California Price Inflation 2010 - 2021

[brooodie]

Having read threads discussing price increases over the years, and being a massive nerd, I decided to graph them out to get a better look at how California prices have increased over the last decade to see exactly to what extent VW are gouging

I picked 3 models over the years trying as best as possible to track current Ocean DSG 150 / 204 and 204 4M Models.
* The first data point from 2010 is a manual as the price list didn't have a DSG for the lower powered engine.

The dotted line represents an RPI (inflation) figure from 2012 - 2020 to give a rough indication of what the increase should have been (ignoring things like currency changes).

Unsurprisingly the price increases seem to accelerate markedly after June 2016 when the GBP slumped, but it's also noticeable how steep the price rise just implemented in January of this year is.

Just in case anyone reading is 'on the fence' about buying a new van, I think this shows the price only ever goes in one direction

 

[andyinluton]

The spec has gone up at the same time, my old 2015MY 140 SE was one of the first to have the multifunction steering wheel as standard, front & rear parking sensors were still an option, the radio was a FM radio CD , the enhanced bluetooth was extra as were the tinted windows, auto wipers & auto lights & then there are a few more HP under the bonnet.
If comparing a 150 T6.1 to a 2015 140, there's also the bigger brakes & 17" wheels.

Even compared to a T6 I believe the following that are standard on a T6.1 would have been extra prices shown are from 2017 price list as its the only one I can find:

Composition media + USB connection. £1650
Climatronic aircon. - actually shown as standard in 2017
Lane change assist (side scan). £564
LED headlights. £1512
Reversing camera + sensors £666
Addaptive cruise £384
Awning £432
Tinted windows £408

Thats £6,216.00 worth of extras & that's just what I can think of.


I

 

[brooodie]

This is all true. I guess the T6/6.1 Coast might be more comparable to the T5 SE in terms of where it is placed, but that doesn't fully explain the increasing divergence between inflation and the list price IMO.

 

[willwander]

Interesting. Double kicker.

 

[Jester]

The spec has gone up at the same time, my old 2015MY 140 SE was one of the first to have the multifunction steering wheel as standard, front & rear parking sensors were still an option, the radio was a FM radio CD , the enhanced bluetooth was extra as were the tinted windows, auto wipers & auto lights & then there are a few more HP under the bonnet.
If comparing a 150 T6.1 to a 2015 140, there's also the bigger brakes & 17" wheels.

Even compared to a T6 I believe the following that are standard on a T6.1 would have been extra prices shown are from 2017 price list as its the only one I can find:

Composition media + USB connection. £1650
Climatronic aircon. - actually shown as standard in 2017
Lane change assist (side scan). £564
LED headlights. £1512
Reversing camera + sensors £666
Addaptive cruise £384
Awning £432
Tinted windows £408

Thats £6,216.00 worth of extras & that's just what I can think of.


I

“Thats £6,216.00 worth of extras” . Spoken like a true QS

 

[Wildcamper]

When it comes to selling anything the same rule applies - charge what the market will bear - maximise profits. VW will continue to inflate the price until people stop buying, then they will reduce it. Supply and demand rules in business. Full marks to VW really, they have found a cash cow and will milk it for all it is worth.

 

[pjm-84]

£8k plus of extras on mine.

Nope a QS would have been

£5000 of extras
EOT for extras at £967.33
Contingency at £2k
Risk + £1k
P&OH at £4000

Total - £692,401.33

 

[Loz]

This is VWUK setting our prices here mind.

 

[reggie59]

What is lacking is competition. The day someone comes up with a good alternative, prices will ease. Until then, vw enjoys a near monopoly with limited manufacturing capacity...

 

[WelshGas]

What is lacking is competition. The day someone comes up with a good alternative, prices will ease. Until then, vw enjoys a near monopoly with limited manufacturing capacity...

The problem is no major manufacturer is prepared to take on VW in this area and manufacture in house. All, supposed competitors, use 3rd party conversion companies.

 

[Sunstoner]

What is lacking is competition. The day someone comes up with a good alternative, prices will ease. Until then, vw enjoys a near monopoly with limited manufacturing capacity...

Its a real difficult one for any manufacturer to tackle. Mentioning 'campervan' to a large majority of people and you can pretty much guarantee it'll involve a VW logo.

Anyone trying to make a dent in this space is going to have be creating something pretty special and unique.

I wish somebody would. It'd certainly spice things up.

 

[GSX1300R]

What is lacking is competition. The day someone comes up with a good alternative, prices will ease. Until then, vw enjoys a near monopoly with limited manufacturing capacity...

But there is competition out there with the Mercedes Marco Polo. You can’t say that’s not a very nice camper and beautiful quality probably better than the California.
What VW do is market the “Dream” ..When anyone thinks about a camper van they think of a VW..It would take many many years for another manufacturer to get that same reputation.

 

[66tim99]

The problem is no major manufacturer is prepared to take on VW in this area and manufacture in house. All, supposed competitors, use 3rd party conversion companies.

I've wondered if Tesla might have a go, and I'd love it if they did. Amazing I'm thinking like that about a US company (even VW doesn't deem the US California-worthy), but they are disruptors-extraordinaire (their 'Cybertruck' pick-up truck is due this year, and their 'Semi' articulated lorry is promised), and their battery and charging technology are supreme.
I'd be excited if VW announced a collaboration with Tesla rather than Ford, but even more interested if Tesla announced a camper. This option for the cybertruck looks great, but a dedicated camper would suit me better.

 

[andyinluton]

A lot of the attraction is nostalgia - look at all of what are now classic vans from 40 - 50 years ago - who wants a 1970s transit / Bedford etc everyone really wants a VW

A camper is usually bought as a long term proposition & the residual values are propped up on the vans still being wanted when they get old. Part of that is having support for spares, technical knowledge and enthusiastic user groups.

Its a chicken & Egg situation ( had to get the chickens in there somehow) you need enough vans in use to make it worthwhile for specialists to exist but without the specialists the vans won't exist.
With the California VW appear to have already got over that obstacle, there are enough out there now to support a small band of people making bespoke accessories.

In 10 years time I don't want to be the owner of the last ford transit that hasn't succumbed to rust, needing a new door for the cabinet under the fridge & having to track down one of the other 2 examples ever made & using a forum with just 2 people on it.

A rusty VW is a project, a rusty transit is scrap!

 

[OnlyJen]

I doubt most California owners would even worry about price inflation when they go to buy.

The process would be "I want a camper, they don't come cheap. VW is the best known brand, all the others look nice but VW is the name to go for, that's what I have to pay".

The rest, having a resource of over 20,000 members to talk to, having a large availability of second hand parts, having the best residuals around, would all then be a pleasant bonus and probably also have been part of the buying evaluation.

To say no competition, well... we all held our breath when the MB backed Marco Polo came along. It's not VW's fault that the much heralded "competition at last" fizzled out quicker than a cheap firework in a monsoon.

 

[El Greco]

For me it is the build quality and the integrated components that provide a sort of synergy. I had looked at a lot of conversions but none matched the Cali as a 'package'.

The Marco Polo wasn't around at the time but I still wouldn't have chosen it. It's a great vehicle but does not appear as practical or robust in my opinion.

At least we have choices!!

 

[WelshGas]

I doubt most California owners would even worry about price inflation when they go to buy.

The process would be "I want a camper, they don't come cheap. VW is the best known brand, all the others look nice but VW is the name to go for, that's what I have to pay".

The rest, having a resource of over 20,000 members to talk to, having a large availability of second hand parts, having the best residuals around, would all then be a pleasant bonus and probably also have been part of the buying evaluation.

To say no competition, well... we all held our breath when the MB backed Marco Polo came along. It's not VW's fault that the much heralded "competition at last" fizzled out quicker than a cheap firework in a monsoon.

The Marco Polo is not made by Mercedes but is a 3rd party conversion by Westfalia, sold by Mercedes, as are all the others.
The VW California is the only one made & sold by the manufacturer.

 

[OnlyJen]

The Marco Polo is not made by Mercedes but is a 3rd party conversion by Westfalia, sold by Mercedes, as are all the others.
The VW California is the only one made & sold by the manufacturer.

Why I said "Backed", not made.

Edit: That sounds terribly abrupt My apologies. Busy writing my latest, and last, book and my mind elsewhere. I avoided saying made as whilst aware of the close tie between MB and Westfalia with the Marco Polo I am aware also it is not produced by MB.

 

[2into1]

Cali's will soon be like some top Rolex watches.... And I believe some of the GT Porsches.... In that you'll have to buy a Polo and a Golf before you are offered the chance to get a Cali.

 

[Sunstoner]

Possibly Skoda:

Skoda Camper

Itd need to be something as eye catching or different as this to have a hope. Possibly a dedicated campervan build rather than a tweaked transporter. #whoknows

 

[Nand0]

The Marco Polo is not made by Mercedes but is a 3rd party conversion by Westfalia, sold by Mercedes, as are all the others.
The VW California is the only one made & sold by the manufacturer.

Thanks, I just learnt something new. I didn't know this little factoid

Any idea who makes the Citroen Campster? My garage is vertically limited, and this one is almost, almost short enough to fit. My neighbour has one, measured it, and it's just 1cm too high (spec says 1.96cm, so I need 1.95cm)

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks, I just learnt something new. I didn't know this little factoid

Any idea who makes the Citroen Campster? My garage is vertically limited, and this one is almost, almost short enough to fit. My neighbour has one, measured it, and it's just 1cm too high (spec says 1.96cm, so I need 1.95cm)