Will the new Mk7 see a resurgence in GTi sales?

[ROO1]

Its apparent that GTi sales are a far cry from the glory days of the Mk4 which sold over 17,000 units in 1999. 

The MK4 GTI was a bit of a joke, "GTI" became a trim level - you had the choice of 3 engines: 2.0 Petrol with 115PS (same as the new FSI 1.6 out at the time), 125PS unturboed 1.8 petrol and 150PS turboed 1.8 petrol, before the decent 180PS 25th anniversary came out.

I couldn't agree more. Without upsetting the Mk4 owners, the 4 was a real 'Dud'! Back then the GTi was more like a 'fashion accessory'... a 'must-have'.... a bit like an IPhone I suppose.  I remember virtually every other neighbour on my street owning one.

Unfortunately times has changed  & fashion has moved on. "Cross-overs" seem to be the new rage these days & pseudo 4x4's with high driving positions.  My dealer even went so far as to say that the new GTi would probably account for less than 1% of new Golf sales in their particular dealership.

That's not a bad thing though.  It's a bit like women & their outfits. No woman wants to be seen out at a party wearing the same frock as someone else!!! 

I had 2 new PD150 Golf's which were amazing back in 2003. Nothing could match them for performance and running costs. I agree yes apart from the Anni's the rest were poor.

[AAddict]

My dealership said they had allocation of 8 cars for the launch of GTI & GTD, think I was the 5th at the end of April.

[Sootchucker]

Don't know how many my dealer (Warrington VW) had as an allocation (they are a very large dealer), but I know when I ordered my GTD on the 14th March, the brand manager told me I was his first retail customer for one, and the only other one they had placed on order was for the managing director !

[Pacman_GTI]

In addition to the other factors mentioned on here (increased competition etc.), I think you can trace the decline in hot hatch sales generally to the change to tax bands based on CO2 emissions, the huge rise in petrol prices and the enormous insurance premiums these days. I also think the price of premium hatchbacks (not just hot hatches) is now too close to the junior BMW / Audis - a Golf GT is £22,500, the cheapest 3 series is £23,000.

Having said that, the Mark VII may recover quite a few sales due to its low CO2 emissions & much better fuel economy.

[ROO1]

Don't know how many my dealer (Warrington VW) had as an allocation (they are a very large dealer), but I know when I ordered my GTD on the 14th March, the brand manager told me I was his first retail customer for one, and the only other one they had placed on order was for the managing director !

The order books didn't open till March 26th?

[andykram]

This is all good cos by time I want to buy one in 3 years time no bugger will be buying them so I'll get a great discount!!!

[Sootchucker]

Don't know how many my dealer (Warrington VW) had as an allocation (they are a very large dealer), but I know when I ordered my GTD on the 14th March, the brand manager told me I was his first retail customer for one, and the only other one they had placed on order was for the managing director !

The order books didn't open till March 26th?

Just seeing if you were paying attention 

I meant April 14th ! (Doh)

[dippy_x]

Don't know how many my dealer (Warrington VW) had as an allocation (they are a very large dealer), but I know when I ordered my GTD on the 14th March, the brand manager told me I was his first retail customer for one, and the only other one they had placed on order was for the managing director !

The order books didn't open till March 26th?

Just seeing if you were paying attention 

I meant April 14th ! (Doh)

Interesting... my GTD has been ordered at Warrington as well about a week ago.  Hopefully this means that there isnt too much of a stampede around this area and we wont get too much of a delay