T6 VW California Delays

[rackind]

We now have it down to two possible options, if that is the cause of the delay:
Discover Media Nav
3 zone air con

For what it's worth, our spec includes both Discover Media and 3 zone aircon

 

[VW Cali]

Maybe it's like parenting.

Best behaved children here get their toys first.


I am surprised some of you getting your Beaches earlier than expected have not been accused by keyboard vigilantes of misleading others! There are a few of the thought police around.

I am going to ask a friend who owned the biggest premium German marque dealer franchise in southeast before selling on and retiring as to why such strange things happen.

My suspicion is that he will says it's nothing personal but possibly down to some parts specific to certain vehicles and not others. But let's see.

As you all know, I only paid my deposit in July, and took delivery on 03 Sept. But I just grabbed a dealer ordered and would be demonstrator.

 

[Ethel's dad]

Maybe it's like parenting.

Best behaved children here get their toys first.


I am surprised some of you getting your Beaches earlier than expected have not been accused by keyboard vigilantes of misleading others! There are a few of the thought police around.

I am going to ask a friend who owned the biggest premium German marque dealer franchise in southeast before selling on and retiring as to why such strange things happen.

My suspicion is that he will says it's nothing personal but possibly down to some parts specific to certain vehicles and not others. But let's see.

As you all know, I only paid my deposit in July, and took delivery on 03 Sept. But I just grabbed a dealer ordered and would be demonstrator.

Having a dig at me Vw Cali? I have an Ocean on order so that might be the difference here. Unlike you, I ordered mine normally, so, like the name on this thread suggests, am reporting how long it has taken so far to get my Cali for the benefit of anyone wondering how long these things take. Your original post would have been more useful had you informed us of the date the dealer ordered it not when you made your deal with him. I think this is why your original post was considered by some as disingenuous.

 

[Stoneybroke]

All being well our rescheduled Beach collection will be tomorrow (Friday) assuming it lands at the dealer's today after sitting around at Grimsby for two weeks...
Ordered 17th Feb.
Changed to DSG in June
Week 34 build, finished and at Emden by 7th Sept.

I don't have media Nav, but do have 3-zone climatic (comfort dash upgrade), but am a two-seater, with one extra middle row seat.

 

[rackind]

My wife thinks the length of delay may have something to do with dealer margins - the more you push them on discount, the more they're likely to allow someone they're making more money on to leapfrog you in the queue. I'm not convinced myself as it doesn't appear that dealers have any control of the process.

 

[Amarillo]

For what it's worth, our spec includes both Discover Media and 3 zone aircon

If one of these options is the cause of the delay, it is unlikely to be the Discover Media, as VW are likely to use the same system in several vehicle models, and they too would be suffering similar delays. It can only be the 3 zone if a delayed component of the system is specific to the Beach as it is standard on the Ocean and the Ocean is still being churned out.

 

[Amarillo]

but do have 3-zone climatic (comfort dash upgrade),

So the delay could still possibly be Discover Media (unlikely) or a component linking the 3 Zone to the Beach dash (also unlikely).

Could there be something in what Rackind's wife and VW Cali are saying: might dealers prioritise buyers paying higher margins by reassigning vehicles already ordered by earlier lower margin buyers to later higher margin buyers by simply altering the spec. It must be a temptation for any dealer.

And dealers will know that buyers who feel they have negotiated a good deal are less likely to demand their deposit back (or even forego their deposit) and cancel as they will also lose their negotiated discount.

I do not generally go for conspiracy theories, but this is one I am not ready to rule out.

What I do not know is how easy it would be for a dealer to reassign a vehicle for one customer to a new customer by changing the spec.

 

[Ethel's dad]

So the delay could still possibly be Discover Media (unlikely) or a component linking the 3 Zone to the Beach dash (also unlikely).

Could there be something in what Rackind's wife and VW Cali are saying: might dealers prioritise buyers paying higher margins by reassigning vehicles already ordered by earlier lower margin buyers to later higher margin buyers by simply altering the spec. It must be a temptation for any dealer.

And dealers will know that buyers who feel they have negotiated a good deal are less likely to demand their deposit back (or even forego their deposit) and cancel as they will also lose their negotiated discount.

I do not generally go for conspiracy theories, but this is one I am not ready to rule out.

What I do not know is how easy it would be for a dealer to reassign a vehicle for one customer to a new customer by changing the spec.

Certainly not the case for me. I negotiated a great deal and have had a smooth run right through. Could be some dealers are not completely honest but more likely distribution issues on components. Perhaps if you order something like 3 zone climate control on a beach VW only have a finite amount of stock as extras as opposed to standard fit in the case of the Ocean which would be allocated to the number of Oceans being built. All speculation of course.

 

[VW Cali]

Having a dig at me Vw Cali? I have an Ocean on order so that might be the difference here. Unlike you, I ordered mine normally, so, like the name on this thread suggests, am reporting how long it has taken so far to get my Cali for the benefit of anyone wondering how long these things take. Your original post would have been more useful had you informed us of the date the dealer ordered it not when you made your deal with him. I think this is why your original post was considered by some as disingenuous.

Dude, calm down. Deep breath, calm down.

Nobody having dig at anyone.

Some can consider anything disingenuous if they have not read through with more than casual glance. Joke. I had made it very clear that my purchase was never my spec. Chill, deep breath. Calm down.

There were was a smiley on my post plus clear explanation that mine was never my own spec but dealer ordered pre spec. It was the lengthy delays that made me decide to buy any spec that was available.

Now try to stay calm and don't get personal. Just because we all made some money to buy a Cali doesn't mean we start calling others:

1. Smart arse (CFO Mike)
2. Pompous (WelshGaseous)
3. Troll (WelshGaseous)
4. Disingenuous (Divsshwar).

Cheers, chill, and hope your Ocean is not too delayed.

 

[Ethel's dad]

Dude, calm down. Deep breath, calm down.

Nobody having dig at anyone.

Some can consider anything disingenuous if they have not read through with more than casual glance. Joke. I had made it very clear that my purchase was never my spec. Chill, deep breath. Calm down.

There were was a smiley on my post plus clear explanation that mine was never my own spec but dealer ordered pre spec. It was the lengthy delays that made me decide to buy any spec that was available.

Now try to stay calm and don't get personal. Just because we all made some money to buy a Cali doesn't mean we start calling others:

1. Smart arse (CFO Mike)
2. Pompous (WelshGaseous)
3. Troll (WelshGaseous)
4. Disingenuous (Divsshwar).

Cheers, chill, and hope your Ocean is not too delayed.

Mate, chill!
I couldn't give a hoot about any of this, really. I was merely trying to autopsy the buried and flogged dead horse you keep digging up and then saying "joke". Well haha, consider me amused. Your bullet points above 1,2 and 3 may be correct but I never said you were disingenuous merely that others may have found you so. This really isn't worth a fart of time, so go out and enjoy your Cali, hopefully I will join you in a few weeks.

 

[Amarillo]

All speculation of course.

I do not know if you have followed what I am trying to do, but it is this. I am trying to move from speculation and theory to something more tangible. If it is components causing the delay, it seems most likely that it is a component common to climatronic 3-zone air conditioning and the standard Beach dashboard.

What I cannot get my head around is how or why such a component shortage would shunt my estimated Beach build date back by 10 weeks, from week 44 to week 2 - it would only be a clip or extra bit of piping.

The ten week shunt backwards makes sense if my build slot were given to someone else, as it appears that those ordering now are given an estimated build date of Week 2, the same date as my revised estimated build. I must be particularly vulnerable to this sort of practice, as I have ordered my vehicle as an ex-demonstrator, and as VW Cali has shown, dealers are willing to reallocate demonstrator models to another customer.

 

[VW Cali]

Mate, chill!
I couldn't give a hoot about any of this, really. I was merely trying to autopsy the buried and flogged dead horse you keep digging up and then saying "joke". Well haha, consider me amused. Your bullet points above 1,2 and 3 may be correct but I never said you were disingenuous merely that others may have found you so. This really isn't worth a fart of time, so go out and enjoy your Cali, hopefully I will join you in a few weeks.

Chill, dude!



When your Ocean arrives all the angst will disappear, and replaced by other Cali worries - scratches and all!

Why we put ourselves through this is beyond me. As a very highly accomplished US engineering professor said to me in the late 1980s:

"Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems!"

Reminds me I need to use Cali for what it's intended.

 

[Ethel's dad]

Can I state for the record I have no angst or worries about scratches or anything else, only excitement at the prospect of getting our Ocean

 

[Ethel's dad]

I do not know if you have followed what I am trying to do, but it is this. I am trying to move from speculation and theory to something more tangible. If it is components causing the delay, it seems most likely that it is a component common to climatronic 3-zone air conditioning and the standard Beach dashboard.

What I cannot get my head around is how or why such a component shortage would shunt my estimated Beach build date back by 10 weeks, from week 44 to week 2 - it would only be a clip or extra bit of piping.

The ten week shunt backwards makes sense if my build slot were given to someone else, as it appears that those ordering now are given an estimated build date of Week 2, the same date as my revised estimated build. I must be particularly vulnerable to this sort of practice, as I have ordered my vehicle as an ex-demonstrator, and as VW Cali has shown, dealers are willing to reallocate demonstrator models to another customer.

Hi Crispin family, I have understood you but am not sure about conspiracy or the greed of that many dealers. My point was more about VW underestimating how many over specced vehicles will be ordered. Lets say they expect to build x Oceans and x beaches this year. 3 zone is standard on the Ocean but they have to guesstimate how many beaches will be ordered with it. If they underestimated any one component then it holds up the whole line. As suppliers now supply everything last minute if there are none, VW have to wait for the supplier to manufacture more parts. The Ocean on the other hand has already been factored in and they will not "steal" from another line that is already over subscribed. Again, not fact but no less probable.

 

[daveyboydanger]

Certainly not the case for me. I negotiated a great deal and have had a smooth run right through. Could be some dealers are not completely honest but more likely distribution issues on components. Perhaps if you order something like 3 zone climate control on a beach VW only have a finite amount of stock as extras as opposed to standard fit in the case of the Ocean which would be allocated to the number of Oceans being built. All speculation of course.

I also got a pretty good deal with Guy at Preston (who, many will testify, gives good deals). Don't think higher profit margin for dealer = faster delivery. There may be something in dealer allocations though. I've emailed Guy to see if he can shed any light on this.

 

[Teejay]

I also got a pretty good deal with Guy at Preston (who, many will testify, gives good deals). Don't think higher profit margin for dealer = faster delivery. There may be something in dealer allocations though. I've emailed Guy to see if he can shed any light on this.

Instead of everyone offering more questions, why don't all people who have had a build date changed speak to the dealer. As Davey has. Collate that information here then you may be closer to an actual reason rather than conjecture?

 

[daveyboydanger]

Instead of everyone offering more questions, why don't all people who have had a build date changed speak to the dealer. As Davey has. Collate that information here then you may be closer to an actual reason rather than conjecture?

Guy said this in reply to my question re delays and reasons why.
'There does not seem to be any logic to it at all to be honest regarding build times – it is really frustrating for everyone. Occasionally, certain components, or lack of parts for certain specific items of spec can hold things up, but there is nothing I am aware of at the moment.'

 

[Amarillo]

Instead of everyone offering more questions, why don't all people who have had a build date changed speak to the dealer. As Davey has. Collate that information here then you may be closer to an actual reason rather than conjecture?

That is exactly the right strategy. Four sets of data which churns out 3 zone climatronic on the Beach as the most likely problem is hardly conclusive evidence.

 

[Loz]

I don't see how hassling any dealer or knowing which supplier has a beef with VW at the current moment and is holding back supplies, is going to improve the situation.

It'll get built eventually.

Carry on your preparations and your collecting of goodies and parts for your new cali ready for when it arrives. Otherwise you will just waste time, get stressed and take years off your life when you could be doing other things.

 

[normg]

Well said Loz. I ordered my new Ocean mid June and was given a mid October delivery date by the dealer. Apparently it has now slipped to sometime in November but could slip again. Does this matter really...No. I've made the deal and will continue to drive my SE (traded in) until the new Ocean arrives, whenever it arrives. So long as I get it before the Tax changes in April I don't mind the wait.

 

[VW Cali]

Can I state for the record I have no angst or worries about scratches or anything else, only excitement at the prospect of getting our Ocean

Excellent!

Important to stay calm and happy. Look at the fair sex. They get pregnant and wait patiently for 9 months and prospect of unbearable pain with a cheerful disposition to boot. Just imagine!

For those suffering from frustration and anger, and prone to lashing out at other Cali owners, know your baby will birth one day

If still anxious, take some ante natal classes, breathing techniques and all.

 

[Amarillo]

Well said Loz. I ordered my new Ocean mid June and was given a mid October delivery date by the dealer. Apparently it has now slipped to sometime in November but could slip again. Does this matter really...No. I've made the deal and will continue to drive my SE (traded in) until the new Ocean arrives, whenever it arrives. So long as I get it before the Tax changes in April I don't mind the wait.

I ordered in April, and was given a September build date, this slipped to October and now it has slipped to January and could still slip further. I cannot think why people feel it is unreasonable to ask the dealer for a reason for such delays.

Like you, I am in no rush, my deadline for delivery is late May 2017 - but if it is a component shortage, it would be good to know, and if we are being sent to the end of the queue it would be nice to know the justification.

 

[Teejay]

I don't see how hassling any dealer or knowing which supplier has a beef with VW at the current moment and is holding back supplies, is going to improve the situation.

It'll get built eventually.

Carry on your preparations and your collecting of goodies and parts for your new cali ready for when it arrives. Otherwise you will just waste time, get stressed and take years off your life when you could be doing other things.

Well said Loz. I ordered my new Ocean mid June and was given a mid October delivery date by the dealer. Apparently it has now slipped to sometime in November but could slip again. Does this matter really...No. I've made the deal and will continue to drive my SE (traded in) until the new Ocean arrives, whenever it arrives. So long as I get it before the Tax changes in April I don't mind the wait.

Don't think a simple call to the dealer should be considered as hassling, as Mulder says just trying to seek the truth.

Many have reported on here of how they sold there California because of the misinformation supplied by the dealer, who I'm confident are not to blame, they are franchised after all.

It seems that people are speculating all sorts, I've seen this many times when you are kept in the dark. A friend of mine who was an exceptional salesman told me once "the salesman tells the truth and gives the customer the updates whether good or bad news"; he was not in car sales by the way. That way although it can be annoying and affect peoples plans at least they know, and they do not have to speculate about parts or allocations etc.

I'm supposed to the the lucky one and mine is on it's way. I'd have been happy with a spring '17 birth.

 

[VW Cali]

I ordered in April, and was given a September build date, this slipped to October and now it has slipped to January and could still slip further. I cannot think why people feel it is unreasonable to ask the dealer for a reason for such delays.

Like you, I am in no rush, my deadline for delivery is late May 2017 - but if it is a component shortage, it would be good to know, and if we are being sent to the end of the queue it would be nice to know the justification.

You know I asked all the above questions of dealer when picking up my California.

I am sure I got an honest answer. Which was that dealers are as frustrated as prospective answers. The dealer said that delays did not work to their own advantage plus it was equally frustrating for them to see build dates move around constantly.

He gave one example of a prospective owner whose build date changed 3 times in 10 dates.

Something odd going on. Dealers don't favour one customer over the other so the only logical explanation is to with VW component suppliers.

If Oceans more affected, then above hypothesis would make sense as more complex machines requiring more components and tech.

Come to think of it, if somebody would list every Cali on this thread by row, and add optional extras in columns, and an additional column for delays, likely a pattern will emerge that will highlight those components or parts giving everyone a headache.

 

[Stoneybroke]

Californias are significantly more complex than a standard Transporter. Logistics used by manufacturers rely on parts being there 'just in time' to put on the vehicle, reducing storage costs, invoicing time, etc, through the supply chain.
Could the answer be a simple one of low volume production? Because of the relatively low numbers of Californias, some of the more specialist parts are ordered in viable batch sizes, rather than the usual continuous stream of high volume parts, so there may be a more stop-start approach to Cali manufacturing.
There could also be a priority issue - for example seats - a hold up in van seats affects hundreds of Transporters, but a hold up on, say, the swivelling middle row seats only affects Calis and Caravelles - decisions to prioritise the van seats would follow.
Again, all speculation...