I had a quick look at one of the first new A3’s to arrive at dealerships back in the summer and was surprised at the level of quality (or lack of) when I spotted it by chance after having had to pop into VW which was just across the road.
My son then took one out on test drive and subsequently ordered one to lease. Like the Mercedes Megane (sorry, A Class) I think that’s the target audience now, millennials sucked in by the badge.
The Skoda has to earn its sales volumes fighting against the trendy badges so is surprisingly good quality even if not the bargain it once was. And I think that’s smart marketing being cheaper but not cheap yet well built and well appointed, aimed at a different (more mature) clientele.
Goes to show VW group *can* still do it if they want to.