ED30 Owners... letter to VWUK

[hotrod]

Hi forum buddies,

You’re all aware of the GTI Edition 30 topics in various Golf forums, regarding whether it was ever a limited edition model or not! We now know officially that they’ll produce 2300 units by the end of the mk5’s lifecycle... up from the 1500 originally stated. Also the new GTI 230PS Pirelli ‘Limited Edition’ will be here soon with all the ED30 specs plus a few options thrown in for free. I have now written again to VWUK stating my displeasure and requesting what action they will be taking.

Please see below extracts from my letter which may help you if you’re considering voicing your concerns. All I ask is that you reword the letter (not copy and paste) as I think it would look more professional (imo).

Hope it helps...

Carron Cusworth
Customer Service Centre Advisor
Correspondence Team
Volkswagen (UK)
Yeomans Drive, Blakelands, Milton Keynes  MK14 5AN
Selectapost 12, Sheffield  S97 3ZU     

Dear Carron,

Thank you for your response of the 10th April 2008. However I am unsure which address to reply to as both of your letterheads had different addresses on them... I have replied to both.

As you are aware there has been a frenzy of speculation over the ‘limited edition’ aspect of the Edition 30 recently, and as suspected it wasn’t really a limited edition model after all... perhaps a limited supply, run-out model!

I’m convinced that the pressure applied by disgruntled owners to VWUK has resulted in the very sudden cessation of the Edition 30. It is also disappointing that VWUK stated that a total of 1500 units would be produced and actually 2300 will have been produced by the end of the Mk5’s life cycle. Whether or not you intended to mislead, the question is what will you be doing to correct this mistake?

The appearance of the Golf GTI Pirelli 230PS is also intriguing. This modeI I understand is basically identical to the Edition 30 but comes with different wheels, upholstery, assorted trim and exterior colours and will come crucially with numbered plaques and limited edition status. You have increased the GTI Pirelli retail prices fractionally over the Edition 30 but have now included free front armrest, rear tinted glass and metallic paint... all of which adds up to £660. This is doing Edition 30 owners no favours at all, as many of us paid for these options.

I think the time has come for you to do the honourable thing and properly address these issues.

As a suggestion, you have a database for all the UK’s Edition 30’s, so why not supply retrofit numbered dash plaques and Certificates of Ownership? Also some kind of goodwill gesture to ensure the continued support of your very passionate customers would be helpful.

Please don’t under-estimate the level of feeling over this issue.

Yours.... Hotrod

[CocoPops]

Would be good if we could actually get somewhere with this.

Perhaps get a magazine involved? Seeing as they all ran the "1500 units only" stories.

[182_blue]

my only worry is all the coverage it keeps getting only draws peoples attention to it, and may do more damage than good, all imo of course

[hotrod]

my only worry is all the coverage it keeps getting only draws peoples attention to it, and may do more damage than good, all imo of course

Very good point, maybe target VWUK first, then if no joy go public???
Power to the people!!!

[k4ith]

It would be hard for VW to issue plaq's etc as some Ed30 will have been sold on by the orig owners now.
but you have a point and good luck, i may doctor your letter and send it off too.

[Sweeney]

Wouldnt be too difficult to allocate numbers to chassis numbers. Then make contact with people they have on their system, those of which who reply and want it fitted get it done etc. If its been sold on then theres still no reason they shouldnt be able to walk into a dealer and have it done (under *warranty* of course).

As for the contacting publishers and press, its a very good idea but only after VWUK has had a chance to respond and rectify, they certainly did respond to the last letter... Not often a car owner manages to grab a manufacturer by the b***s and cause them to cease production of a flagship model.

[Komenda]

Did VW actually agree that they would only make 1500 or a 'limited number'. Either way I'm sure they have some we reserve the right small print up their sleeve for just such occassions.

[Phil mcavity]

Wonder shall i put a letter in every though i havent actually picked mine up yet? even though im the 2nd keeper?

[illyun]

I'll be writing just as I did last time 

[Greenouse]

I will also air my dissatisfaction as I have PAID for the very items they are now giving away free! I do suspect though that although we would like to think a dozen or so letters made them pull the plug on the ED30, that this isn't the case. The decision to bring the Pirelli here will have been made at least six months in advance, and ultimately the decision to finish production of the ED30 too.

I will be doing some digging next week as I have contacts at both VW and Audi that will be willing to help. I am also suspecting that the original number of 1500 was a ploy to generate initial excitement/interest and inevitably sales.