Skoda Auto is coming to Oz in October (update July 07)

[phaeton]

Hooray Skoda is coming next year full details this Thursday

http://goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/F7E04C88E7A431B5CA25729C007B085D

www.skoda-auto.com

[rayray086]

Would be interesting to see some more VAG machinery here in Australia! I've only ever seen them in WRC.

[bsting]

We have had Skodas in nz since just after the mk4 came out.
They sell ok here, Octavia, Fabia and Superb models.

My pick of the lot is the Fabia vRS :) a very quick little diesel 6speed.

Bucketloads of torque!

neat fun car that

[phaeton]

Skoda is coming in October releasing at the Australian International Motor Show :D

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=36932&vf=12

http://blogs.drive.com.au/2007/03/would_you_ever_buy_a_skoda.html

[gpk_gti]

in europe the pricing is very aggresive for the skoda and seat vs vw.like to see what the distributor will decide how much to rip us off!! if the base model polo is low $20's ,how much would the fabia be?? $17000?? doubt it.
unless these cars are aggressively priced,they are doomed to fail again in australia.
the only reason hyundai/kai managed to get a foot hold here is that when they first released,they were the cheapest car you could buy.now look at them!!

[brackie]

Let's hope the majority of car buyers have forgotten the Skodas of old. I don't think they will forget the Ladas...but that's another issue (my young bloke has just bought a Niva :rolleyes: )

We've discussed this at length before, but there's no reason why Skodas shouldn't be every bit as good as VWs made in Germany (imho) and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. Notwithstanding, they may depreciate more quickly because they don't have a "prestige" name and their servicing and repair costs will be just as high as VW's the same dealers will no doubt make sure of that :mad: .

As for pricing, the materials that go into the car are just as expensive as those that go into a VW (we can thank world markets and globalization for that) so the only room for a lower price is in cheaper labour or less bells and whistles. bsting....How are they price in NZ?

[Golf Loon]

Yeah pricing would be the key. Id like to see em take on the Japs and even Koreans.

[phaeton]

Skoda NZ Pricelist http://www.skoda.co.nz/showroom/pricing/

re: NZ prices are always higher than Australian pricing ;)

[gpk_gti]

so roughly about $20k for a base model Fabia 1.4l. Are these people that come up with these prices dreaming? whats the base price for the polo?
if they are not going to go head on with competitive pricing against the jap/korean cars,well I think they are in for a very difficult time.:( pity!!

[phaeton]

Heres VW NZs pricelist http://www.vwasia.com/publish/vwasia/new_zealand/en/models/pricelist.html

[bsting]

Click on a car pic.... it will take you to the details....then click on pricing

http://www.giltrap.co.nz/skoda/

How do they compare? model to model and by the aussie spec model.

[phaeton]

http://goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story/274818294B82601FCA25729F001A8473/$file/2.jpg

Top: VGA Boss Jutta Dierks & General Manager of Press & Public Relations (soon to be Skoda Oz boss) Matthew Wiesner at Annoucement of Skoda returning to Oz Middle: Roomster Bottom: New Fabia

2 news articles with full details of whats coming and VGAs expectations

http://editorial.carsales.com.au/car-review/2429115.aspx

http://goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/274818294B82601FCA25729F001A8473

http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,21405844-21822,00.html

[phaeton]

Interview with Matthew Wiesner Skoda Oz Boss by CarsGuide
http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,21432485-21822,00.html

[gpk_gti]

$16000 start!!! skoda will kick ass here!!@@!!

[phaeton]

$16000 start!!! skoda will kick ass here!!@@!!

16K is to close to Polo IMO we'll have to wait and see what happens :)

I was kinda hoping $14K but realistically thinking $15K :D

[gtiono]

Sounds like they will use the new engines and components coming out of "made in China" plants and price the car to compete with the Yaris and Tida's. It could work. Judging from the increase sales numbers for VW and Audi over the last couple years, I think the German/European brands is becoming increasingly trendy nowadays as self expression, image and uniqueness is a big part of popular culture now.

[acdcfan]

$16000 start!!! skoda will kick ass here!!@@!!


Not sure about it ? Toyota, KIA and Hyundai are still cheaper but I would like to think it will sell OK. Feedback from UK is all good with Skodas in top 5 recommended cars with least problems..... heck even beat Golf

[99gti]

The RS looks a bit like the lovely ugly duckling. It's all going to come down to $$$'s. If they enter as a cheap diesel variant they might stand a chance considering the take off of diesel here. Time shall tell.

[flightlessbird]

I think the quality should be ok. There is along history of quality metal work in the area of the Chek Republic that the Skodas are built in and hopefully that is reflected in the product that we will see here. Remember very little of the product we see here is produced by the sweat of German brows.

[phaeton]

An small article on what will be launched in October ;)

http://editorial.carsales.com.au/car-review/2742774.aspx