[rev]

Originally Posted by Poverty

Do you own that cupra?

I wish I did. The Leon Cupra is a very stylish car.

Im getting a Cupra K1 in march.

Really like the look of the new ibiza but the ibiza cupra hasnt got enough power for me!

Really? I think 180 hp is enough. To each his own.

[martinbo]

Just an interesting, slightly OT tidbit... VWSA is in the process of closing down all SEAT delearships in South Africa as a result of the economic climate. So there're two things to be appreciated from this:

a) SEAT couldn't cut in SA against established market players even at the slightly lower price.
b) SEAT doesn't have the mass-appeal of VWSA's other brands.

Quite simply, SEATs are relevant only to European markets where sophisticated consumers recognise the value / trade-off vs other VW brands. When viewed holistically and in a global context, the VW products have a far superior product image.

[Poverty]

Originally Posted by martinbo

Just an interesting, slightly OT tidbit... VWSA is in the process of closing down all SEAT delearships in South Africa as a result of the economic climate. So there're two things to be appreciated from this:

a) SEAT couldn't cut in SA against established market players even at the slightly lower price.
b) SEAT doesn't have the mass-appeal of VWSA's other brands.

Quite simply, SEATs are relevant only to European markets where sophisticated consumers recognise the value / trade-off vs other VW brands. When viewed holistically and in a global context, the VW products have a far superior product image.

Yes this is true. TBH im surprised VAG launched SEAT in south africa in the first place. Correct me if im wrong but isnt there a huge lifestyle gap in south africa. Basically the poor and the wealthy?

So on that basis someone who can afford a SEAT or VW in the first place will most likely go for the VW if you understand what I mean. Although over on seatcupra.net we have had a couple unhappy south african seat drivers.

Obviously with SEAT being a cheaper slightly sportier VW it does take alot of time for SEAT to get momentum in new markets, but the fanbase in the UK for SEAT is growing massively. It reminds me of how audi was in a way 20 to 25 years ago. And with audi having moved over alot of their execs to SEAT, things are seemingly only going to get more exciting for us SEAT guys.

[VroomVroom]

Might actually be getting the new Ibiza Selling the A6

[Poverty]

Originally Posted by vroom_vroom

Might actually be getting the new Ibiza Selling the A6

Id wait a while if I was you. VW have lumbered the ibiza with all the old engines still, until the new polo comes out, as otherwise it would take too many sales from the current polo.

[VroomVroom]

^ Ahh thanks for that When is the new polo set to be out?

[martinbo]

Not far off the mark Poverty.

Yes, South Africa is still a country of significant disparity between the wealthy and the poor. However, there is a distinctly burgeoning middle class - and these are the buyers that SEAT ought to have appealed to. Problem was, first and foremost: VWSA took the initial strategy to position SEAT as a premium sporty brand above VW. WhaTheF**k were they thinking. Our buyers, especially black middle class, are particularly brand and quality conscious and VWSA grossly underestimated the level of discernment and awareness among the emerging and established middle class. No one was going to be duped into buying a lesser quality (please don't take offence, I recognise the attributes of SEAT) SEAT for more than a more prestigious, better established VW product.

The knee-jerk reaction was to quickly reposition the brand and to drop retail prices of the cars more in line with European product placement practice. This peeved existing owners of SEAT off and these owners had to be compensated. The damage was done; and together with some confusing model placement and product positioning the SA buyer was left with a great deal of scepticism toward this rather fine brand. Products that should've sold well like the absolutely terrific Altea - an exceptionally well resolved family car - were destined to be total flops. A crying shame.

Advertising campaigns were flippant and vague - instead of portraying the superiority of multi-link suspension and world-class engines for the price, SEAT instead launched a radio ad campaign focussed on the pronunciation of the brand name. It was cheezy and forgettable and totally inane. VWSA holds huge sway with the South African motoring press; and it completely failed to leverage off the opportunity to showcase the superiority of the models barring a few sporadic instances.

With the proper intentions from the outset, aggressive pricing and a hard-hitting marketing drive SEAT SA would be in a totally different position to what it is now.

[rev]

Originally Posted by martinbo

No one was going to be duped into buying a lesser quality (please don't take offence, I recognise the attributes of SEAT) SEAT for more than a more prestigious, better established VW product.

My family owns two SEATs for 9 years now and I must say their quality isn't that worse compared to VWs. However, in terms of reliability they're on the same level if not better. The same is being said about Skoda's. It's a pity that a fine car maker like SEAT totally fails in gaining a good position amongst well established players in SA due to wrong advertisement and pricing policy. I wonder why VAG didn't deal with that issue and try to establish the carmaker as a cheaper alternative to VW but with the same high quality standards. Just my two cents.

[Poverty]

One day I might be a VW driver. Overall its a more accomplished product to the SEAT brands, however currently I do not want the premium interior, I want the performance at the minimum price. My car can be harsh and rough, right now thats what I like. I find that an attribute to a sporty car. In the UK 30% of SEAT's sold are cupra and FR models. And the majority of cupra drivers are between 25 and 30, with the next biggest group being the 21 to 24 year olds. SEAT is a brand of the young!

I wonder that the exeo cupra will be packing. 4WD or FWD?

[vabboud]

to be frank i almost got into buying a seat some time ago, but for some reason i couldn't convince myself buying a seat when for a similar price or a bit more i can get a japanese equivalent, i was looking basically at the ibiza, but in lebanon the ibiza is still the old model, the new model to be released next year probably after new year, so that was the lat nail.
i ended up buying a mazda 3, all my friends who have maxda 3's say that reliability is 100%, consumption is low, and the cars are well equipped, exactly what i needed, besides i already inherited a mazda 323 model 1995 some years ago, so it was destined
i didn't want used, and no german cars except opel are in my budget but their resale value is crap