T6 VW California Delays

[snowy55]

Perhaps no change of order is the problem.

A couple of months ago I did some calculations to work out the number of possible variations of the California Beach. My calculation, which is almost certainly an over-estimate, it that there are 5 quitillion possible factory ordered variations of the Beach.

It is almost certainly an overestimate because there are various options which will not work with other options. When we ordered our Beach, it turned out that we were trying to order two radios, discover media + comp media (I thought one was sat nav and the other a radio).

With so many possible variations, some impossible combinations might slip through the dealer's configurator, the order goes off and you get an unconfirmed build date. When it comes to a confirmed build date, the factory spots the error and cannot confirm the build, so the order returns to the dealer. It goes into your dealer's in tray, other stuff goes on top, and the error is not corrected. You lose your unconfirmed build slot, and get shunted back another 10 weeks.

It is only a theory, but I think plausible even if unlikely. There may be other possible explanations which are not dissimilar. That is why I am now making monthly visits to my dealer - to keep my order at the forefront of my dealer's mind, so there is a smaller possibility of dealer related errors being overlooked. If I get shunted back again I will increase the frequency of my visits.

So my suggestion to you is to keep pressing your dealer for information. Visit weekly if it isn't too far, phone if you cannot visit, don't leave messages, keep phoning until he or she picks up. You should also be calling VWCS, and try to get a named person who will be investigating your case. You have waited long enough.

We are in weekly contact with the dealership and VWCS with a named contact.
Neither have a clue about what is happening to our order other then it keeps going back.
Getting a straight answer out of either ofthem is difficult because the factory gives no details away as to the hold up.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I suspect that the fleet market may have something to do with all of this. I have been thinking (always dangerous!). The T6 Transporter won International Van of the Year award for 2016. That covers 24 countries. The President of IVoY is Group Editor of Fleet Transport Magazine. These are the members of the Jury. http://www.van-of-the-year.com/jury.html Quite an influential lot!! I don't have any statistics but I am sure its possible to get them if I could be bothered, but I suspect that in the scheme of things Calis are a small niche part of VW's Commercial Vehicle sales and as such will always be the Cinderella at the Transporter production line - where all Calis come from as WG already said. That there are no big fleet deals going down across those 24 countries that will cause VW to change its production schedules seem unlikely to me. So, is it possible that we can order things unique to a Cali that can only be built into a van on the main Transporter line? I would be prepared to take a small bet that all of the above conspire to force VW to make changes that affect us Cali customers in order to keep the fleet market happy and to avoid any bad press in the journals that you can see in the Jury link above. Regretably I suspect that will mean we long suffering Cali will continue to suffer. To some extent I can understand VW (don't mistake that as defending them!!) but I do think they should address how they communicate/deal with these delays which are the subject of some passion amongst us all.

 

[Amarillo]

We are in weekly contact with the dealership and VWCS with a named contact.
Neither have a clue about what is happening to our order other then it keeps going back.
Getting a straight answer out of either ofthem is difficult because the factory gives no details away as to the hold up.

You need to escalate your complaint.

Sometimes a letter or email to the chief executive helps.
Try emailing buero.mueller@volkswagen.de

Be very concise, and include your order number. He cannot work magic, but be clear what you would like him to do.

=====Eg=====
RE: order number xxxxxxxx

Sehr geehrter Herr Mueller,

I am experiencing delays of over a year with my order for a VW California. I have been pressing my UK dealer and VW (UK) customer services for an explanation, but they are unable to give me much information. They say this is because the factory will not give them any information.

I have always considered VW to be a premium brand which prides itself on its customer service, and that is why I chose VW for my new vehicle. I am writing to you in the hope that you can allocate this complaint to a named person to investigate and an explanation of why my unconfirmed build date has been moved back, once by 6 weeks, once by 8 weeks and, most recently, by 11 weeks.

Mit besten Grüßen Snowy
=====/Eg=====

This is a a trivial matter for a CEO, and your best hope is that a competent PA will try to keep it off the CEO's desk.

 

[Amarillo]

Regretably I suspect that will mean we long suffering Cali will continue to suffer.

Having read your story with growing horror, I phoned VWCS today for an update. Still unconfirmed week 4 build for us, with the addition opinion from them that this build date is unlikely to move forward or backward, this additional information came unprompted.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Having read your story with growing horror, I phoned VWCS today for an update. Still unconfirmed week 4 build for us, with the addition opinion from them that this build date is unlikely to move forward or backward, this additional information came unprompted.

Thanks for sharing - I take strength from this, that it's not moved! I refuse to be broken by the machinations of a industrial behemoth. I spent too many years working for one (Multi € Billion International) to be intimidated or swayed!

 

[snowy55]

New Beach ordered 26th March 2016, week 12, just been given by, VWCS, a new unconfirmed build date of week 15 2017.
So that's a year and 2 weeks and still no guarantee when it will arrive.

To say we are both bitterly disappointed is an understatement.

To update this saga.
Today we have had a phone call from VWCS apparently on one of there systems our order is confirmed week 2, another system shows unconfirmed week 15.
The dealer also rang to say we are week 5, unconfirmed.
You couldn't make it up.
Vw are in complete disarray.

 

[Jabberwocky]

To update this saga.
Today we have had a phone call from VWCS apparently on one of there systems our order is confirmed week 2, another system shows unconfirmed week 15.
The dealer also rang to say we are week 5, unconfirmed.
You couldn't make it up.
Vw are in complete disarray.

Wow, I knew you had been waiting a long time but 54 weeks? That's out of the park! What did you order?

As for VW? I can't believe they have two systems. I suppose if you want to search for positives, and I can see that this maybe not on your mind at present, they have been honest and told you. Did they not suggest which was correct and why there was a difference? They must be embarrassed. As for the dealer with yet more differing information, that beggars belief! An email to Herr Buero Mueller is certainly worth a shot, or this guy - Nithia Pillay as he is now the new Group Aftersales and Customer Quality Director in the UK. (I got this info from a post elsewhere if not seen (I can't seem to copy the link for you for some reason).

 

[potem]

ordered 24/05/2016
'ready for collection' 09/12/2016 (inverted commas because there is a defect)
I hope someone can make sense of the variable waiting times, but I would be shocked to find there is any logic in it.
150 Ocean 4Motion manual : Bamboo Garden Green
downhill assist
diff lock
ACC & front assist
storage net
insulation glass
M-F steering heel
Composition media
debadged
towbar
app connect
lights & vision
camera & side assist
awning

 

[Thelovewalrus]

Ordered my 150 dsg blackberry ocean19th July 2016,just had an email yesterday from James daniels at Eurovans Crawley our order is now "status 20"confirmed week build 4 which has moved from unconfirmed week 7 on target for a mid March handover next year.fingers crossed. Other dates given prev were week 44,50 and then week 7 but all were unconfirmed.

 

[thehorse]

Spoke to VW customer service today, I asked what the current lead time on the Ocean and was told 12 weeks! Don't really believe that and my order still has no build date after 1 month.

 

[Wolfsburg]

Current wait time in Germany now is 8 weeks, someone on the cali board ordered in November and picks up today. It is a good time to buy as discounts are high, someone said 11%

 

[Jabberwocky]

Spoke to VW customer service today, I asked what the current lead time on the Ocean and was told 12 weeks! Don't really believe that and my order still has no build date after 1 month.

Current wait time in Germany now is 8 weeks, someone on the cali board ordered in November and picks up today. It is a good time to buy as discounts are high, someone said 11%

Really! I've been waiting since August and still no confirmed build date!! Others on this forum have been waiting longer.
For a Board member to order in November and take delivery in December (if this is true) tells us everything we need to know about VW customer service etc......

 

[Salty]

Spoke to VW customer service today, I asked what the current lead time on the Ocean and was told 12 weeks! Don't really believe that and my order still has no build date after 1 month.

We have no confirmed build date and we ordered 25 May. Unconfirmed build date is now week 5, but before that was week 15, before that week 47 (2016). When I paid my deposit was told it would be just after Christmas for delivery! Communication hasn't been very good until recently when a new guy took over, and all in all, so far buying a Cali hasn't been a lot of fun!!

 

[snowy55]

We have no confirmed build date and we ordered 25 May. Unconfirmed build date is now week 5, but before that was week 15, before that week 47 (2016). When I paid my deposit was told it would be just after Christmas for delivery! Communication hasn't been very good until recently when a new guy took over, and all in all, so far buying a Cali hasn't been a lot of fun!!

Vw certainly know how to suck the fun out ordering a pleasure vehicle.
They seem to think they are doing you a favour taking your money.

 

[Zenaj]

Maybe because od long wait we value Calis that much more


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B J G]

Ordered August told week 50 build. Week 50 checked & told now week 03.

Just had a phone call from Salesman advising that it's IN production now week 51.

So there's hope yet for everybody else.

Blackberry 204 4Motion DSG. Short extras list.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Hi Jabberwocky. I think you placed your order around the same time as me, end of September. I called my dealer today in response to this stufff about delays and dealers using their allocation. He didnt say anything to confirm or contradict comments on here. He said my van is in a phase of order accepted. When did you place your order and have you been given a build date or have you been advised what thase your order is at?

@Hantshog Are you still unconfirmed build at week 16? Mine is still unconfirmed at week 4. Oh, I ordered end August but now getting rather frustrated as others seem to be shifting forwards but seemingly not mine!

Still hoping to miss the dreaded VED increase though. Need to stay positive

 

[B J G]

@Hantshog Are you still unconfirmed build at week 16? Mine is still unconfirmed at week 4. Oh, I ordered end August but now getting rather frustrated as others seem to be shifting forwards but seemingly not mine!

Still hoping to miss the dreaded VED increase though. Need to stay positive

When I was getting worried about missing March registration Salesman said as long as he could get the VIN before April it could be registered. By that it gives a bit more flexibility in that if it's built but still at the factory or in transit you could beat the VED deadline.

 

[RoB5urf]

When I was getting worried about missing March registration Salesman said as long as he could get the VIN before April it could be registered. By that it gives a bit more flexibility in that if it's built but still at the factory or in transit you could beat the VED deadline.

That's good to know BJG. I might need to have that discussion with my dealer - my Beach was unconfirmed week 4 for a long time but apparently its now slipped to week 8

 

[Thelovewalrus]

When I was getting worried about missing March registration Salesman said as long as he could get the VIN before April it could be registered. By that it gives a bit more flexibility in that if it's built but still at the factory or in transit you could beat the VED deadline.

I asked my dealer they told me the vehicle MUST be in the uk before registration can happen. Seems we are getting conflicting advice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B J G]

I asked my dealer they told me the vehicle MUST be in the uk before registration can happen. Seems we are getting conflicting advice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Had a look on DVLA and I think you are correct as it needs Import Docs for personal registration.

If VW have direct access to DVLA for registering vehicles it may not need bits of paper merely the correct reference numbers. No doubt come March all avenues will be tested.

 

[Amarillo]

@Hantshog Are you still unconfirmed build at week 16? Mine is still unconfirmed at week 4. Oh, I ordered end August but now getting rather frustrated as others seem to be shifting forwards but seemingly not mine!

Ordered April 2016 - now confirmed Week 4: week beginning 23 January 2017. Told by VWCS, 2 weeks build, 3 weeks transit; this takes us to 27 February. A March registration will make it a 17 plate, but old VED.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Just had a Christmas present! Just been informed my Status 10 has changed to Status 20 (22 weeks to get there). That's a confirmed build date. The week? No change, so that means week 4. On track to avoid that nasty VED hike? Looks like it. Its getting exciting - at last.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Ordered April 2016 - now confirmed Week 4: week beginning 23 January 2017. Told by VWCS, 2 weeks build, 3 weeks transit; this takes us to 27 February. A March registration will make it a 17 plate, but old VED.

Yours and mine will be on the track together!

 

[Amarillo]

Yours and mine will be on the track together!

We now need to monitor here for a Grape Yellow roof and Bamboo Green roof:
https://goo.gl/maps/giuMu2dgvAL2