VW Sales Crash Nearly 20%

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Volkswagen’s sales have plummeted by almost 20 per cent following its controversial recall of nearly 26,000 cars.

Andrew McKellar, executive director of the Australian Automobile Association, said motorists “have voted with their feet”.

“Volkswagen paid a price for the way in which they handled the recall issue and the fact that they didn’t come out and deal with that issue... in an open, honest and more transparent way.”

“It’s a reminder to all vehicle builders that they need to be open and honest with their customers.
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“If they try to handle these issues with corporate spin the market will judge them very harshly.”

According to official sales figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the brand sold 1226 fewer cars compared with the same period last year, a 19 per cent drop.

In contrast, the Australian car market as a whole was up by 5.5 per cent.

The figures showed Volkswagen’s Golf and Jetta models were hit the hardest, with drops of more than 50 per cent.

Dr Paul Harrison, senior lecturer in branding and marketing at Deakin university said the drop was “massive”, but did not come as a surprise.

“The issue is about perception,” he said.

“It will take quite a while for people to regain that sense of trust, you can’t just paper over it.”

Volkswagen recalled thousands of its Golf, Jetta, Polo and Passat models amid customer complaints surrounding safety and reliability.

The brand’s Australian arm had resisted calls to fix its cars despite Volkswagen issuing widespread recalls in China, Japan and Singapore.

Consumer complaints were sparked by a Victorian coronial inquest into the death of Melissa Ryan, who died in a collision while driving her Volkswagen on the Monash freeway.

A Volkswagen spokesman said the brand has “noticed a drop in Volkswagen passenger vehicle sales for June” but said commercial vehicles sales were strong.

The Toyota Hilux was the best selling car in June, followed by the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30 and Mitsubishi Triton.

Toyota remains on top in the sales race, ahead of Holden, Hyundai, Ford and Mazda.
http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...703-2pbye.html
My comment : maybe car makers will go back to proven auto transmissions????