CEO-ul de la VW a declarat la salonul auto de la Paris ca SKODA s-a apropiat prea mult, prin modelele si dotarile oferite, de segmentul de clienti al VW si va impune reducerea costurilor de productie la SKODA prin modificarea, prin eliminare, a nivelelor de echipare a masinilor facute de cehi.
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Skoda dealers are upset about de-contenting.
Volkswagen Group's effort to reposition Skoda beneath its VW brand has angered the Czech brand's dealers.
The de-contenting of the vehicles is hurting customer satisfaction, said Thomas Peckruhn, chairman of the Skoda dealer association.
VW's management believes Skoda has moved too closely to its main brand and is luring its customers away.
VW CEO Martin Winterkorn said the company will reduce Skoda production costs by cutting back equipment levels.
"We cannot have a Fabia with a higher value instrument panel then the Polo,” he said at the Paris auto show.
Skoda is VW Group's entry-level brand, and the technically similar VW models cost some thousands of euros more than a similar Skoda car.
Skoda dealers don't see this "cannibalization” effect.
"We conquer customers from French brands such as Peugeot and Renault, including Dacia,” said Peckruhn.
He said customers will notice if Skoda cars are decontented.
For example, Skoda's Climatic semi-automatic climate control system with a cooled glove box has been cut. This extra feature was a particularly popular selling point in dealerships.
On the Superb, the brand's higher-end mid-range model, the umbrella integrated in the rear door – likewise a highly regarded feature – can now only be ordered as an accessory. And on the new sporty Fabia RS, xenon lighting can no longer be ordered at extra charge. It was standard on its predecessor.
Cinco de Mayo