[TD_GHY]

Was passing by Maligaon today, the area where the only Volkswagen dealership of Guwahati (Volkswagen Guwahati) is located and saw that renovation work is going on. A new Honda dealership Paramount Honda is being set up. Could not get details since I had to rush for some work.

Does anyone have any information regarding this? Is VW dealership closing down or is it being relocated? Since it is the only dealership here, after sales service will take a hit if it is really closing down.

[anjan_c2007]

Normally the automobile company won't simply pack up. Maybe they are either changing the dealer or the dealer is relocating.

Guwahati is an important town and a state capital. So its not possible that VW will ignore the Assam market and move away. Please get in touch with the dealer to know their future plans. Usually, they reveal the change of dealership or change of the dealer's address through press advts.

[pranjal1984]

The dealer SM Autokrafts has got Honda dealership as per my close contacts. That is the second Honda dealership in Guwahati. They have already surrendered Volkswagen dealership. I also recollect VW giving prominent ads in local newspapers about a month back asking for new entrepreneurs to sign up for VW dealership. I wonder who will be the new VW dealer in town. But service and aftersales surely will take a hit for the time being.

[memascom]

We are based 400 kilometres east of Guwahati and only knew about the closure of the dealership when a neighbouring Polo had gone for it's yearly servicing and came back empty handed as the dealership had shut down by then. Our car is up for its first servicing this month, and so far calls and messages to their customer service have yielded no results, despite them assuring us that they will follow up to our queries, there have been none so far other than the advice to take our car to Kolkata.

On asking if there's a new dealership that's coming up, all they reply is that it's "in process". Plus doing a Google search on Volkswagen Guwahati shows a new address but without any contact information or reviews. We are now looking for a place that can carry out routine maintenance jobs on our car, hopefully some place should be there.

[TD_GHY]

Originally Posted by memascom

the advice to take our car to Kolkata.

Driving down 1500 kms for a regular servicing doesn't make any sense.

This is a very disturbing issue with brands other than Maruti, Hyundai, Tat and Mahindra in Tier-II cities. They don't have the volumes, and also can shut shop anytime.

No idea what is the best way forward for the time being. Any suggestions from other BHPians? Will servicing at a normal FNG impact their warranty?

We are now looking for a place that can carry out routine maintenance jobs on our car, hopefully some place should be there.

Will inform if i get to know of any such VW authorized place.

[Sheel]

Originally Posted by memascom

We are based 400 kilometres east of Guwahati and only knew about the closure of the dealership when a neighbouring Polo had gone for it's yearly servicing and came back empty handed as the dealership had shut down by then.

Fret not, the other dealership is not that far away. There is one at Siliguri & I don't see them shutting shop anytime soon.

But I can feel the pain. We got the Yeti & Jia auto shut its shop @ Siliguri.

But for sure, more VW's are sold than Skoda/Fiat or Mitsubishi, so a dealership should come up at Guwahati if one is not already planned or being set up as we speak.

[memascom]

Originally Posted by TD_GHY

This is a very disturbing issue with brands other than Maruti, Hyundai, Tat and Mahindra in Tier-II cities. They don't have the volumes, and also can shut shop anytime.

The possibility of VW Guwahati shutting shop was playing on my mind when I was deciding on a car to buy, especially considering the past record of Skoda in Guwahati that had two different dealerships at different points in time. What was more worrying is the fact that Skoda did put up adverts in The Assam Tribune inviting partners for dealership a couple of years ago and I haven't seen their intention materialise into reality but their Siliguri dealership did shut down after that.

No idea what is the best way forward for the time being. Any suggestions from other BHPians? Will servicing at a normal FNG impact their warranty?

From what they have told me so far, it does. I have requested them to tie up with a local garage here, do not think it will be taken seriously too.

Will inform if i get to know of any such VW authorized place.

Thank you.

Also the fact that VW was unable to branch out to other places in the Northeast even after 5-6 years of their existence in Guwahati worried me a bit. I desperately wanted the Swift but the family wouldn't have it, although the Polo is a nice car, I fear the VWs of Northeast will suffer the fate of the Skodas of Northeast They did tell that their branch at Jorhat should have been running when we were checking out the car, but was held up by local regulatory approvals, I knew that was just to make us decide on the car.

Originally Posted by Sheel

Fret not, the other dealership is not that far away. There is one at Siliguri & I don't see them shutting shop anytime soon.

But I can feel the pain. We got the Yeti & Jia auto shut its shop @ Siliguri.

But for sure, more VW's are sold than Skoda/Fiat or Mitsubishi, so a dealership should come up at Guwahati if one is not already planned or being set up as we speak.

Yes sir, I've read your thread detailing the troubles you have had to face with your beloved Yeti because of Skoda's superb management of it's affairs in the country. I hope, the issues you were facing have been resolved. The remaining Skodas of Guwahati were mostly serviced at VW Guwahati. Fiat is now back in Guwahati.

[pranjal1984]

That was the main reason I let go of my Polo last year on OLX and that too after 20 month ownership. Foreign branded cars in the North East are ticking time bombs. Sales margin on their vehicles is a pittance for the dealerships and their bulk of revenue come from servicing income. The main service for Polo is done only at the end of 1st year or 15000 kms when they change engine oil, air filter, etc. The 1st service at 6 months is only inspection of the car and body wash. If your car is only 6 months old, I would suggest you to wait for the annual service since you wont miss anything by foregoing the 1st free inspection check-up.

[memascom]

Originally Posted by pranjal1984

That was the main reason I let go of my Polo last year on OLX and that too after 20 month ownership. Foreign branded cars in the North East are ticking time bombs. Sales margin on their vehicles is a pittance for the dealerships and their bulk of revenue come from servicing income. The main service for Polo is done only at the end of 1st year or 15000 kms when they change engine oil, air filter, etc.

I read your post announcing the sale of your car on the "Polo Test Drive & Review" thread. That was a prudent decision you took. To be honest, I was a bit alarmed but appreciative of your decision at the same time when you sold your Polo for a Swift. The concern that led you to do it was what was playing on my mind when I was deciding on the car to buy, but ultimately the other family members voted for the Polo, despite being appraised of the risks. One can find quite a few VWs from the region being listed on used car websites and dealerships in the past month.

The dealership sold off the last remaining cars it had with discounts, even listed the cars on OlX and other websites in the used cars section. But on clicking the advert you could see the car being decribed as "new" and something on the likes of "collect from the dealerhip".

The 1st service at 6 months is only inspection of the car and body wash. If your car is only 6 months old, I would suggest you to wait for the annual service since you wont miss anything by foregoing the 1st free inspection check-up.

It's up for it's first annual servicing, it has crossed 12000 kilometres now. Using the car sparingly these days.

However, I can see Toyota, Honda, Ford and Renault doing well in Assam now. Only exception other than VW being Nissan and Fiat, although Nissan has got presence in towns like Tinsukia and Sibsagar. Ford had two dealerships belonging to the same agency in Assam for more than a decade in Guwahati and Tinsukia before their presence expanded. That was during their Escort, Ikon and Fusion days and they sustained despite low sales. VW were doing decently in Assam and NE, at least the Polo was. Their attitude towards customers, service issues and everything VW being more expensive are what I believe contributed to the loss of their dealership here.

Interesting Audi is enjoying some good number of sales here while Skoda and VW being absent.

[pranjal1984]

I really feel VW should have at least provided the aftersales service till the time a new dealership is appointed. Very unprofessional on their part to leave their buyers in the lurch just like Skoda.I also agree with other forum members that you should take it to Siliguri rather than to Kolkata. It will be another excuse for you to test the Polo in the Darjeeling Hills.

[memascom]

Originally Posted by pranjal1984

It will be another excuse for you to test the Polo in the Darjeeling Hills.

That probably won't be necesary.

VW is organising a service camp at Guwahati, probably in the 2nd week of June. I've the contact info of the person needed to be contacted for information and registration. People who need it can PM me and I'll share the details.

Also some ex-VW Guwahati mechanics now work at third party garages and can service VWs. I have the contact information of one of them. Will share it on request.

Request BHPians to relay the information to VW owners in need of it, if possible.

[memascom]

Finally the car went through it's first proper service, sort of.

VW Kolkata(OSL Exclusive) has been servicing cars out of the facilities of Himatsingka Ford which suddenly closed down about a year ago. The facility started out in it's life as Himatsingka Skoda which shut down to make way for Ford. From what I've been told, OSL Exclusive are the upcoming VW Guwahati and they have got the premises leased out to them from Himatsingka, they say they will be up and about in the beginning of next year. They are getting bodywork repairs and painting done at Audi Guwahati which is right next door.

VW Kolkata has dispatched a service manager and one mechanic to look after the flood of cars needing attention. Service booking and other aspects are looked after by two people who were earlier with the former VW Guwahati, with one watchmen and couple of other people. The premises are in shambles there were VW cars waiting for parts since several days, scattered poorly covered in bird droppings, dust and leaves. The service area was pretty dirty and they couldn't get cars washed because the guys hadn't turned up. Our floor carpets had oil stains from the workshop floor when the technicians got on board the car to check stuff. Throughout the day they were receiving calls from angry and dissatisfied customers(mostly those that had cars at the premises waiting for spares to arrive) and were putting off newer service bookings till November as they had their slots full, but they were in good spirits.

Visiting the closed Ford showroom was a bizarre experience, there were still plenty of stuff from previous operation lying around - from spare parts to brochures to office and cooking equipment and even phones that were plugged in, but wasn't functioning. Every room was equipped and unlocked, but in shambles. There were even unsold previous gen Ford Figo diesels in the premises until a few days back, guess they were clearing out stock. Even they have left various medals, certificates and photographs of them receiving awards from Ford India for good performance, in their place, attracting dust. And to add to it, there were VW spares being dumped in the showroom area, the access to which, they tried to block with a dirty sofa.
Very bizarre.

But at least we got our cars serviced!

[Ashkait Kapoor]

Originally Posted by memascom

Finally the car went through it's first proper service, sort of.



VW Kolkata(OSL Exclusive) has been servicing cars out of the facilities of Himatsingka Ford which suddenly closed down about a year ago. The facility started out in it's life as Himatsingka Skoda which shut down to make way for Ford. From what I've been told, OSL Exclusive are the upcoming VW Guwahati and they have got the premises leased out to them from Himatsingka, they say they will be up and about in the beginning of next year. They are getting bodywork repairs and painting done at Audi Guwahati which is right next door.



VW Kolkata has dispatched a service manager and one mechanic to look after the flood of cars needing attention. Service booking and other aspects are looked after by two people who were earlier with the former VW Guwahati, with one watchmen and couple of other people.


But at least we got our cars serviced!

Well quite a relief,
My dad's polo is due for service in January and I did know of the VW dealer shutting shop until today. Had visited last January when it was in business.

[memascom]

This article quotes the owner of the now closed SM Autokrafts on why he switched to Honda.

Has anyone seen the proposed new dealership being developed at the site of the now closed Himatsingka Ford?