Kudos for asking the pick up truck question 😂 interview was great, honest content means you immediately realise this isn't a promoted salesy pitch filled with words from the marketing department haha. More of this please!
I think they will do well, targeting a younger audience, not brand loyal, but appreciate cars that drive well, and offer a difference enough of a uniqueness 👍
Wasn't Larry Emdur flogging Seat's back in the Price Is Right days? Should wheel the old bugger out for the Cupra launch! And have a giveaway incorporating that cheesy yodeling mountain climbing game! PS Great interview Tom, this channel has come a long way!
I don’t get why Cupra introduced their ICE versions first, instead of going full EV… The Cupra Born is a fantastic car. In a time where ICE brands have disappeared and failed. Remember Opel. Marketing fail 101…
Limited Production capacity. Their ICE platform is what they can manufacture in adequate numbers to satisfy the market. The Cupra Born will be a unicorn car where Demand far outstrips Supply. You do not want to disappoint the market, bad way to launch.
A family member recently bought a Cupra and it made me look closer at them, with a view to possibly buying a Born. The thing that made me pause was the three or five year service package. Not because it was expensive but because they were charging the same service price for a fully electric car as a mid sized petrol powered SUV. Spooky how they managed to work out that an EV and a medium ICE SUV need exactly the same maintenance down the last cent. I thought one of the selling points of an EV was that they are cheaper to maintain.
A great first question to the chap with the most Australian sounding name who isn't Australian. As for Cupra ( SKODA with added spice ) I wish them well, I really like the look of the product ( I'm shallow ) but cautious too, that Peugeot/Renault/Citroen still somehow tread water and its only just of last 2 years that SKODA have got up and running after a long initiation and lets not forget OPEL's attempt. Will it be as simple that these sporty, good looking ( to my wonky eyes ) products is a the key to initial success ?
I was keen to buy VZx Formentor but considering that Cupra managed to secure 7 partner service centres from Melbourne to Brisbane is just not enough proof that the after sale service will be great. I am super surprised that VW or Audi are not in the partnership with Cupra as a service partner. That was a deal breaker for me.
I am highly sceptical about any car being launched under VW group. The sucess doesn't only depend on the car but also on key aspects such as marketing, cost of service and most importantly, good genuine customer service. VW lacks good customer service and most people have experienced sheer arrogance first hand, let alone me, at their dealerships. No wonder, Japanese and Korean car manufacturers have the largest share of car sales in Australia.
Scion did very well. Coupra could do that for VW in the US. VW doesn’t sell so well because people don’t trust the brand here…so it has that to overcome. Scions parent company was known for incredible reliability and value. That sold scion as a new pill. VW must achieve that same reputation first.
I own a Cupra Leon Sportstourer hybrid from 2021 and love it (quick enough and energy-efficient). But especially now with the crazy gas prices I would move into a fully electric station wagon instantly. Would love to see them make a fully electric wagon, we love our wagons here in Holland ;-)!
I think Cupra are off to a good start with lots of interest shown and initial orders encouraging. As long as they can keep supply going and soon establish their showrooms which are planned for nearly all capital cities. The fact that all models are based on VW platforms is a good selling point with potential customers not worrying about a brand new untested model.
Great interview Tom and great to see they’re seriously utilising our market for their products - I’m old school and think the Cupra Leon 300 series is the best hot hatch in the VAG range however see attraction also in their EV and hybrid range in our market as our market moves away from the big US manufacturers - I’m honestly reeling from Ford Aus cutting ST range here and last right hand drive Megane makes me look elsewhere for a hot hatch
It's good to see that Volkswagen is putting more emphasis on Australia, and I hope they can eventually realise the status and their troubles in China. However, it's not too late to repent.
My daily driver is a VW, feel they have totally neglected aussie land over the last four years. I assume cupra has it’s eye on really fat margins driven by slick marketing and sucked up by those with fomo…. it’s polestar for my next daily…
I truly feel Cupra will not succeed in the Australian market as its hard to market a Spanish car manufacturer to Australians.When the average Australian think of 'Spanish' they think of Mexico,tacos & narco..not quality manufacturing.This contributed to SEAT's original failure in the Australian market
