pjm-84
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Based on the number currently registered I would say no it hasnt been an success
148 registered since 2019, 1 SORN
148 registered since 2019, 1 SORN
Based on the number currently registered I would say no it hasnt been an success
148 registered since 2019, 1 SORN
Yikes!Based on the number currently registered I would say no it hasnt been an success
148 registered since 2019, 1 SORN
Interesting comment considering the prior conversation, also The same could be said for cali’s against conversions. ?Based on the number of LWB conversions one sees out and about it seems that VW may have backed the wrong horse.
I don't think VW are suffering too much, Cali sales have been massively up over the last couple of years.Based on the number of LWB conversions one sees out and about it seems that VW may have backed the wrong horse.
I don't think VW are suffering too much, Cali sales have been massively up over the last couple of years.
Low sales of the Grand does suggest it has not been a success, and explains why it's not an easy decision for you.I agree, though I don’t really care about sales. For me it’s a shame that the Grand isn’t a natural progression from a Cali (for me at least). It should have been an easy decision.
The GC was not produced for the same market as the Cali. It was an easy decision for me as I had the Ocean prior and spent months evaluating the competition, yes they had some benefits over the GC but for me the VW option suited best.I agree, though I don’t really care about sales. For me it’s a shame that the Grand isn’t a natural progression from a Cali (for me at least). It should have been an easy decision.
UK payload is 601kg for GC 680All vans are a compromise, but I like how the GC600 balances those compromises. You still get plenty of garage, a decent wetroom, and two beds in the NZ model, all while staying within the space constraints of a van body. As someone who traded in a large six-berth motorhome, I'm glad to now have something with considerably more structural integrity. You should try driving something that's the front bit of a van with a large plywood shed tacked onto the back (i.e. most motorhomes) down our rough roads down under. The flimsy nature of the price point competition is one of the biggest reasons that the Grand California is a sales success in New Zealand.
The GC hits the spot for us, it's relatively affordable, has 4wd, high safety levels, and we don't mind the 'Wimpy booth' when it frees up space for far more important things. As for the TV or lack thereof, we don't miss one in any way, although we do get the laptop out to watch something occasionally.
Meanwhile, anyone who wonders why the bigger 680 can't have a second bed needs to look at the payload issue. The 680 can only cart nearly half as much weight as the 600 can, and fitting the second bed would have compromised that further.
Good info.When I first got my California back in 2011 there were very few on the road, it was rare to see one in a camp site and it had been sold in the UK for around 5 years I think at that point. If the same question was asked but then I am sure due to small numbers it would have been classed as UK failure.
The main point here is people who buy the Grand are not your typical customer of the California. They are totally different vehicles, the California is an amazing bit of kit but for us after 8 years of ownership we felt we needed more space. I then purchased a A class motor home but hated the nightmare of multi warrantee and crap support so we are selling and coming back to VW. The only option for me is the Grand as having had bathroom I would not go back.
So my point is if you are a California owner who loves their vehicle of course you won't understand or want the Grand as you have best of both worlds a small camper that can go anywhere. But if you do want the extra space, the warrantee that covers everything from same manufacturer then there are very few options. My Grand is due in next few weeks and I can't wait to get back to the simplicity of VW ownership, yes there will be issues with it (had a lot of issues with California) but they will get sorted without argument etc.
On one final point if looking at numbers bear in mind UK market is only small part of VW strategy, also look at numbers of VW crafter/Sprinter size motorhomes from other manufacturers and see how many each of them sell per year!!
We changed from the Ocean to the GC 600 for similar reasons. Yes, in recent weeks I gave out about the camper, but I also have to say that if it works it can meet our expectations almost fully.When I first got my California back in 2011 there were very few on the road, it was rare to see one in a camp site and it had been sold in the UK for around 5 years I think at that point. If the same question was asked but then I am sure due to small numbers it would have been classed as UK failure.
The main point here is people who buy the Grand are not your typical customer of the California. They are totally different vehicles, the California is an amazing bit of kit but for us after 8 years of ownership we felt we needed more space. I then purchased a A class motor home but hated the nightmare of multi warrantee and crap support so we are selling and coming back to VW. The only option for me is the Grand as having had bathroom I would not go back.
So my point is if you are a California owner who loves their vehicle of course you won't understand or want the Grand as you have best of both worlds a small camper that can go anywhere. But if you do want the extra space, the warrantee that covers everything from same manufacturer then there are very few options. My Grand is due in next few weeks and I can't wait to get back to the simplicity of VW ownership, yes there will be issues with it (had a lot of issues with California) but they will get sorted without argument etc.
On one final point if looking at numbers bear in mind UK market is only small part of VW strategy, also look at numbers of VW crafter/Sprinter size motorhomes from other manufacturers and see how many each of them sell per year!!
I think its accepted that its not only a "california vs grand california" argument.Strikes me that the GC was not built for existing California users who are happy with their lot, but more for people who looked at a Cali and didn’t want one. My guess is that it was built for people like us, who want a fixed bed and a loo, who want to do some touring where overnight stops don’t require seats to be dismantled, bedding to be unpacked and roofs popped. It was built for people who have found that a Sevel base vehicle provides the necessary real estate if not the refinement, who may want to spend some weeks on the road whatever the season, who find coachbuilts too big and rattly, who don’t want a camper that doubles up as a family car. Other than the collapse of capitalism, I can only see one obstacle preventing the Grand California from selling well over the years and that is the increasing number of drivers in the EU and Britain who will be unable to buy all 680s and any well specced 600 because they will be over the 3.5t limit.
As I've said, I think it will be a success, but only time will tell. The launch has been helped neither by the pandemic nor Brexit, but there seems to be a lot of interest out there on the web, and not just in Europe. "Staycationing" in the UK seems to be a thing, and the roomier vehicle is perhaps better suited to our variable weather; in the longer term the Crafter may be able to carry a heavier battery load than a Cali, allowing more flexible travel ......... better informed judgements than mine will be available in the coming yearsI think its accepted that its not only a "california vs grand california" argument.
So taking that to one side, taking what you say about all the positives of the Grand, the questions still stand:
- Is the Grand a success?
- If not, why not?
But... The MK1 Golf was awesome!It's not yet there from my perspective.
1,Needs larger off grid ,leisure battery capacity should be lithium ion like other competitors provide.
The battery should be located in the van not outside in the cold.
2,The table should be a fold down,hinge type instead of having th shove it under the bed.
3,The bench seat should have some adjustment.
With the possibility of converting to a 3rd bed using the front seat.
4,The driving/cabin area needs more refinement befitting a 90k motorhome (cheap looking apolstery)and the dash taken out of a Mk 1 Golf.
5,It seems time and time again they are coming out of the factory with faults.water leaks,solar collector not charging,router not working,battery not charging,software gremlins,cupboards bursting open,Thule step with a mind of its own.
All systems should be checked before leaving the factory.
I want a Cali but don't have the confidence yet.
Seriously though good summaryIt's not yet there from my perspective.
1,Needs larger off grid ,leisure battery capacity should be lithium ion like other competitors provide.
The battery should be located in the van not outside in the cold.
2,The table should be a fold down,hinge type instead of having th shove it under the bed.
3,The bench seat should have some adjustment.
With the possibility of converting to a 3rd bed using the front seat.
4,The driving/cabin area needs more refinement befitting a 90k motorhome (cheap looking apolstery)and the dash taken out of a Mk 1 Golf.
5,It seems time and time again they are coming out of the factory with faults.water leaks,solar collector not charging,router not working,battery not charging,software gremlins,cupboards bursting open,Thule step with a mind of its own.
All systems should be checked before leaving the factory.
I want a Cali but don't have the confidence yet.
Exactly that. Well put Steve.Strikes me that the GC was not built for existing California users who are happy with their lot, but more for people who looked at a Cali and didn’t want one. My guess is that it was built for people like us, who want a fixed bed and a loo, who want to do some touring where overnight stops don’t require seats to be dismantled, bedding to be unpacked and roofs popped. It was built for people who have found that a Sevel base vehicle provides the necessary real estate if not the refinement, who may want to spend some weeks on the road whatever the season, who find coachbuilts too big and rattly, who don’t want a camper that doubles up as a family car. Other than the collapse of capitalism, I can only see one obstacle preventing the Grand California from selling well over the years and that is the increasing number of drivers in the EU and Britain who will be unable to buy all 680s and any well specced 600 because they will be over the 3.5t limit.
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