[arnav17]

Don't know why Skoda are doing this to their lineup. The deletion of auto folding mirrors definitely lost them a lot of customers. Skoda has to do something to take the leadership against the Creta and Seltos which offer all this and more.

[BrabarusMark]

Originally Posted by Sabareesan

provide customize your car/build your car option, where the customers can select only the options they want and skip out on some of the features. If needed, some of the options can be retrofitted at some point later, without voiding the warranty.

Honestly, today car makers should just offer one base variant to get the marketing price and then offer customers the option to choose what they want. The base variant should tick the boxes of infotainment, climate control, and safety. The rest can be handled and installed by dealerships.

So many people just the base variant and kit it out better than the OEM top variant. To me it seems like a missed opportunity to capitalise on this customer at the dealership level.

[prajwalmr62]

We should make a poll asking which feature would be deleted next.

Also, is the same deletion happening in Taigun too? It gets waaay less attention than Kushaq even though both are basically same car.

[ashutoshb]

Originally Posted by karan561

I See this as an Upgrade as I personally dislike the current climate control touch sensitive scroller available on my Kushaq (Style variant) & find it really difficult/distracting to operate A/C Controls while driving. Hope this is available as a retrofit for Style variant owners and we get some cash-back of sorts. Will enquire

Agreed. Its a real pain to use. I would gladly swap my controls with the base variant's knobs.

[84.monsoon]

Originally Posted by FASTLIFE

Yukk!! The Tata Altroz/Punch has better looking manual ac's than these rotating knob ones ( I think they are automatic ac only without the sensors as the airflow is controlled by small motor driven actuators rather than manual knobs, something like what an amt does). VW group is already suffering due to multiple issues in their cars yet they keep on deleting features and raising prices.

Agree - They could have at least used more modern knobs or push button type controls.

Take a look at the dash of the VW Golf 1991 model - the rotary knobs on the Kushaq are essentially the same design carried forward 31 years.

[AutoConsultant]

This wouldn't have been such a big talking point had they offered the Ambition variant with Manual AC at the launch only. Chip shortage has been going on for some time now and it had to be factored in during the demand planning stage. They wouldn't have forecasted less than 3,000 units per month and still using the excuse of chip shortage.

The 2.0 strategy has simply gone haywire. There have been many more negatives coming out of it. The intent has been good - to offer quality products which can compete with the competition - but the execution has gone horribly wrong.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

Agree - They could have at least used more modern knobs or push button type controls.

Take a look at the dash of the VW Golf 1991 model - the rotary knobs on the Kushaq are essentially the same design carried forward 31 years.

OT - Love the way VW is inscribed on the steering as well the bolstering on the seats, that's how they became what they are today. Regrettably, when it comes to CKD operations, cost-cutting is super annoying.

That's the reason, they are neither here nor there. Had they restricted themselves as a cheaper alternative to Big3, but competent offering par EU standards, they could have got so much more business and even profits. They fail to compete on prices with Japanese/ Koreans/ Local and while trying, lost famed German engineering & built to last feel as well.

[TT-S]

Chip shortage is a smokescreen to delete features here.

Climate control is detrimental in improving fuel economy especially in petrol cars - The manual AC compressor is always on full power, Manual AC is the cheaper option (Never seen a manual AC with variable compressor which will add to the cost - the temperature knob just mixes hot air to increase air temperature).

Deleting features in both Taigun and Kushaq might be a trick to differentiate these from the Slavia and Virtus which are similar in pricing to the SUV brothers from the same stable. Given similar performance, dimensions and features most people would pick the SUV lineup.

[vredesbyrd]

This is terrible but at least you get back the manual controls. Had driven a 2017 City with the touch controls. I lost my cool trying to use it while driving (no pun intended)

I wonder what's next. Headlights? Instrument cluster? Steering wheel replaced by an Xbox controller? Or will they remove the rear 2 doors and call it "Kushaq Coupé"?

[dipen]

I think the Active variant has zero stock and zero discounts and dealers will suggest a long waiting period. In Mumbai, Active onroad is 12.90 and Ambition is 15.00 but almost always has discounts in the range of 50-75k from time to time.

So effectively Active and Ambition difference is 1.35 to 1.5 onroad for which you get Alloys, DRL in headlamp, 10" infotainment, fog lights, wiper, defogger, basic ambient lighting, some 30-40k worth of better trim bits on the inside and outside which I think should ensure people continue to pick the Ambition over the Active with folding mirrors and CC gone now.

Off topic : if the new Brezza comes with a trim to trim difference of 2.5 to 3.00 lakh on road, Skoda is going to have an even harder time. In practical features, VW twins offer only better rear legroom in practical features, rest almost everything is almost comparable in the sub-4 tall boys from Korea. 1.0 TC engine and Euro brand will soon be forgotten among majority of buyers once competition intensifies.

[Herschey]

Coming up is VW Skoda 3.0 strategy where they simply delete the cars, blame the chip shortage for it, and "take their customers on a ride" to their destination over a Zoom or Webex call. The strategy is called Drive From Home 1.0 and its headed to the Playstation and XBox near you.

[M00M]

Originally Posted by AutoConsultant

The 2.0 strategy has simply gone haywire. There have been many more negatives coming out of it. The intent has been good - to offer quality products which can compete with the competition - but the execution has gone horribly wrong.

In my opinion this chipset business is complete hogwash. Skoda has messed up big time once again and shown that they just dont have the capability to manage sales and service and expectations properly.

In favour of 2.0 they reduced production and deliveries of Superb, Octavia and Kodiaq and now theyre deleting features citing chipset issue. Well, why not delay a product, and let the other products sell, and then when you have chips launch the other product, why do such a half hearted attempt.

I have a booking for a Superb L&K since September 2021 and after 5-6 emails to Zac Hollis where he himself says his hands are tied and he cant guarantee any delivery I feel its better to buy another car then wait for them to sort this nonsense out. Completely disappointing and terrible management of the entire 2.0 whatever whatever initiative.

Just to add: the dealership tried to convince me to buy a Slavia in place of the Superb booking

[TusharK]

Rumour: VW deletes climate control from Taigun Highline trim

Earlier this week, we had reported how Skoda was no longer offering automatic climate control on the mid-spec Kushaq Ambition. It seems Volkswagen has also been hit by the chip shortage and has decided to remove the feature from the Taigun.



It is said that VW has deleted automatic climate control from the Taigun Highline trim, which doesn't come as a surprise, as the company had followed in the footsteps of its sister brand when it had replaced auto-folding ORVMs with manual ones back in January this year.

Like the Kushaq, the mid-spec variant of the Taigun is expected to get the same basic manual AC module with three rotary controls for the temperature, blower speed and direction.

The move is likely to affect the pricing and customers of the Taigun Highline variant can expect a discount.

Thanks to the Team-BHP fan (he prefers to remain anonymous) who sent this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP share page!

Link to Team-BHP News

[ronford]

I think the product execs at Ford have taken up jobs at SVIPL. I don't understand the logic behind this.

Already the cars are priced at a premium for a 5 seater and then you do this!

[sid3091]

Originally Posted by ronford

Already the cars are priced at a premium for a 5 seater and then you do this!

The 1.0 Style/Topline variants are priced well enough, but the 1.5 desperately needs more equipment to justify shelling out 20+ lacs, and no, the DSG+Engine combo isn't enough