Imminent culling of California dealers

[Ocean Wanderer]

Does anyone have any further information on the proposed plans to reduce the number of UK California dealers to ten? Do we know when this is likely to happen? Surely this is going to result in horrendous waiting times for warranty work!

 

[ParachuteMan]

Does anyone have any further information on the proposed plans to reduce the number of UK California dealers to ten? Do we know when this is likely to happen? Surely this is going to result in horrendous waiting times for warranty work!

Spoke with Manchester VW CV Centre last week at van's 1st service. ,They will no longer be selling the new T7 "Lifestyle" Californias. These will be sold by the 10 selected dealers. However, service and warranty work by Manchester will NOT be affected. They will continue to provide both for all existing Calis.

 

[pluc99]

Does anyone have any ideas how the 10 were chosen?

 

[lohr500]

I'm guessing based on a combination of regional location and previous sales volumes.
Drive the Deal offers supplied via Eurovans will have distorted their numbers but that may have been taken into consideration.

I wonder though if they will move sales over to the passenger car side of the VW business?
For me, the Cali customer profile probably sits better there than with the van centres.
And assuming the workshop ramps are rated to lift the T7 Lifestyle Cali, would there be any reason why the car centres couldn't service them?

 

[Pineweasel]

The Multivan is available from "only available to order from a select list of Volkswagen Retailers and Van Centres" according to https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/new/multivan.html

So presumably those regular VW car dealers are able to service the Multivan and therefore could handle the new Cali. That said, you'd expect a California dealer to offer the Grand California too.

I agree that the car dealers would seem a better fit for the T7 customer.

 

[Perfectos]

Less Franchised dealer = Less competition (No discount sellers) = Fixed List pricing regimen

 

[Ocean Wanderer]

Spoke with Manchester VW CV Centre last week at van's 1st service. ,They will no longer be selling the new T7 "Lifestyle" Californias. These will be sold by the 10 selected dealers. However, service and warranty work by Manchester will NOT be affected. They will continue to provide both for all existing Calis.

Thanks that’s good to know

 

[willwander]

Less dealers, maybe they’re expecting to sell less ‘lifestyle’ Californias.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Just becomes an after sales nightmare, every town has a VW garage, every county has a vwcv garage, now there will be 10 "California" dealerships, how exclusive, honda do the same with goldwing super centres, lots down south, one in Scotland!

 

[ParachuteMan]

Does anyone have any ideas how the 10 were chosen?

I got the impression as @lohr500 says, that it's based on the best sales centres for the new 'Lifestyle' marque. Eg Manchester with its industrial background is much more geared to commercial and tradesman Transporter sales, and only sold 6 or so Califonias last year. However, Breeze on the warmer south coast with different demographics and population styles is much more a California dealership. And their excellent reputation only reinforces this. Where Liverpool fits in with this, I don't know. (Macnchester appeared relieved to not to have the T7 sales...)

 

[Jay586]

Liverpool rely on a high volume/incentive/bonus model. Or at least they did last time I had a chat with them about pricing...

 

[Jay586]

The banner advert above on my screen is saying Swindon will have the T7.

 

[larrylamb]

Swansway suggesting they will be selling the new Cali from Birmingham, Liverpool, Wrexham and Preston.

 

[willwander]

I got the impression as @lohr500 says, that it's based on the best sales centres for the new 'Lifestyle' marque. Eg Manchester with its industrial background is much more geared to commercial and tradesman Transporter sales, and only sold 6 or so Califonias last year. However, Breeze on the warmer south coast with different demographics and population styles is much more a California dealership. And their excellent reputation only reinforces this. Where Liverpool fits in with this, I don't know. (Macnchester appeared relieved to not to have the T7 sales...)

Bit judgy.
What you mean ‘different demographics’ haha
They have Waitrose in Manchester too you know.

 

[Jay586]

I think they mean there's more money on the south coast. Not sure they've ever been to South Manchester and Cheshire.

I think it's probably more that Liverpool VW undercuts Manchester VW, they sell a fck tonne of Calis.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

I think they mean there's more money on the south coast. Not sure they've ever been to South Manchester and Cheshire.

I think it's probably more that Liverpool VW undercuts Manchester VW, they sell a fck tonne of Calis.

There’s more debt down south, and more money up north

 

[soulstyledevon]

Less dealers, maybe they’re expecting to sell less ‘lifestyle’ Californias.

Or perhaps they’re expecting a surge….

 

[Jay586]

Or actually specialise...

I used to mystery shop dealerships, so much variety in customer service. Some truly awful, some fab.

Expect it's more to do with money tho.

 

[GeeManCamper22]

Or actually specialise...

I used to mystery shop dealerships, so much variety in customer service. Some truly awful, some fab.

Expect it's more to do with money tho.

I was advised by my dealer that future purchases of new vehicles would require payment to be made direct to VW bypassing the dealer, but that all warranty & servicing works etc would continue as normal.

 

[Georgeo]

I was advised by my dealer that future purchases of new vehicles would require payment to be made direct to VW bypassing the dealer, but that all warranty & servicing works etc would continue as normal.

As bad as that. I think we need some hope of improvements.

 

[pjm-84]

Hmmmmm.....are VW going down the agency route to try and prop the price up of the California?

 

[Norfolk Jim]

Spoke to my dealer about this when collecting my Ocean with new bed hinges They told me they will be one of the new dealerships and awaiting complete showroom refurb all 'California' they said... They are awaiting the new Cali and wil call me when they have it for a mooch around and a drive!!!!!

 

[pluc99]

Hmmmmm.....are VW going down the agency route to try and prop the price up of the California?

It's probably more of a move to create a distinct brand, like BMW did with the Mini and VW with the Audi.

 

[pjm-84]

Sounds more likely........ always thought the Cali being sold by the commercial side slightly odd

 

[Dodge1311]

Eurovans and just sent me the new price list so they are still on the list and they couldn’t have a more commercial feel to the dealership.