'08 options availability

[Joe Gillis]

Proceeding with ordering an '08 V8 Treg to replace our faithful and relatively trouble-free '04 and have discovered that some features available on the '04 are now only available on the V10: heated steering wheel and powered steering-wheel-and-column adjust. Those are the two we discovered. There may be others.
This could well be a naive question, or maybe I'm just venting, but can anyone suggest a good reason why features available on one model shouldn't be available on another, as long as you're willing to pay? Or why Adaptive Cruise Control, available on European models, isn't available at all in the US? I asked our excellent rep at the dealership if he could put this question to VWOA, and he smiled and said "I could, but they wouldn't have an answer for me." Anyone else care to offer a theory/explanation/conjecture?

[irok]

VW has not figured it out yet. They think they have to remove great features and charge the same for their product to make money. They still have the Jetta mentality. Instead of charging more for features they seem to just remove them without notifying anyone of these decsions. Stuff lilke the rear window shades for 07 they are gone, TPMS in the 07 gone, the brake wire harness under the drivers dash gone! They already have these features and instead of just removing them at least give the customer the option of purchasing them. Idiots!!

[Vegas Matt]

My first theory: Cost

If they cut features of a vehicle, but keep the price and material/component cost the same, they are making more money. If they are not repeat customers, they do not notice the de-contenting, and VW makes more money. The fly in the ointment is us owners in-the-know, that know what VW is taking out of the vehicles. But, if they have, lets say, 5000 repeat customers, and 15,000 new buyers, they are catering to the bigger crowd.

While I agree that certain options should be available across the whole line when ordering a vehicle, I can see why they would be left off of stock vehicles on a dealers lot. They may push the price of a vehicle up and deter people from buying it, whereas a lower sticker price may appeal to more potential purchasers.

My second theory: Competition within the family.

Let's say you are Audi or Porsche, selling a twin to the Touareg, at a more premium price level. You wouldn't want the lower priced vehicle having the same features, since it could cut into your exclusivity and, possibly, your sales, if people can get a similarly equipped vehicle for thousands less tha what they want to charge. So, you keep some options exclusive to the higher margin (more costly) vehicles.

Me, personally, I think it's a combination of these two.

These are just my theories, your mileage and results may vary!

Matt

[nickm]

I get the cost argument but here is what I don't get...I paid for a "towing package", which most people would assume includes the obvious hitch + electrical parts. It came with the hitch but I had to purchase the 7 pin connector after the fact and run wires for the brake controller. This makes no sense..the package was $1400CDN so its not like I didn't pay for it.

Its not like this is a vehicle built to a competetive price point..they are charging a premium price for it, if it was at a price point where $500 might sway someone from buying it then again I get it..but not really the case here

Another weird thing is the regional differences ie: my '07 Touareg has the heated steering wheel and rear sunshades, but no aux connector in the center console.....I get that US and Canadian models are built to slightly different specs but it seems odd that they would bother to change steering wheels / omit wiring considering they are essentially being delivered to a similar market.

I feel better after than vent, I love my reg.......

[DesertT-REG]

Originally Posted by Vegas Matt

My second theory: Competition within the family.

Let's say you are Audi or Porsche, selling a twin to the Touareg, at a more premium price level. You wouldn't want the lower priced vehicle having the same features, since it could cut into your exclusivity and, possibly, your sales, if people can get a similarly equipped vehicle for thousands less tha what they want to charge. So, you keep some options exclusive to the higher margin (more costly) vehicles.

Matt

I think Matt hit the nail on the head. If you want all the bells and whistles. The high tech package, the super dupor nav system. The super plush interior etc. They want you to go to Audi. If you want name recognition, Sport handling and go fast you go with the Porsche.

VW is looked at by most people as bare bones cost savings. So VW will give us just enough to get us to go look and try their product.

I was ready to buy an Audi Allroad when I went and looked at the Touareg. I just couldnt pass on the deal VW gave me. I have not looked back as I have had ZERO problems with my REG.