Build date fiasco from VW

[IainB]

Hi Lain, I have that week as well, sister vans...lol......what do you have in mind to buy....a lot of things out of stock

Still working on a list, but initially a memory foam topper (for lower bed), bedding, crockery, cutlery, pans/kettle, hook-up cable, water containers and portable toilet (PP 335). Looking also at a gas bottle but local supplier charges an absolute fortune for a new one so will look online.

Easy to come up with a huge list, but we're trying to keep it light to start with.

 

[PhilR]

Can always retro fit mud flaps!

Factory fitted ones look much better though!

 

[Saul B]

I have posted this on the other 6.1 order delay thread... this refers to the dealers having a priority list outside the VW chat build-week information - the question was whether the list was of date already... I think its relevant to this thread and helps with the bigger picture.

I think by a "lists" nature, i would suggest the list has been superseded or up-versioned to the next data point? For example my position in the queue was No. 53 based on the order bank as of 27th January 2021. That position has either gone down following some builds in the reporting period or slipped because its all a mess - i favor the former, obviously!

Here is the communication in full (dealer redacted) - this may help everyone affected with their understanding.

Quote:

We have received the following update from Volkswagen and Yours is number 53 with a build month of March, we don’t currently know when in March but will be with us in April:

The “staycation” culture that has developed in the UK and across Europe since Spring 2020 has significantly increased demand for California models. UK production levels have been increased but we continue to face challenges due to staff absence and component shortages in the supply chain.

Furthermore, some California specific elements are completed by hand in a dedicated factory using a specialist team of engineers; this is one of the many ways in which we ensure high quality and a unique offering. Historically, component installations could be completed simultaneously with multiple team members working together on a vehicle at the same time. In today’s production environment, these processes are required to be completed more sequentially thus increasing the time it takes to complete an individual vehicle.

We continue to explore every opportunity to increase production levels and appreciate that our customers would like to enjoy their new vehicle as soon as possible. To ensure fairness for all customers, we aim to produce each California in order of its customer tagging date. While specific component shortages may mean this is not always possible, any vehicles that do slip in production due to this will receive a special focus and prioritisation once components are available.

For the time being, stock, demonstrator and dealership vehicles (regardless of the sales channel to which they are tagged), will not be produced. We have also withdrawn the model from any staff channels to allow focus on your customers.

To aid customer conversations, because we know that communication is key in any delayed vehicle situation, we have listed your unscheduled (pre SLI SC20) California order-bank as of January 27th 2021. Based on our current production capacity and your orders’ place in the queue, we have applied a planned production month and resulting delivery month to each order. Note that the lead times and production capacity for Ocean, Coast and Beach vary slightly so the build month of each derivative relative to its place in the queue will also vary, and because this is a manual process, the build weeks shown in SLI should be ignored.

 

[Jester]

Factory fitted ones look much better though!

They can still be dealer fitted. Wouldn’t dream of anything else

 

[PhilR]

Although still sad I’m not getting a Cali, I’m not going to miss this fiasco. We ordered our new car (not going to mention the make as I’ll get moaned at probably) on 25th Jan. Dealer contacted me today to say it’s left the factory today and is on its way to the port, expected with them 1st March!!!
It’s not standard spec either, it’s an individual paint colour plus a few extras. Come on VW - you need to do better. Worlds apart in terms of timescale and information.

 

[NessL]

Although still sad I’m not getting a Cali, I’m not going to miss this fiasco. We ordered our new car (not going to mention the make as I’ll get moaned at probably) on 25th Jan. Dealer contacted me today to say it’s left the factory today and is on its way to the port, expected with them 1st March!!!
It’s not standard spec either, it’s an individual paint colour plus a few extras. Come on VW - you need to do better. Worlds apart in terms of timescale and information.

Not really comparing like with like, as campervan sales are at an all time high and new car sales have dropped significantly. There is a lot of spare capacity in new car production, so unsurprising that your car order has progressed so quickly.

 

[Dodge1311]

Hey PhilR,

But what about Brexit delays and covid and the worldwide shortage of semiconductors and micro chips perhaps they only affect one German manufacturer? Perhaps the Munich based giants of the automotive world also did not not have to consider RDE2 because of their friends in high places ( they do have that beautiful high rise building to conduct "secret RDE2 meetings in).

I guess the Dingolfing plant being only 399 miles from the VW factory is immune to all of the above, VW must have been really unlucky that they have to shoulder all the world's problems alone with noone else in Germany seemingly affected.

I am sorry to say it PhilR but i think they are lying to you and you don't actually have a build week yet, but do have a provisional week 24 phantom slot thats how the proper guys do it.

I am still sticking with it out of sheer stubbornness, but i have never heard such tales coming out of one organisation in my life.

 

[Jester]

Not really comparing like with like, as campervan sales are at an all time high and new car sales have dropped significantly. There is a lot of spare capacity in new car production, so unsurprising that your car order has progressed so quickly.

Guess so as BMW do not make campers. Wish they did.

 

[Kernowboy]

Although still sad I’m not getting a Cali, I’m not going to miss this fiasco. We ordered our new car (not going to mention the make as I’ll get moaned at probably) on 25th Jan. Dealer contacted me today to say it’s left the factory today and is on its way to the port, expected with them 1st March!!!
It’s not standard spec either, it’s an individual paint colour plus a few extras. Come on VW - you need to do better. Worlds apart in terms of timescale and information.

That’s great, I’ll bear it in mind next time I want a car. If you want a campervan, however......

 

[Dodge1311]

Guess so as BMW do not make campers. Wish they did.

Me to, we also negate to pint out that while Claifornia sales are up Transporter sales are year on year down significantly. SO its only the second factory that does the "California" part seeing an increase in volume. Personally speaking it would be a simple decision as to where to deploy the excess of Transporter resource!

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​	Volkswagen​ Transporter / Multivan​ 2016​	Volkswagen​ Transporter / Multivan​ 2017​	Volkswagen​ Transporter / Multivan​ 2018​	Volkswagen​ Transporter / Multivan​ 2019​	Volkswagen​ Transporter / Multivan​ 2020​
January	5.196	4.817	1.642	6.040	3.355
February	4.706	4.441	1.037	5.117	4.178
March	6.075	7.139	4.726	6.666	3.770
April	5.918	6.326	10.799	6.833	2.178
May	5.640	6.487	9.793	5.968	2.315
June	6.783	6.872	9.258	6.852	4.293
July	5.857	5.996	5.954	6.821	6.302
August	4.615	4.612	6.108	6.621	3.819
September	5.373	5.070	1.120	3.007	3.755
October	5.541	4.836	1.936	4.068	4.658
November	4.993	5.454	4.314	3.349	4.349
December	5.188	5.401	5.676	4.321	4.845

 

[PhilR]

That’s great, I’ll bear it in mind next time I want a car. If you want a campervan, however......

True. Hopefully by the time we come out of the pcp they will have built a campervan!!! They do seem obsessed with building all sorts of cars, but I can’t see them doing a camper, sadly.

 

[andyinluton]

Sales don't look too bad. 2020 was same as 2017, fractionally down on 2018. 2019 looks like they had a buy one get one free sale April.
Is that registrations or builds?

The dealer I got my van from said he got I think four prebuilt Californias allocated as reward for taking a large number of vans for stock.

 

[JandA]

Although still sad I’m not getting a Cali, I’m not going to miss this fiasco. We ordered our new car (not going to mention the make as I’ll get moaned at probably) on 25th Jan. Dealer contacted me today to say it’s left the factory today and is on its way to the port, expected with them 1st March!!!
It’s not standard spec either, it’s an individual paint colour plus a few extras. Come on VW - you need to do better. Worlds apart in terms of timescale and information.

Good news Phil...that’s the difference between a quality car supplier and a “van” supplier a totally different animal. I am sure you will love it.....I have just sold my X5 today cash in bank tomorrow ready for the new arrival....moving forward!!

 

[Dodge1311]

Sales don't look too bad. 2020 was same as 2017, fractionally down on 2018. 2019 looks like they had a buy one get one free sale April.
Is that registrations or builds?

The dealer I got my van from said he got I think four prebuilt Californias allocated as reward for taking a large number of vans for stock.

its from carsalesbase.com so i am assuming it actual sales. It may of course just reflect that sales are down because they haven't been able to build them. I will ask on the VW chat and see what response i get.

​

 

[JandA]

its from carsalesbase.com so i am assuming it actual sales. It may of course just reflect that sales are down because they haven't been able to build them. I will ask on the VW chat and see what response i get.

​

I was told by my dealer that VW have increased dealers targets considerably for this year to the extent that he thought they would struggle to sell that many vans even if there was a plentiful supply, as it is they currently have the perfect answer should they be criticise for failure.

 

[jMacdent]

Although still sad I’m not getting a Cali, I’m not going to miss this fiasco. We ordered our new car (not going to mention the make as I’ll get moaned at probably) on 25th Jan. Dealer contacted me today to say it’s left the factory today and is on its way to the port, expected with them 1st March!!!
It’s not standard spec either, it’s an individual paint colour plus a few extras. Come on VW - you need to do better. Worlds apart in terms of timescale and information.

Saloon or Touring?
p.s love a 3 series touring.....or a 5 series.

 

[PhilR]

Saloon or Touring?
p.s love a 3 series touring.....or a 5 series.

Touring. Need that for the dogs. Rear opening window a great feature for the dogs too.
Sadly though it has no bed, fridge, cooker or auxiliary heater, but I’ve got a Portapotty that I bought for the Cali, I can fold the seats down and use a sleeping bag, and a portable gas stove.....or just stay in a hotel lol

 

[JandA]

Touring. Need that for the dogs. Rear opening window a great feature for the dogs too.
Sadly though it has no bed, fridge, cooker or auxiliary heater, but I’ve got a Portapotty that I bought for the Cali, I can fold the seats down and use a sleeping bag, and a portable gas stove.....or just stay in a hotel lol

sounds really nice......I would hand on to the portpotty they are getting hard to find especially with the in cupboard shelf to match

This week was supposed to be when VW started production of California’s with the 204 engine but I haven’t seen any post suggesting they are happening most only mention well 9 (I have been given that for mine) which is March. Does this suggest the start date for the 204s has slipped ?.

 

[jMacdent]

Touring. Need that for the dogs. Rear opening window a great feature for the dogs too.
Sadly though it has no bed, fridge, cooker or auxiliary heater, but I’ve got a Portapotty that I bought for the Cali, I can fold the seats down and use a sleeping bag, and a portable gas stove.....or just stay in a hotel lol

...maybe no fridge but still a wonderful car to drive, especially the most recent version.

This week was supposed to be when VW started production of California’s with the 204 engine but I haven’t seen any post suggesting they are happening most only mention well 9 (I have been given that for mine) which is March. Does this suggest the start date for the 204s has slipped ?.

Maybe nobody wants to say they’ve got a 204 with an earlier build date than 8, for fear of upsetting somebody.

 

[JandA]

Maybe nobody wants to say they’ve got a 204 with an earlier build date than 8, for fear of upsetting somebody.

Lol....maybe, but it would give us all hope that things they said would happen are happening

 

[Dodge1311]

Lol....maybe, but it would give us all hope that things they said would happen are happening

I don’t think weeks 7 or 8 have ever been mentioned by anyone.

 

[Saul B]

I don’t think weeks 7 or 8 have ever been mentioned by anyone.

A Mr @Russell Watkinson has a confirmed week 7 (Code 20) that starts production w/c 15/02/21 - I believe. Let’s give the factory a check chance to build the vehicles for 2-3 weeks before we rumour any slippage.

I have a friend with a Week 4 (Code 20) 204PS RDE2 4Mo T6.1 LWB - going straight to Vision Tech Auto for a conversion. So they are building the transporters with the new engines.

Get your build month off the dealer, avoid the VW chat and sit tight for a few weeks.

Everything I have seen/read suggests things are moving in the right direction.

 

[JandA]

A Mr @Russell Watkinson has a confirmed week 7 (Code 20) that starts production w/c 15/02/21 - I believe. Let’s give the factory a check chance to build the vehicles for 2-3 weeks before we rumour any slippage.

I have a friend with a Week 4 (Code 20) 204PS RDE2 4Mo T6.1 LWB - going straight to Vision Tech Auto for a conversion. So they are building the transporters with the new engines.

Get your build month off the dealer, avoid the VW chat and sit tight for a few weeks.

Everything I have seen/read suggests things are moving in the right direction.

Well I am pleased they will have had some practice putting the thing together before they get to mine in week 9 and by then they will have hopefully ironed out any issues. You never want to be first of the line !!

 

[Jandy61]

Anyone know what the average range of the standard 60L tank is on a 4M with the lager engine , travelling at 70-80 mph across France for example

 

[Jester]

Anyone know what the average range of the standard 60L tank is on a 4M with the lager engine , travelling at 70-80 mph across France for example

Thought the standard was 70 ltr and option 80ltr