VW Sales Crash Nearly 20%

[GK]

Ford fobbed off the Territory ball joint issue for as long as they could!

I guess it's pretty poor form of VW to do likewise here, when they didn't in other markets. That's pretty low.

GK

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by GK

Ford fobbed off the Territory ball joint issue for as long as they could!

I lived through that and survived! Driving along a motorway in a wobbling car trying to work out what the hell's going on (in absence of statements from Ford) wasn't a joke, considering what did happen to some Territory owners. Anyway Ford Aus has been pretty good otherwise, it pales by comparison to this one from VW.

[Dr Smith]

The lesson here is the total arrogance of the local VW company when faced with the same problems being handled far differently in other markets. Reputations are hard one and easily lost. On a purely selfish note I'm hoping the T6 Transporter goes to the 8 speed ZF in time for my update, even though it has a different dsg to the passenger car models.

[wrongwaynorris]

Originally Posted by Rodge

And if VW think the public will forget quickly they are in fantasy land. They can quite rightly, (in my opinion) expect serious brand damage for a considerable period to come.

Sadly I don't think so as Toyota hid a fault that killed people were dragged screaming through the US legal system and congress and mugs still queue up to buy them .

[new2ford]

There's nothing wrong with VWs basically, I'd rather have one than a Toyota. There were a couple of faults - which isn't unusual with any car. The problem is the way they handled that in Australia, that was appalling. If you're buying a car you need to have confidence that the manufacturer will respond to such situations promptly and openly and give you support.

Toyota have behaved the same way a bit in the past. It's nice to have confidence that a manufacturer won't slide out from under you and you end up footing the bill. I have to say Ford Aus has been very good in that respect (apart from a little tardiness on the ball joint issue!). End result: I'd trust Ford but I wouldn't trust VW and Toyota.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by GK

I guess it's pretty poor form of VW to do likewise here, when they didn't in other markets. That's pretty low.

And not uncommon. IIRC, there was a recall on Volvos overseas to fix an aircon fault... not here, they wait until it fails.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by GK

Ford fobbed off the Territory ball joint issue for as long as they could!

I guess it's pretty poor form of VW to do likewise here, when they didn't in other markets. That's pretty low.

GK

We had a work Territory for four years, did a ton of miles and at every service, Ford checked
the ball joints and as the wear became apparent, replaced them no fewer than three times.

I can't say that same experience happened across the board but I know the local dealer was on the ball..

[mcnews]

Yep no drama here, have had a couple replaced during routine servicing with no delays and no fuss.

[Rodge]

Now you can bet on the outcome of whether VW's sales numbers in Australia will be greater than or less than last year !! $1.75 is the favourite for fewer sales in 2013 compared to 2012. Looks like a good bet to me !!

http://www.caradvice.com.au/240778/b...stralia-sales/

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

We had a work Territory for four years, did a ton of miles and at every service, Ford checked
the ball joints and as the wear became apparent, replaced them no fewer than three times.

I can't say that same experience happened across the board but I know the local dealer was on the ball..

Your dealer in replacing the ball joints was on top of things.The manufacturer who continued to make cars with this fault for literally years was not.