how many ppl aware that this car exist? until the taxi come out!

 

But the idea of parallel import Skoda or SEAT is alway on my mind...

[Fluffy]

how about the PIs who are currently bringing in the Golf GTI?

 

they might bring in the following models if there is a market interest

 

1) Octavia vRS

2) Superb L&K or Elegence model

3) Octavia Sports

4) Fabia vRS

 

but you are right, hopefully, a PI can take the challenge to sell more SKODA than Czech Auto and perhaps, the AD will go to him.

 

Already, Czech Auto isn't in VAG's good books......... with the C&C saga getting ugly...