Have VW restricted production of the GTD/GTI too much this time

[Bill_the_Bear]

I don't have a problem with the 20 weeks as such (though for me its now looking like 24 at the earliest).  Last car I bought was about 10 weeks.  They estimated 8 (max 12) when I ordered and it got pushed back 2 from the estimated 8.

What I have an issue with is:
a) Estimates are hugely out.  Not just 1 or 2 weeks... its like an extra 3-4months!
b) VW have some immensely dumb allocation system where each dealer seems to have a "hidden" allocation so when you order you're basically flipping a coin on if you'll be taking delivery soon or never.  And how do you find out which it is?  When the car arrives, that's how.
c) They still can't offer any explanation.

All of the above are very very easy to fix.  .... If they cared that is.

[Nairn1980]

Thanks guys!!!

Having sold cars I know what it's like to sell a factory order car... You don't get a penny until the customer picks it up and it was just as irritating for the salesman sometimes... At the end of the 6 month period the commission often is pretty rotten too!! With this in mind I don't expect the salesman to be m best pal and ring me monthly... So I don't blame the salesman in any of this!

However I expect more from the manufacturer and the overall dealer group.

Will let you know what VW say....

[Bill_the_Bear]

I'm calling them first thing Monday to get a confirmation or denial on if it is the rear view camera holding things up.  If they say that it is I'm gonna kick up a fuss because they explicitly said this would only hold up new orders and I ordered in April.

I really feel like they should be offering to knock a grand off as compensation for this crap, but even if they did it would barely cover my losses in my p/x.   What I will make clear to them is that if they can't do anything this is the first and last time I will be buying VW.

[DougL]

I'm sure they won't give a damn. There are plenty more customers who will come along and order a new car, just because it is a VW. Every VW forum I look at seems to give the dealers and VWUK a thumbs down. VW will only sit up and take note when all their customers desert them not just the GTI buyers. I think they might have underestimated demand for the GTI.

[Bill_the_Bear]

That's up to them.  I'm not self censoring though!

If they did underestimate demand why not just say so and give sensible estimates along with first come first served?  I don't have a problem with the wait, I have a problem with how they've handled it.

[Champagne]

My GTi is my 2nd but my Mk 5 is a 57 plate so not caught up in the initial orders.
However my last car was an Audi TT S Line which also took 5 months from order and was delayed so much that the dealer lent me an A5 for a month (via a lease broker). Not sure I would have got that service direct or not.
I've accepted a free performance pack and am still (hopefully!) getting my GTi when I want it as I ordered early deliberately but I do think overall their customer service and communication has been poor.

[DougL]

That's up to them.  I'm not self censoring though!

If they did underestimate demand why not just say so and give sensible estimates along with first come first served?  I don't have a problem with the wait, I have a problem with how they've handled it.

Oh, I absolutely agree with you. VWUK, their dealers and their customer service set the bar pretty low. The cars are good on the whole with a few notable exceptions (7 speed DSG, 1.4 twincharger engine) and the New Beetle which looke promising on paper but totally failed to deliver.

[Bill_the_Bear]

I've accepted a free performance pack and am still (hopefully!) getting my GTi when I want it as I ordered early deliberately but I do think overall their customer service and communication has been poor.

Hold on, how did you get the PP for free?  They offered you compensation for the delay?  How much delay?

[Aidey]

Id like to know how you went about getting freebies too, as im like Bill, ordered in April and have heard nothing since.

[JamesR27]

I got a phone call from the dealer to let me on Friday that its a 21 week wait on new orders now as was thinking of changing mine.

It put me off wanting a new one so I can only imagine how frustrating it is to be waiting. A lot of us are GTI/GTD repeat customers so you would think they want to keep our custom as we probably spend about 30k on each car with them.