Audi To Revamp Dealer Experience

-Chris-

I just came across these two articles:

http://www.businessandleadership.com/news/article/19682/leadership/audi-to-invest-80m-in-boosting-irish-presence

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0204/1224263733239.html

Audi are investing €80m in order to become no. 1 - a brave move in the current climate.

They'll be reducing their dealer network from 34 to 14, and presumably being stronger with each of those dealers to ensure they're up to spec with regards to stock, showroom, parts availability etc.
But having fewer dealers will mean a longer trip to get to your "local" dealer.
If there were better qualified techs and better customer service would you be prepared travel further to get the work done?

They're also talking of investments of €5m-8m for each dealer. In the current market, would you have the confidence to take this on? I believe, if managed properly, the end result will be a much improved dealer experience for their customers.
The manufacturers have big ideas about how their dealers should look/act/operate, but in the real world, do you think the Irish Motor Industry really can achieve that level of aspirational excellence?

Mr Benevolent

-Chris- wrote: »

I just came across these two articles:

http://www.businessandleadership.com/news/article/19682/leadership/audi-to-invest-80m-in-boosting-irish-presence

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0204/1224263733239.html

Audi are investing €80m in order to become no. 1 - a brave move in the current climate.

They'll be reducing their dealer network from 34 to 14, and presumably being stronger with each of those dealers to ensure they're up to spec with regards to stock, showroom, parts availability etc.
But having fewer dealers will mean a longer trip to get to your "local" dealer.
If there were better qualified techs and better customer service would you be prepared travel further to get the work done?

They're also talking of investments of €5m-8m for each dealer. In the current market, would you have the confidence to take this on? I believe, if managed properly, the end result will be a much improved dealer experience for their customers.
The manufacturers have big ideas about how their dealers should look/act/operate, but in the real world, do you think the Irish Motor Industry really can achieve that level of aspirational excellence?

Looks like a fair few job losses for Audi Ireland. Hope this improves the brand for them though.

daveharnett

-Chris- wrote: »

But having fewer dealers will mean a longer trip to get to your "local" dealer.
If there were better qualified techs and better customer service would you be prepared travel further to get the work done?

Absolutely. I do have a couple of questions though - while Audi can specify mechanic certification, stock levels and so on, how do they evaluate the human side of the customer experience? Do they have regular mystery shoppers?

And what happens when a dealer consistently fails to achieve the required standard? With the reduced network, de-listing a regional dealer could leave an awfully big geographic gap couldn't it?

-Chris-

daveharnett wrote: »

Absolutely. I do have a couple of questions though - while Audi can specify mechanic certification, stock levels and so on, how do they evaluate the human side of the customer experience? Do they have regular mystery shoppers?

And what happens when a dealer consistently fails to achieve the required standard? With the reduced network, de-listing a regional dealer could leave an awfully big geographic gap couldn't it?

MDL always did a bit of mystery shopping as part of their dealer assessment, but I don't know what they ever did with that information other than handing it to the Dealer Principal in question.
I'd expect Audi Ireland to be a bit more strict on this though.

I'd fully expect dealers to get slaps on the wrist, and even franchise removal if they consistently refuse to live up to the standards. I heard stories when BMW Germany took over the show here that on dealer visits they'd carry a stick with them, and they'd hold the stick between the cars in the showroom to ensure the display cars weren't parked too close together.
I expect Audi have a template for what a "good dealership" looks like and acts like, and they'll enforce that template on their dealers.

I was in Frank Keane's yesterday for the first time in years yesterday, and I was amazed at the standard of the display, the customer area etc. - I can't think of a single Audi dealer I've been in who comes close.
I don't know how the staff measure up, but the "experience" certainly seemed better.

I went out to the Audi Centre in Ballsbridge today, and all I could think was "wow, that's just as nice as Keane's" - from the range of cars, to the consistency of the displays & branding, to the selection of accessories and merchandise. It's the first Audi dealer in Ireland that I've seen that seems like they're selling a premium product rather just another car.

Berty

LOL. I was wondering, reading your post Chris, what the Germans were doing with the stick.

ZEE BAD CUSTHOMERS SHERVICES. *WHACK *WHACK *WHACK

peasant

-Chris- wrote: »

But having fewer dealers will mean a longer trip to get to your "local" dealer.
If there were better qualified techs and better customer service would you be prepared travel further to get the work done?

The short answer (in my case) would be: no

The fact that I would have to take a days holiday to get my car "dealer serviced" would most likely persuade me to buy a car of a different make.

But for what it's worth, I think that the motor industry in general has taken a totally wrongfooted approach in supplying rural Ireland (i.e anything outside the pale)
Continental style chrome blazing showrooms just don't answer in the sticks. Costs are ramped up so high that other vital parts of the service experience suffer. Ballygobackwards simply hasen't the customer base to support a gleaming showroom, umpteen suited sales people and the latest piece of Italian made coffe making equipment while supporting qualified service staff.

So what, if the new cars stand too close together or if the demo model has to be brought in specially ...the oily end of things must be right in order to build and maintain a loyal customer base and it's the oily end that currently suffers most appalingly.


Mine is an extreme example ...but I have to tell my local VW dealer the exact part numbers (gleamed from the internet) of parts that I need because they can't find them on their system otherwise. And then I have to take those parts somewhere else to get fitted because they openly admit that their mechanics wouldn't know what to do with my vehicle in the first place as it doesn't answer to the computer diagnostics. Even when provided with the original VW workshop procedures (once again gleamed from the internet) they refuse to do the job.

After such an experience ...would I ever consider buying a car from them?

_Kaiser_

peasant wrote: »

Mine is an extreme example ...but I have to tell my local VW dealer the exact part numbers (gleamed from the internet) of parts that I need because they can't find them on their system otherwise. And then I have to take those parts somewhere else to get fitted because they openly admit that their mechanics wouldn't know what to do with my vehicle in the first place as it doesn't answer to the computer diagnostics. Even when provided with the original VW workshop procedures (once again gleamed from the internet) they refuse to do the job.

After such an experience ...would I ever consider buying a car from them?

To be fair though, is this referring to the old VW Transporter you (I think its you - if not stop here! ) have, that's left-hand drive and over 20 years old?

While I see your point, I'd think that's a specialist job anyway. I do think that VW needs to raise its game alright. As I've posted before, I've taken to going north with my 06 Passat as aside from the significantly cheaer prices, I find the overall attitude and customer care to be a lot better.

As a customer I don't particularly care about fancy showrooms or how nice the coffee is. Let's face it, aside from the initial purchase, most of your experience will be in the (sometimes offsite) servicing/parts department (which is nowhere near as fancy!) and it's here that customer loyalty is won or lost.

Big Nasty

Heard about this moths ago and to be honest I think it's a disgrace. So out of 34 Audi dealerships (I actually didn't think there was that many) 20 are going to loose their franchise even though they probably spent over €5m sometime over the last ten years upgrading their showrooms and workshops to Audi's spec, a spec may I add that you rarely see in the UK or mainland Europe. Secondly, the 14 remaining dealers (may not be correct either as I believe they have to apply all over again) will have to spend yet another €5m+ to satisfy the 'new' standards. All at a time when dealerships are on their knees (in part due to having to build the existing glass palace in the first place), can barely afford their repayments and are struggling to stay afloat never mind spend another €5m+ to satisfy Audi GmbH.

North Cork

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Heard about this moths ago and to be honest I think it's a disgrace. So out of 34 Audi dealerships (I actually didn't think there was that many) 20 are going to loose their franchise even though they probably spent over €5m sometime over the last ten years upgrading their showrooms and workshops to Audi's spec, a spec may I add that you rarely see in the UK or mainland Europe. Secondly, the 14 remaining dealers (may not be correct either as I believe they have to apply all over again) will have to spend yet another €5m+ to satisfy the 'new' standards. All at a time when dealerships are on their knees (in part due to having to build the existing glass palace in the first place), can barely afford their repayments and are struggling to stay afloat never mind spend another €5m+ to satisfy Audi GmbH.

The the ones that loose Audi will probably become a SKODA dealer:D

-Corkie-

I have heard that more manufacturers are goin down this road. Honda are doing it anyway, I was told who else but i cant think now. I was in portumna latley and i see al hayes has one of these glass houses. God its some improvment on what he had and where it was.. Their was fields full of cars lying all over the place..

Big Nasty

malcox wrote: »

I have heard that more manufacturers are goin down this road. Honda are doing it anyway, I was told who else but i cant think now. I was in portumna latley and i see al hayes has one of these glass houses. God its some improvment on what he had and where it was.. Their was fields full of cars lying all over the place..

Al Hayes are a huge dealership and generally carry cq 400 used cars and commercials. As you say their site was like a knackers yard up until a few years ago until they invested in the glass palace. Now it looks like they will have to invest again, or maybe loose the franchise altogether because I doubt the powers that be will consider Portumna a central hub for Connaught. Surely Galway city or Sligo would make more sense.

VolvoMan

BMW have already tried this and failed. They ended up getting rid of dealers who once sold up to eight hundred cars a year during the good times, so why are Audi now bothering? I know it does nothing to enhance my perception of the brand anyway as I only see it as arrogance on their part.

-Corkie-

Thats true but he is a huge dealer though. I bought a new car of him self a good few years ago. Its a kind of a place when you go their you do buy of them. The last time i was in the old place their was people their from sligo buying cars!!

pburns

I think it's all a load of bo110cks and it would put me off buying a particular marque if I think I'm paying through the nose for the image diktat of a bunch of marketing people with strangely shaped spectacles. I'd prefer the money to be in the engineering or spec.

I hate the modern dealership experience it's so antiseptic. I'd buy off a guy in a shed as long as I knew the car was kosher (in fact I have, a demo model sourced through a main dealer).

Big Nasty

VolvoMan wrote: »

BMW have already tried this and failed. They ended up getting rid of dealers who once sold up to eight hundred cars a year during the good times, so why are Audi now bothering? I know it does nothing to enhance my perception of the brand anyway as I only see it as arrogance on their part.

Correct and right - Maxwell Motors being a perfect example. Any multi franchise dealer that encompass the BMW & Mini brands have to have separate showrooms, separate work shops and even separate accounts online for their used stock! :eek:

In fact this is the case with a lot of franchises these days.

RedorDead

The 34 is made up of mostly service dealers. Currently Audi have 16 Sales and Service sites and 18 service only sites. Most of these 18 service only sites would be ex dealers that didnt want to invest in new showrooms.

Audis service and aftersales representation is currently awful which is why they are basically cancelling everyone.

The plan is to appoint 8-10 companies to represent the network in upto 14 sales and service outlets. The rural sites will not be as large as the urban sites.

20 expressions of interest would indicate there is money to be made there somewhere. Audi are amongst the most profitable car companies in the world but how long would it take to make the 3 to 5 million back?

I suppose to have any chance to make the investment back you need to selling x amount of cars and servicing y amount of cars which is why they are downsizing their network?

VolvoMan

RedorDead wrote: »

20 expressions of interest would indicate there is money to be made there somewhere. Audi are amongst the most profitable car companies in the world but how long would it take to make the 3 to 5 million back?

The VW Group really made a great job of them alright. Lessons could have been learned by the likes of Ford on their management of the brand.

Big Nasty

RedorDead wrote: »

The 34 is made up of mostly service dealers. Currently Audi have 16 Sales and Service sites and 18 service only sites. Most of these 18 service only sites would be ex dealers that didnt want to invest in new showrooms.

Audis service and aftersales representation is currently awful which is why they are basically cancelling everyone.

The plan is to appoint 8-10 companies to represent the network in upto 14 sales and service outlets. The rural sites will not be as large as the urban sites.

20 expressions of interest would indicate there is money to be made there somewhere. Audi are amongst the most profitable car companies in the world but how long would it take to make the 3 to 5 million back?

I suppose to have any chance to make the investment back you need to selling x amount of cars and servicing y amount of cars which is why they are downsizing their network?

Yeah I thought 16 would be more like it alright, and now that you say it I'm pretty sure the original final figure I heard would be 8 not 14 which still results in 8 lost investments.

But answer me this - how does reducing your network ensure more sales? The current dealer specs are more than good enough as is. Service on the other hand needs improvement. Wouldn't it make more sense to increase performance regs here whereby you loose the franchise if you do not comply?

daveharnett

peasant wrote: »

So what, if the new cars stand too close together or if the demo model has to be brought in specially ...the oily end of things must be right in order to build and maintain a loyal customer base and it's the oily end that currently suffers most appalingly.

Agreed, the quality of the staff is much more important than the coffee. I drive forty miles, passing the main dealer and ten other garages along the way to get to a mechanic who knows his stuff and treats his customers' cars with respect.

That being the case, I'm sure that there is a case to be made that reducing the size of the network will allow Audi to improve the standards of staffing as well as the cosmetic stuff.

That's not to say that the cosmetic stuff is irrelevant. While a lot of people are saying that a shiny showroom doesn't matter to them, for people who are window shopping of a Sunday afternoon, a 'glass palace' is just the ticket. It seems clear that that the volkswagen group knows a thing or two about selling cars.

Big Nasty

daveharnett wrote: »

That being the case, I'm sure that there is a case to be made that reducing the size of the network will allow Audi to improve the standards of staffing as well as the cosmetic stuff.

No offence but that's a load of bo*****s! If Audi Ireland can't manage to direct 16 dealerships correctly they need a bloody good kick in the arse from Audi GmbH.

daveharnett

MCMLXXV wrote: »

No offence but that's a load of bo*****s! If Audi Ireland can't manage to direct 16 dealerships correctly they need a bloody good kick in the arse from Audi GmbH.

None taken;). The evidence is that they can't, and they do.

-Chris-

I'd think 14 sales dealers is probably enough if they're spaced ok, but there should definitely be a far larger service network.

I wonder how scalable the "glass palace" is - as in how much smaller you can make it in Ballygobackwards and still have the desired effect.

@VolvoMan - do you really think BMW have failed with their actions - true they lost Maxwell's and probably one or two other long-time dealers, but it doesn't seem to have had any effect on their market share, and the remaining dealers who did invest now have a larger slice of the pie.


I'm surprised to here there's only 16 sales sites - how many were there a few years ago? I can think of 6 in Dublin alone. Brady's, Ballsbridge and Foster no longer have their franchise and Belgard's gone bust.
Do Brady's and Ballsbridge losing/giving up their Audi franchises pre-date the MDL > VWGI changeover? How long has this plan been in motion?


As for whether Audi can manage 16 dealerships, it's probably too early to tell - they barely have their feet under the desk. I expect in the long run they'll be much harder and harsher than MDL.

VolvoMan

-Chris- wrote: »

@VolvoMan - do you really think BMW have failed with their actions - true they lost Maxwell's and probably one or two other long-time dealers, but it doesn't seem to have had any effect on their market share, and the remaining dealers who did invest now have a larger slice of the pie.

Recession or no recession, I have seen a declining number of brand new BMW's on the road compared to Audi's and Merc's of late. Some may argue that it's down to their product range getting on a bit, but I do strongly believe that dropping the names synonymous with BMW around Ireland wasn't a good move.

I'm surprised to here there's only 16 sales sites - how many were there a few years ago? I can think of 6 in Dublin alone. Brady's, Ballsbridge and Foster no longer have their franchise and Belgard's gone bust. Do Brady's and Ballsbridge losing/giving up their Audi franchises pre-date the MDL > VWGI changeover? How long has this plan been in motion?

Ballsbridge and Brady's have lost the franchise a good while now I think.

It's news to me that Foster lost Audi. Has this been only recently?

-Chris-

VolvoMan wrote: »

Recession or no recession, I have seen a declining number of brand new BMW's on the road compared to Audi's and Merc's of late. Some may argue that it's down to their product range getting on a bit, but I do strongly believe that dropping the names synonymous with BMW around Ireland wasn't a good move.

That may be as much to do with where they are in the model cycle too though - the 1 Series never really sold, the 3 is fairly well on compared to the A4 & C-Class, the 5 is on its way out/gone.
The rest are niche models that won't really add to volume.

VolvoMan wrote: »

Ballsbridge and Brady's have lost the franchise a good while now I think.

It's news to me that Foster lost Audi. Has this been only recently?

Foster pulled down their signs in October or so. They're still a service dealer, but don't sell them anymore.

JHMEG

VolvoMan wrote: »

Recession or no recession, I have seen a declining number of brand new BMW's on the road compared to Audi's and Merc's of late

Could be something to do with that cringeworthy BMW 'Joy' ad. Tho Audi seem to have taken a few cues from it and have a similar sounding ad on the radio at the moment.

daveharnett

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd think 14 sales dealers is probably enough if they're spaced ok, but there should definitely be a far larger service network.

To be honest, 30 sites seems like an awful lot to me. I'd be surprised if any marque could provide that many top quality service departments with a car population as small as ours. I'd say that half a dozen 'centers of excellence', with 30 satellite sites to provide basic services/inspections/parts could make more sense in terms of economics and quality?

Big Nasty

VolvoMan wrote: »

Recession or no recession, I have seen a declining number of brand new BMW's on the road compared to Audi's and Merc's of late. Some may argue that it's down to their product range getting on a bit, but I do strongly believe that dropping the names synonymous with BMW around Ireland wasn't a good move.

BMW's 20 day sales were up 119 on last year as opposed to Audi down 156.

Cookie_Monster

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd think 14 sales dealers is probably enough if they're spaced ok, but there should definitely be a far larger service network.

I wonder how scalable the "glass palace" is - as in how much smaller you can make it in Ballygobackwards and still have the desired effect.

Fairly easily I'm sure. for example the one in Deansgrange is fairly small compared to a lot of the bigger glass boxes.

-Chris-

And here's another interesting link (interesting to me, anyway... ) that may provide another piece of the overall puzzle:

Audi Middle East certifies first Dealer Principals


When you talk of standards and professionalism, it's got to come from the top - and I think it'd be a great move to push the dealership leaders in Ireland to go through a similar program.
It's probably not enough anymore for the best salesperson to become the sales manager, for the son of the boss to automatically become the new boss.

Is that the difference between the Irish customer experience and the UK one?

How many dealerships in the UK are part of large conglomerates - where people are recruited into the business from other industries and dealership conglomerates? Most dealerships in Ireland are family businesses.

How much do you think an Irish Dealer Principal was paid in the good times? How many of those guys were in that position as a result of an executive headhunt (that you'd expect if you were hiring someone for a fairly senior position in Microsoft or Glanbia)?

galwaytt

VolvoMan wrote: »

BMW have already tried this and failed.

Indeed - BMW lost Barry Motors to Hogan's and we know where that ended up.........travel from Galway to Athlone to look/buy/service either a Mini or BeeEmm.........nah, don't think so!

And, 34 into 14 won't go. If the current workloads at 34 dealers are high, then how in god's name will a smaller number cope ?

Madness.

Saab Ed

Chris have you any idea what percentage of market share Audi are looking to get from this. Are they trying to land a top 5 spot over all or are they just aiming to be top in the prestige end of things i.e your Mercs and BMW's etc. I really think that BMW and Merc have suffered as brands from pushing too hard for numbers. There was a time when a 10 year old Merc was worth 4 or 5 times that of an equivilant spec and engined Mondeo, now they are worth near enough the same. You can get away with charging the extra in good times and sell them on the aul quality and strong re-sale tag lines but not now. If 5,6 and 7 year old Mercs and the like are loosing more percentage wise than a like for like bread and butter car from a bread and butter marque then the entire point of a " quality " brand is lost. Whats your opinion on this Chris?

VolvoMan

Saab Ed wrote: »

Chris have you any idea what percentage of market share Audi are looking to get from this.

Audi are probably the top selling premium brand here right now, so they're essentially fixing something that isn't broken. All that needs improvement is maybe a little customer service in a few outlets here and there; they seem to be at the top of their game in our small market otherwise.

mickdw

-Chris- wrote: »

I wonder how scalable the "glass palace" is - as in how much smaller you can make it in Ballygobackwards and still have the desired effect.

This is a rural ireland Audi dealer. It is about as far into the back of beyond as Audi would wish to go. It seems to be just an economically viable to build these in rural areas due to land values etc.
Actually in the last year or so, that building has been given over to vw only with a similar structure beside it for audi.

-Chris-

Saab Ed wrote: »

Chris have you any idea what percentage of market share Audi are looking to get from this. Are they trying to land a top 5 spot over all or are they just aiming to be top in the prestige end of things i.e your Mercs and BMW's etc.

The goal is no. 1 premium brand. I'm not sure if that's limited to premium car brand, or if they want to be spoken in the same breath as Hermes or Tiffany or have the same coolness as Apple...
VW's Audi unit aims to be world's leading premium brand by 2015
Some sort of internal presentation

Saab Ed wrote: »

I really think that BMW and Merc have suffered as brands from pushing too hard for numbers. There was a time when a 10 year old Merc was worth 4 or 5 times that of an equivilant spec and engined Mondeo, now they are worth near enough the same. You can get away with charging the extra in good times and sell them on the aul quality and strong re-sale tag lines but not now. If 5,6 and 7 year old Mercs and the like are loosing more percentage wise than a like for like bread and butter car from a bread and butter marque then the entire point of a " quality " brand is lost. Whats your opinion on this Chris?

I'm no marketing bod, but I'd say for a premium brand to survive/thrive you need quality and scarcity. It's not aspirational if everyone can have it, and it's not premium if it's poorly made.

I think Merc had growing pains when their demand exploded in the late '90s/early '00s, and their reliability suffered as a result.
They also brought out the C-Class Sports Coupe and A-Class - Mercs for the price of a "lesser brand".
Both of these diluted the brand and the desirability, and gave BMW, Lexus & Audi a foot in the door.


I think the changes in residual values for Merc at the moment is a mixture of things, not just a loss of the perception of being a quality brand.
Changes in new car pricing (all downward), an economy that now "frowns" on ostentatiousness and a model mix that was very petrol-heavy, and automatic-heavy that now needs to be sold second hand in a market that wants manual diesels... all of these things have contributed imho.

-Chris-

mickdw wrote: »

This is a rural ireland Audi dealer. It is about as far into the back of beyond as Audi would wish to go. It seems to be just an economically viable to build these in rural areas due to land values etc.

Fair point, if you're going to put a glass palace anywhere, it should be outside the urban centres.
I was in Audi Paris last year, and it was a completely different experience - all Audi and all very fancy and plush, but really very compact compared to any dealer I've seen here.

robtri

out of cusiousity how do you rate whats a premium brand.. and how do you rate whats number 1??? what makes you number 1??

-Chris-

robtri wrote: »

out of cusiousity how do you rate whats a premium brand.. and how do you rate whats number 1??? what makes you number 1??

There are companies that measure brand recognition and brand success. I'd just employ one of them.
http://www.interbrand.com/best_global_brands.aspx

If you're trying to achieve number 1 based on your own subjective view, you're doomed I reckon - what percentage of parents think their kids are above average? :D

robtri

-Chris- wrote: »

There are companies that measure brand recognition and brand success. I'd just employ one of them.
http://www.interbrand.com/best_global_brands.aspx

If you're trying to achieve number 1 based on your own subjective view, you're doomed I reckon - what percentage of parents think their kids are above average? :D

no no thats what i am getting... but what makes up the numbers to determine if you are number 1??
sales?? JD power survey??

daveharnett

robtri wrote: »

no no thats what i am getting... but what makes up the numbers to determine if you are number 1??
sales?? JD power survey??

They're not talking about the cars, they're talking about the brand. It's as simple as hiring a research consultancy to ask x people to rate what they consider to be the 'best' car brands, and do the sums.

daveharnett

-Chris- wrote: »

what percentage of parents think their kids are above average? :D

Indeed. Only it's mother could think this is pretty;).

VolvoMan

To be fair to the A2 though, it was a car well ahead of its time and would probably suit today's world rather than the one it was launched into nearly a decade ago.

Saab Ed

VolvoMan wrote: »

To be fair to the A2 though, it was a car well ahead of its time and would probably suit today's world rather than the one it was launched into nearly a decade ago.

+1

Always liked them. Tried to get the old man to buy a used one a couple of years back. Audis A Class without being a pile of sh1te.

robtri

VolvoMan wrote: »

To be fair to the A2 though, it was a car well ahead of its time and would probably suit today's world rather than the one it was launched into nearly a decade ago.

sorry but it was ugly then and its ugly now!!!!!!!!!

R.O.R

Saab Ed wrote: »

Chris have you any idea what percentage of market share Audi are looking to get from this.

Showing how much attention I paid to the presentation from Audi on Thursday night, I really can't remember the exact market share they are looking to achieve (ears were bleeding after the marketing film at top volume), but I think it was around 5%-6%.

Last year they achieved 4.3% and are looking to achieve the same again this year. Market share at the end of January was down to around 3.3% and personally I think they'll struggle to attain last years position.

With the A4 being the flash new motor in the small premium sector last year it went great guns and was only narrowly pipped to the position of most ordered car with us, by the Insignia. This year the interest isn't as high and I even have a couple of drivers coming out of A4's in to Superbs!

Bitten & Hisses

R.O.R wrote: »

This year the interest isn't as high and I even have a couple of drivers coming out of A4's in to Superbs!

Maybe they just want a car with a glovebox light.:rolleyes: Whoever made the decision to spec the A4 and A5 without a glovebox light as standard should be strung up :mad:

R.O.R

Bitten & Hisses wrote: »

Maybe they just want a car with a glovebox light.:rolleyes: Whoever made the decision to spec the A4 and A5 without a glovebox light as standard should be strung up :mad:

One of the first drivers we delivered the new A4 to complained directly to Audi Ireland about the missing glove box light (had one in his previous A4). Audi Ireland had one fitted for him!

SomeDude

Bitten & Hisses wrote: »

Maybe they just want a car with a glovebox light.:rolleyes: Whoever made the decision to spec the A4 and A5 without a glovebox light as standard should be strung up :mad:

I've heard about this from quite a few A4 drivers. It was an amazing oversight by audi Ireland. Probably less likely to happen again now that Volkswagen group have taken over control from the private importer....

galwaytt

SomeDude wrote: »

I've heard about this from quite a few A4 drivers. It was an amazing oversight by audi Ireland. Probably less likely to happen again now that Volkswagen group have taken over control from the private importer....

....hold on Volkswagen Ireland didn't build the frickin' thing - FFS, what idiot German company would even offer a vehicle without one in the first place ?

I'm fairly sure you wouldn't have to ask KIA for one..........

SomeDude

galwaytt wrote: »

....hold on Volkswagen Ireland didn't build the frickin' thing - FFS, what idiot German company would even offer a vehicle without one in the first place ?

I'm fairly sure you wouldn't have to ask KIA for one..........

As far as I'm aware VW Ireland would have to request what standard spec they wanted. Your right though, it shouldn't be left to someone to make a decision on it's inclusion - it should be standard on every car! Just like a steering wheel is!