WLTP Related Delays...

[RetroRed5]

There are a couple of threads where the subject of WLTP and delays has come up so I thought I'd start a new thread to bring this particular subject together into a single thread.

We ordered our CaliO back in May; we were given week 34 as the build week and initially it was set to arrive at dealership in Week 40; this was changed a couple of weeks ago to week 44 but as of a phone call I just had with my dealer a few minutes ago this has been pushed back to week 52; so for us we can now expect to take delivery around mid-January 2019 (assuming no more delays). So that's our first trips we had planned for November out the window then .

I had a good discussion with the dealer and from what I can tell, they are also very frustrated with the situation because it is beyond their control; my dealer explained that the main cause of the delay (in so far as he knows) is down to the fact that every possible combination of vehicle has to be tested and approved before it can be released; consider then, how many possible combinations of a factory spec'd California there is, he said that even one minor change to a factory spec (i.e. adding parking sensors) will require full WLTP tests to be carried out and approval granted before it can be released. Under the old system of testing there would have been 1 "Type" test for a 199 DSG 4M CaliO but under WLTP it will be thousands of tests (x 2 for Beach/Ocean, x 2 for 150PS/199PS, x 2 for DSG/Manual, x 2 for 4Motion/2WD).

The dealer also said that what may happen in the future (pure speculation of course) is that VW may stop offering so much choice in terms of the options and that instead they would massively simplify things by offering "packs", for example "Pack 1" would include options A, B and C, "Pack 2" would be options, A, E and F...etc.

My dealer was very apologetic and offered a VW customer care number I could call if I wanted to complain and also said that I could cancel if I wanted.

It is very frustrating for sure but I guess we are all going to have to be patient given we are all is the same boat.

 

[Legin]

I wonder how many miles our T6,s will have on them as they are not going to produce two of each with one for testing purposes or can we assume they will just keep adding and removing options from a test cali ?
Also will we all be paying different road tax on the same model.

Classic case of chucking the baby out with the bath water. All that needed to happen was for the original test to be done honestly and with a reasonable representation of normal road conditions. Used to be quite representative the extra urban consumption for those that can remember.

 

[RetroRed5]

Also will we all be paying different road tax on the same model.

Yes, quite possibly.

 

[Nolan]

Was originally build week 33 having ordered in May, now apparently looking at week 44 but with low confidence although it seems to be backed up by the screenshot on the other thread

VW Customer Care (0800 783 4909 option 7) are usually quite helpful but I think they basically have the same information available as the dealer.

I did think of maybe tweeting VWCV but figure I'd wait and see if they are likely to hit week 44 first, I don't really want to cancel as this all means very little forecourt stock and secondhand prices going up. Best to be patient (to a point) I guess.

 

[RetroRed5]

Was originally build week 33 having ordered in May, now apparently looking at week 44 but with low confidence although it seems to be backed up by the screenshot on the other thread

Give your dealer a call, they may be able to give you more information; mine got a message from VW late last Friday (28th) which said these delays apply to all orders and so I'd imagine if you were banking of week 44 (as we were) then chances are it is affected by these delays (how long will depend on which model you have ordered).

 

[MiniPalethorpe]

The dealer explanation of how the new tests ‘work’ fits with the explanation we got when we ordered our new Beach last month ie the delay is that pretty much every vehicle leaving the factory would need to be tested as each variant of each engine type would have to be tested separately down to different wheels, added extras such as tow bar etc. And let’s face it most Cali’s ordered are ‘bespoke’... Our dealer also gave it as one of the potential reasons there is now only one engine option for the Beach.

 

[Legin]

The dealer explanation of how the new tests ‘work’ fits with the explanation we got when we ordered our new Beach last month ie the delay is that pretty much every vehicle leaving the factory would need to be tested as each variant of each engine type would have to be tested separately down to different wheels, added extras such as tow bar etc. And let’s face it most Cali’s ordered are ‘bespoke’... Our dealer also gave it as one of the potential reasons there is now only one engine option for the Beach.

What are they testing though. Our vehicles strapped up or a test mule modified, realistically its our own vehicle ?

 

[MiniPalethorpe]

Don’t think there is any other option than own vehicle but may be wrong!

 

[gvick]

There are a couple of threads where the subject of WLTP and delays has come up so I thought I'd start a new thread to bring this particular subject together into a single thread.

We ordered our CaliO back in May; we were given week 34 as the build week and initially it was set to arrive at dealership in Week 40; this was changed a couple of weeks ago to week 44 but as of a phone call I just had with my dealer a few minutes ago this has been pushed back to week 52; so for us we can now expect to take delivery around mid-January 2019 (assuming no more delays). So that's our first trips we had planned for November out the window then .

I had a good discussion with the dealer and from what I can tell, they are also very frustrated with the situation because it is beyond their control; my dealer explained that the main cause of the delay (in so far as he knows) is down to the fact that every possible combination of vehicle has to be tested and approved before it can be released; consider then, how many possible combinations of a factory spec'd California there is, he said that even one minor change to a factory spec (i.e. adding parking sensors) will require full WLTP tests to be carried out and approval granted before it can be released. Under the old system of testing there would have been 1 "Type" test for a 199 DSG 4M CaliO but under WLTP it will be thousands of tests (x 2 for Beach/Ocean, x 2 for 150PS/199PS, x 2 for DSG/Manual, x 2 for 4Motion/2WD).

The dealer also said that what may happen in the future (pure speculation of course) is that VW may stop offering so much choice in terms of the options and that instead they would massively simplify things by offering "packs", for example "Pack 1" would include options A, B and C, "Pack 2" would be options, A, E and F...etc.

My dealer was very apologetic and offered a VW customer care number I could call if I wanted to complain and also said that I could cancel if I wanted.

It is very frustrating for sure but I guess we are all going to have to be patient given we are all is the same boat.

I may pop into to my dealer as I need Cali for June 2019 and was originally going to order a similar spec to yours in December.
The worrying thing is is that all the delays are cumulative with every week that goes by without new calis arriving from the factory.
I remember reading threads 12-18months ago about delays and thought that wouldn’t happen again but hey ho it’s such a great vehicle IMHO.

 

[RetroRed5]

The worrying thing is is that all the delays are cumulative with every week that goes by without new calis arriving from the factory.

I think you are quite right in that the delays will have a cumulative effect but only for a period of time; although as more configurations are tested, things will begin to speed up again because as new orders are received, the chances of that particular config being already tested and approved will increase and so more and more Cali's will roll off the production line and be sent straight out to the dealerships rather than being impounded waiting for testing to be complete.

I guess the best ways to reduce the chances of a big delay (if you are ordering in the next few months) are to order as soon as you can and perhaps go easy on the options.

 

[Wobble’s Mum]

Well I’m very confused.

We had resigned ourselves to the fact that we would be subject to the delays and I’ve just had an email from my dealer saying that our Cali was released for shipping yesterday. He also said they expect it to be in the UK within the next 7-10 days. He also said definaltely with them this month. This was build week 36.

Where exactly is the delay occurring then? Germany or UK? Where does the testing take place?

 

[Miles Porter]

Well I’m very confused.

We had resigned ourselves to the fact that we would be subject to the delays and I’ve just had an email from my dealer saying that our Cali was released for shipping yesterday. He also said they expect it to be in the UK within the next 7-10 days. He also said definaltely with them this month. This was build week 36.

Where exactly is the delay occurring then? Germany or UK? Where does the testing take place?

That’s great news and provides hope to all that are waiting. Our VW Dealer is still saying delivery expected Dec/Jan for order placed 2 weeks ago - I think delays are a mix of quotas, tests and general luck. I am more hopeful that I will see ours in Feb/March 2019. Any later then looking for a 19 plate so not all bad

 

[RetroRed5]

Well I’m very confused.

We had resigned ourselves to the fact that we would be subject to the delays and I’ve just had an email from my dealer saying that our Cali was released for shipping yesterday. He also said they expect it to be in the UK within the next 7-10 days. He also said definaltely with them this month. This was build week 36.

Where exactly is the delay occurring then? Germany or UK? Where does the testing take place?

Great news!! Clearly your particular spec has completed the testing process or else VW had already tested your exact spec and so when your Cali rolled off the production line it went for shipping right away.

In so far as I know, the bottleneck is with the testing of vehicles as they come out of the factory which will be over in Germany; until a given spec of Cali is signed off as approved, it cannot be released for shipping.

 

[Joefarina]

Bad news in Italy too! I’ve just heard the dealer. My Cali “Pollicino” was expected to be ready today. Production started on week 36. It was due to exit on week 40. Since the customer section of the website keeps on saying it’s in production I called the dealer. He told me there are delays on Cali produced til week 42. So the pickup goes from week 43/44 to 47/48.
Not sure to be able to wait another two months since I already sold my car. Vw customer care I called prior to the dealer didn’t know anythingabout delays that is a shame

 

[Thomas Rees]

This is killing me. We’ve been given so many dates now it’s unreal. We were given a week 44 build date with projected dates of early September then late September then early October .......you get the picture! Now we are told early to mid November but I’ve lost all faith in dates. I’m in the armed forces and traveling back to the U.K. from Norway to pick it up when it’s ready. Why not just be more honest and not give out dates that raise hopes.

 

[Thomas Rees]

Finally coming back to the U.K. to up our ocean on Wednesday. 4 month delay (September was its original scheduled date). It’s been a long wait so at last it seems real.

 

[Legin]

Seem to be coming through now. Im collecting mine Jan 4th however its actually arrived time now. Enjoy your pick up

 

[Thomas Rees]

Thanks