VW ID.4's Slow Start In China Blamed On Staff's Rigid Dress Code
VW sales staff in China dress more conservatively compared to Tesla and Nio salespeople, and that is a turn-off for some buyers.
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Slow ID.4 sales in China blamed on dress code?
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Interesting. My wife always prefers dealers with better dressed staff, although she would often say particularly of Lexus "they have nicer suits but otherwise no better than anywhere else." But then we're now on the far end of the demographic. 
VW ID.4's Slow Start In China Blamed On Staff's Rigid Dress Code
VW sales staff in China dress more conservatively compared to Tesla and Nio salespeople, and that is a turn-off for some buyers.
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I Personally prefer mechanic or shop foreman when buying a car .....my questions are quite difficult for ordinary sales people...so work shop clothing is sufficient for me....
There are people who buy cars by the look and how it is refined inside....on other side me....im interested more in power plant.....suspension.....how it looks when is lifted under the car.
And just by looking under the car when is lifted it will give you good idea how well is made or how much they tried cutting corners to save ...you don't need mechanical engineering degree to figure out yourself.
So taking a lady that looks only for dress code or how well car looks will cost you more once warranty is over.
There are people who buy cars by the look and how it is refined inside....on other side me....im interested more in power plant.....suspension.....how it looks when is lifted under the car.
And just by looking under the car when is lifted it will give you good idea how well is made or how much they tried cutting corners to save ...you don't need mechanical engineering degree to figure out yourself.
So taking a lady that looks only for dress code or how well car looks will cost you more once warranty is over.
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So I'm not supposed to bring my wife when buying her new car? Nor allow her to buy a Lexus because she prefers the looks (and admittedly badge) over a Camry? I wish I had known!!
[I know, just teasing].
My wife is well out of warranty and does indeed cost me more. But I gladly pay for peace and harmony.
[I know, just teasing].
My wife is well out of warranty and does indeed cost me more. But I gladly pay for peace and harmony.
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6,576 Posts
It has nothing to do with dress code. VW targeted regular ICE SUVs as iD4 potential buyer. Then priced the car such that the initial cost is higher but with incentives and running costs it will end up being even or slightly lower cost. This strategy was wrong, they should have started with the highest performance model as a premium exciting car and then captured the lower end of the market when the car image is set as a premium product. Typical Toyota or Honda SUV buyer is very conservative. They won't jump on a product with unproven reliability that may save them money 4 years down the road. The car is simply too expensive for a mainstream car. It is a good value as a premium car. So they should have marketed as a premium car with better performance. People should want the car because it is fast, drives well, technology is eye catching, etc. Penny pinchers will not drop luxury car money on a VW.
I doubt VW could have gotten away with that. VW is the highest selling car brand in China. They sell legit "luxury" cars there under the VW badge (Phiedon) and I don't think they could march the ID.4 into showrooms and priced it as something it isn't, even if it had the dual-motor option and all the bells and whistles available in Europe. There's no hiding the fact that the software is incomplete. Chinese consumers are astute and know a good value. Not to mention that VW set themselves up to manufacture the ID.4 in bulk and was counting on taking advantage of a perceived hole in the EV market for an affordably-priced from a their well-regarded brand. I think they had everything in place to swoop in and flood the market with ID.4s and their software bit them in the ass, as many reports cite that tech features are more important to car buyers there compared to here. And maybe a good percentage of Chinese car buyers need to be persuaded to go electric. Sounds familiar!
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