European Delivery Program Officially Cancelled
#11
AudiWorld Member
I bet next I'm going to get a phone call saying they're no longer bringing the TTRS to NA as well...
#12
AudiWorld Senior Member
Audi seems to sure know how to kick sand in the face of it's customs. There have been so many delays, port holds, safety stop-sales, order restrictions, equipment requirements, forced colors, trim exclusions, allocation changes and delivery ETA extensions it's just infuriating to think that they feel this is a smart move to build brand loyalty. My lease is up in 9 months, and I was considering a ED with an Exclusive interior order. I guess since sales are up every month they don't need to try hard, just stay the status quo. Enthusiasts don't want to by black on black premium plus cars that seem to make up 90% of dealership inventory. Our only choice was to order. Now another option is taken away. Audi better watch it's back, because other competitors are stepping up their game as Audi seems to back it down. Volvo seems to come to mind quickly with their killer ED program.
#13
AudiWorld Super User
Audi seems to sure know how to kick sand in the face of it's customs. There have been so many delays, port holds, safety stop-sales, order restrictions, equipment requirements, forced colors, trim exclusions, allocation changes and delivery ETA extensions it's just infuriating to think that they feel this is a smart move to build brand loyalty. My lease is up in 9 months, and I was considering a ED with an Exclusive interior order. I guess since sales are up every month they don't need to try hard, just stay the status quo. Enthusiasts don't want to by black on black premium plus cars that seem to make up 90% of dealership inventory. Our only choice was to order. Now another option is taken away. Audi better watch it's back, because other competitors are stepping up their game as Audi seems to back it down. Volvo seems to come to mind quickly with their killer ED program.
#14
AudiWorld Senior Member
Fast forward....and now I'm 9 months out on my lease turn-in. What do I get now? TT RS perhaps? Oh wait, that product is on "hold" for probably an entire model year. I always imagined the new RS5 could be awesome, but now it's here and the local dealership has one for over $90,000 and 90% of the car is the same as a $45,000 A5. No innovated interior materials (I hope you like carbon fiber and black leather!!!) and such subtle changes I have to do a double take to decipher it its an A5, S5, or RS5. Weird option packages designed to make you drop major cash to get 1 feature you actually want. The car is fast, but it's not special, not to command these prices. A $70,000 S4 just seems like way too much for what you get.
The A6/A7/A8 have some pretty awesome interior updates, but the exterior is pretty reserved. The pricing sure is escalating so quickly that' I'm not seeing the value proposition here personally, and just wait till we see the price tag of the S model of those cars.... And S7 could work maybe but...that's a year out and likely will cary a silly price tag.
The only car I can see myself in is a CPO R8 at this point. It is literally the only Audi I find worth spending my hard earned money on. That's just shocking to me, because 3 years ago I was all aboard the the Audi Fan Train. Heck, a CPO 911 looks like a banging deal opposed to a new Audi. Now it's just a slew of electric SUVs in the future we are to get excited about?!?! The Q8 or Q3 is supposed to make us salivate? Audi totally misread the market for enthusiast in my view. Kill the manuals, make the S line cars so prevalent they no longer are special, and water down the RS and jack up the price!
I was so pumped to do an Exclusive interior on a fast Audi with European Delivery. Mercedes Benz sure has my attention now. Heck, even the latest Volvo offerings seem more interesting than what Audi has on the horizon. Who saw that coming?!?!
#15
AudiWorld Member
I hope you're joking, another hold? I'm expecting the worst as we approach 2019... But at the same time, they're one straw away from breaking the camel's back for me and making my decision much easier. If they tell me there are no more exclusive color options it's going to feel like a personal vendetta.
#16
AudiWorld Super User
Yeah, I'm getting a bad feeling, too. I understand enthusaits don't make up the bulk of sales, but they are important to have. I was so pumped to be in my first Audi ever, a 2016 Audi TT custom-ordered with the Audi Design Selection interior. It just looked so freaking awesome in design, it's gets looks everywhere I go and attracts so much attention on track day events.
Fast forward....and now I'm 9 months out on my lease turn-in. What do I get now? TT RS perhaps? Oh wait, that product is on "hold" for probably an entire model year. I always imagined the new RS5 could be awesome, but now it's here and the local dealership has one for over $90,000 and 90% of the car is the same as a $45,000 A5. No innovated interior materials (I hope you like carbon fiber and black leather!!!) and such subtle changes I have to do a double take to decipher it its an A5, S5, or RS5. Weird option packages designed to make you drop major cash to get 1 feature you actually want. The car is fast, but it's not special, not to command these prices. A $70,000 S4 just seems like way too much for what you get.
The A6/A7/A8 have some pretty awesome interior updates, but the exterior is pretty reserved. The pricing sure is escalating so quickly that' I'm not seeing the value proposition here personally, and just wait till we see the price tag of the S model of those cars.... And S7 could work maybe but...that's a year out and likely will cary a silly price tag.
The only car I can see myself in is a CPO R8 at this point. It is literally the only Audi I find worth spending my hard earned money on. That's just shocking to me, because 3 years ago I was all aboard the the Audi Fan Train. Heck, a CPO 911 looks like a banging deal opposed to a new Audi. Now it's just a slew of electric SUVs in the future we are to get excited about?!?! The Q8 or Q3 is supposed to make us salivate? Audi totally misread the market for enthusiast in my view. Kill the manuals, make the S line cars so prevalent they no longer are special, and water down the RS and jack up the price!
I was so pumped to do an Exclusive interior on a fast Audi with European Delivery. Mercedes Benz sure has my attention now. Heck, even the latest Volvo offerings seem more interesting than what Audi has on the horizon. Who saw that coming?!?!
Fast forward....and now I'm 9 months out on my lease turn-in. What do I get now? TT RS perhaps? Oh wait, that product is on "hold" for probably an entire model year. I always imagined the new RS5 could be awesome, but now it's here and the local dealership has one for over $90,000 and 90% of the car is the same as a $45,000 A5. No innovated interior materials (I hope you like carbon fiber and black leather!!!) and such subtle changes I have to do a double take to decipher it its an A5, S5, or RS5. Weird option packages designed to make you drop major cash to get 1 feature you actually want. The car is fast, but it's not special, not to command these prices. A $70,000 S4 just seems like way too much for what you get.
The A6/A7/A8 have some pretty awesome interior updates, but the exterior is pretty reserved. The pricing sure is escalating so quickly that' I'm not seeing the value proposition here personally, and just wait till we see the price tag of the S model of those cars.... And S7 could work maybe but...that's a year out and likely will cary a silly price tag.
The only car I can see myself in is a CPO R8 at this point. It is literally the only Audi I find worth spending my hard earned money on. That's just shocking to me, because 3 years ago I was all aboard the the Audi Fan Train. Heck, a CPO 911 looks like a banging deal opposed to a new Audi. Now it's just a slew of electric SUVs in the future we are to get excited about?!?! The Q8 or Q3 is supposed to make us salivate? Audi totally misread the market for enthusiast in my view. Kill the manuals, make the S line cars so prevalent they no longer are special, and water down the RS and jack up the price!
I was so pumped to do an Exclusive interior on a fast Audi with European Delivery. Mercedes Benz sure has my attention now. Heck, even the latest Volvo offerings seem more interesting than what Audi has on the horizon. Who saw that coming?!?!
Last edited by superswiss; 09-05-2018 at 09:35 AM.
#17
AudiWorld Senior Member
I've started the process of looking into a R8 lease, or possible leasing a used R8 than has 5,000 miles on it. This would be my only car, my daily driver. After the Audi Drive Experience I just feel the need to own this car and the last normally aspirated V10. The R8 pushes all my buttons...but at a price that's making me questions if one should spend this much money on a car even if you can... I love my TT to death, but the residual buyout is far above it's value so even the option to buy at lease end is ruined by Audi because of no price negotiation. It's such a let down to feel that between the TT and R8 there isn't any "in-between" car that I want to own. I don't buy cars because they are nice or I like it. I buy cars because they make me stare out the window at if after parking and when I drive the car it's the hi light of my day. I can't believe Audi's least and most expensive coups are the only things that do that for me. I don't know what I'm going to do in 9 months.... Glad I'm not alone in feeling this way.
#18
AudiWorld Super User
I've started the process of looking into a R8 lease, or possible leasing a used R8 than has 5,000 miles on it. This would be my only car, my daily driver. After the Audi Drive Experience I just feel the need to own this car and the last normally aspirated V10. The R8 pushes all my buttons...but at a price that's making me questions if one should spend this much money on a car even if you can... I love my TT to death, but the residual buyout is far above it's value so even the option to buy at lease end is ruined by Audi because of no price negotiation. It's such a let down to feel that between the TT and R8 there isn't any "in-between" car that I want to own. I don't buy cars because they are nice or I like it. I buy cars because they make me stare out the window at if after parking and when I drive the car it's the hi light of my day. I can't believe Audi's least and most expensive coups are the only things that do that for me. I don't know what I'm going to do in 9 months.... Glad I'm not alone in feeling this way.
I really really like AMGs approach to this segment. I've never owned a Mercedes before and I'm starting to regret it. But they put the same V8TT into the top AMG models starting with the C63. Just at different tune levels and there is a form factor for everyone. Sedans, Coupes and even Wagons. Find the AMG GT-R a bit too much, but want the same DNA including 9 stage traction control with more practicality, well there is the C63. Want a bit more pep there is the C63 S. Prefer looks and form over function there's the coupe. Want 4 doors, there's the sedan. Want to race around with your dog in tow, there's the wagon. Not good enough? Get the GLC 63 if you want a "super" SUV. Audi has nothing to match that. There's been one RS Q so far, but it's been lackluster and not even sold here. The RS5 gets a drivetrain that's so far removed from the R8 that it's something completely different. The last RS5 had an engine with the same DNA as the R8. It was in fact based on the same V10. High revving and all. It was essentially an R8 in a GT body. A big reason why I bought it. I feel the same about the C63 Coupe. It's essentially an AMG GT-R in a more usable and practical body. It's not as good on the track as the GT-R, but I drive these things on public roads most of the time anyway and get my fun in the canyons on the weekends.
Oh well, nothing we can do about it other than voting with our wallets and take our business elsewhere. Cancelling ED on top of all this is just icing on the cake and completes the general lackluster picture of the brand lately.
Last edited by superswiss; 09-05-2018 at 02:05 PM.
#19
AudiWorld Member
This is where I'm at, though I worry that it'll just reinforce their decision to make appliances from now on.
#20
[QUOTE]The reasons for the cancellation provided in the dealer communication by Audi of America seem to site globalization of production as the downfall of the current program. With offerings such as Q5 produced in Mexico, and others like the new Q8 being produced in Bratislava, Slovakia alongside the brand’s popular Q7 model, much of the brand’s top sellers would have to be transported first to delivery centers in order to be delivered to their new owners. Given the European Delivery Program Audi models were already sold at a discount, we’re guessing this proved a less than profitable venture for Audi of America. Add to that the potential of looming tariffs on German automobiles and the program was certainly challenged by these market factors./QUOTE]
We are looking forward to our 3rd ED with much anticipation in 2020 and were thinking about a nice individual paint on a Q3/Q4 RS. These are fantastic times to be a car buyer - Hybirds, EV's, hot IC's. This is a lame excuse on the part of Audi/Audi of America. OK for sure less hassle for the US dealers and a few less bucks spent on vehicle logistics. However, Audi will continue to deliver vehicles to those in Europe at Ingolstadt (loved those chocolate Audi ringed cappuccinos). Those vehicles will continue to be transported from various manufacturing plants & countries outside of Germany. While BMW & MB do not permit ED for vehicle manufactured exclusively outside of Europe. I could understand that tactic being taken by Audi. VAG lost a good pile of money on Dieselgate. We personally profited from dieselgate on my wife's Ingolstadt delivered Q5 TDI. I have alternatives to explore, hopefully Porsche (new MQB platform Macan), BMW (X2 M40), & MB (AMG GLA) don't follow similar suits with their ED programs. The BMW Welt is a great place (ED#1) looking forward to a repeat, maybe Stuttgart, Zuffenhausen or Leipzig. So for now auf wiedersehen Audi (maybe VAG) - hoping you decide to restructure and restart the program sooner than later.
We are looking forward to our 3rd ED with much anticipation in 2020 and were thinking about a nice individual paint on a Q3/Q4 RS. These are fantastic times to be a car buyer - Hybirds, EV's, hot IC's. This is a lame excuse on the part of Audi/Audi of America. OK for sure less hassle for the US dealers and a few less bucks spent on vehicle logistics. However, Audi will continue to deliver vehicles to those in Europe at Ingolstadt (loved those chocolate Audi ringed cappuccinos). Those vehicles will continue to be transported from various manufacturing plants & countries outside of Germany. While BMW & MB do not permit ED for vehicle manufactured exclusively outside of Europe. I could understand that tactic being taken by Audi. VAG lost a good pile of money on Dieselgate. We personally profited from dieselgate on my wife's Ingolstadt delivered Q5 TDI. I have alternatives to explore, hopefully Porsche (new MQB platform Macan), BMW (X2 M40), & MB (AMG GLA) don't follow similar suits with their ED programs. The BMW Welt is a great place (ED#1) looking forward to a repeat, maybe Stuttgart, Zuffenhausen or Leipzig. So for now auf wiedersehen Audi (maybe VAG) - hoping you decide to restructure and restart the program sooner than later.