What's Going On in Puebla???

[flypaper89]

So...

I have been roaming the message boards and have noticed in the 21st Century Beetle forum that many people are having a lot of the same issues as those who have ordered GLI's. (looong delays on ordered cars, no communication from dealers, conflicting info, etc.) Both are built in Puebla.

Do you think there is something serious going on at the Puebla plant causing these delays? It is putting a bad taste in a LOT of peoples mouths and is resulting in them deciding on other models over the ones they originally chose out of frustration and anger. Does VWoA not care as long as the customer still buys something? I can only assume that it can do nothing but hurt not only the GLI and Beetle brands but the VW brand as a whole. I know i'm considering canceling my GLI order for a GTI or even something outside of VW altogether.

What do you think?

[clutchrider]

Can't complain. Ordered it mid September. Was give a date the week of December 12th. Was mid ship on November 17th. Dealer called me today car is there and I'm picking it up Monday.

[flypaper89]

You are one of the lucky ones...and i'm jealous. Best of luck with the ride! Take lots of pics!

[clutchrider]

Plenty of pics to come. Sorry to hear about the issues. Seems there is some issue with communication and tracking compared with Germany.

Check with askavwsalesguy.com for Find My VW. He can locate where it is currently. Totally worthwhile. Although my dealer kept me up to date pretty well informing me I was going to get it before December when they gave me my VIN.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.697297,-75.339302

[flypaper89]

I have inquired with Jay over there, but I don't have a commission # or VIN yet, so he can't help me. It's been a month and i'm not in a rush by any means, but it's frustrating to not have any info at all.

[shortybdub]

I had heard that VW was moving certain model production around to allow for ramped up production of other models on the same assembly line. This seemed to be the main reason for the initial output of 1200 GLIs. Production alledgedly resumed for those in early Nov.

[Don Buri]

Is it possible that the March earthquake in Japan disrupted the supply of components for some models? I know that it had an impact on non-Japanese makers for things such a paint colors. Perhaps this may partially explain the lack of availability of Frost Silver?

[AgntCooper]

Can't complain. Ordered it mid September. Was give a date the week of December 12th. Was mid ship on November 17th. Dealer called me today car is there and I'm picking it up Monday.

You're going to hold out an extra three days to pick it up? You're obviously more patient than I am...

[PGJettaFTW]

Siestas and lots of dos equis..... and from what I hear they are leaving maracas in people's door cards and dashes

[dmorrow]

I think it has more to do with the regular Jetta selling far better than they expected. Once that happened the plans for other cars production got screwed up. They would prefer to run all regular Jetta's and sell all of them they can produce. This is probably also more efficient and easy to manage.

I also believe the communication issue is with VW of America to the dealer and then to customer and not from Pueblo to VW of America. It's not like your dealer is talking to the plant in Mexico.

[logansvw2]

Doing a Autotrader serch within 100-200 miles of Chicago there seems to be an overstock of TDIs here in the Midwest and few SEL and GLI.

[alf_ftw]

Siestas and lots of dos equis..... and from what I hear they are leaving maracas in people's door cards and dashes

they dont drink dos equis in mexico, they drink Sol and tecate.

source: im mexicant.

[clutchrider]

You're going to hold out an extra three days to pick it up? You're obviously more patient than I am...

Didn't have a choice I was out of town with the wife's family for Thanksgiving so I had to wait. Picking it up today (see my other post). What a gorgeous car, I've never seen one in grey in person until today.

[RRules]

Siestas and lots of dos equis..... and from what I hear they are leaving maracas in people's door cards and dashes

[MLBChris73]

they dont drink dos equis in mexico, they drink Sol and tecate.

source: im mexicant.

We drink Negra Modelo, Corona and Victoria
source: soy chilango

[PGJettaFTW]

Ughh completely forgot about Tecate and Nerga Modelo! sooo good

[clutchrider]

Don't forget Pacifico

[Like a boss.]

http://youtu.be/7zp1TbLFPp8

[alf_ftw]

We drink Negra Modelo, Corona and Victoria
source: soy chilango

coronitas.

lol@ chilango.

[puebla]

Is it possible that the March earthquake in Japan disrupted the supply of components for some models? I know that it had an impact on non-Japanese makers for things such a paint colors. Perhaps this may partially explain the lack of availability of Frost Silver?

Negative.

[pho]

We drink Negra Modelo, Corona and Victoria
source: soy chilango

Tried ordering a new Jetta TDI, and was told that the wait is @ 5-7 weeks.

[Schickmeister]

Tried ordering a new Jetta TDI, and was told that the wait is @ 5-7 weeks.

I ordered mine the last week of March..was told 6-8 weeks...I DOUBT that will happen.

[pho]

I ordered mine the last week of March..was told 6-8 weeks...I DOUBT that will happen.

Good luck with that.

[B.V]

just so that you guys know how lucky you are, i waited a good 5-6 MONTHS for my Jetta to be delivered to me and that's an average wait from where I come from

[pho]

just so that you guys know how lucky you are, i waited a good 5-6 MONTHS for my Jetta to be delivered to me and that's an average wait from where I come from.

I have been down to the VW factory in Puebla several times.
I wish VW offered a program similar to Euro delivery, but instead of Europe... Argentina, which manufactures VWs, but isn't as dangerous as Mexico, or Brazil.

And, because the vehicles are still assembled on the American continent, the importation tax, per NAFTA, is @ 2/5 of the tax tariff imposed on European build vehicles.

Argentina delivery, anyone?

[mediumbluemetalic]

I think it has more to do with the regular Jetta selling far better than they expected. Once that happened the plans for other cars production got screwed up. They would prefer to run all regular Jetta's and sell all of them they can produce. This is probably also more efficient and easy to manage.

I also believe the communication issue is with VW of America to the dealer and then to customer and not from Pueblo to VW of America. It's not like your dealer is talking to the plant in Mexico.

x2

Volkswagen is now selling more cars in America than it has since the early 70s, back before the original Beetle and the air-cooled gang were killed off. Both the Jetta and Passat have been a surprise sales success, doing better than predicted.

VW is prioritizing production of the standard Jetta at Puebla since dealerships are having a hard time keeping the cars on their lots; niche models like the Beetle and GLI which don't sell in huge volumes are less of a priority, thus there's some waiting involved. I would have to imagine that Honda has similar issues with their Si-4-door.

So no, there is nothing bad going on at the Puebla plant causing these delays. Rather, something good (for VW) is causing them. Is it is putting a bad taste in a LOT of peoples mouths? Idk. I was under the impression that most people know that when you special-order something, you have to wait longer to get it. I would say that 99% of people who order a car aren't going to cancel their order and go with something else; if they were in a hurry to begin with, they would have searched existing inventory and had their choice model shipped from another dealership. The company isn't building customers a made-to-order sandwich, nor are they doing print-on-demand book publishing; they're building cars, and cars take time.

I doubt that you'll have any better luck special ordering a GTI, especially since production is likely in the process of being phased out, seeing as the GTI VII should start production and go on sale in Europe within 8-10 months. If you want something fast, you'll have to find an already-built GLI or GTI that can be trucked to your dealership. If you want something that was built especially for you, then sit back and relax. I'd give you the same advice for special ordering from any other company, too. If you special order from another brand, and your car arrives quickly, then I would bet 100% that your car was already built and sitting on a lot somewhere already when you placed your order (aka NOT special, lolz).

[Schickmeister]

x2

Volkswagen is now selling more cars in America than it has since the early 70s, back before the original Beetle and the air-cooled gang were killed off. Both the Jetta and Passat have been a surprise sales success, doing better than predicted.

VW is prioritizing production of the standard Jetta at Puebla since dealerships are having a hard time keeping the cars on their lots; niche models like the Beetle and GLI which don't sell in huge volumes are less of a priority, thus there's some waiting involved. I would have to imagine that Honda has similar issues with their Si-4-door.

So no, there is nothing bad going on at the Puebla plant causing these delays. Rather, something good (for VW) is causing them. Is it is putting a bad taste in a LOT of peoples mouths? Idk. I was under the impression that most people know that when you special-order something, you have to wait longer to get it. I would say that 99% of people who order a car aren't going to cancel their order and go with something else; if they were in a hurry to begin with, they would have searched existing inventory and had their choice model shipped from another dealership. The company isn't building customers a made-to-order sandwich, nor are they doing print-on-demand book publishing; they're building cars, and cars take time.

I doubt that you'll have any better luck special ordering a GTI, especially since production is likely in the process of being phased out, seeing as the GTI VII should start production and go on sale in Europe within 8-10 months. If you want something fast, you'll have to find an already-built GLI or GTI that can be trucked to your dealership. If you want something that was built especially for you, then sit back and relax. I'd give you the same advice for special ordering from any other company, too. If you special order from another brand, and your car arrives quickly, then I would bet 100% that your car was already built and sitting on a lot somewhere already when you placed your order (aka NOT special, lolz).

Awesome...then don't tell me 6-8 weeks with a smile.

[pho]

I ordered mine the last week of March..was told 6-8 weeks...I DOUBT that will happen.

Awesome...then don't tell me 6-8 weeks with a smile.

Although unfortunate, waiting (6-8) weeks for a special ordered vehicle, is the norm.

[Schickmeister]

Although unfortunate, waiting (6-8) weeks for a special ordered vehicle, is the norm.

No I totally understand that. But based on some dates I've received from VW...the total time is going to be 15-16 weeks. As it stand right now about 6 1/2 weeks in, I don't even know if the car has been built yet.

6-8 weeks is totally fine. And honestly, so is 16 weeks if you tell me that up front and I can plan, but don't tell me 8 and then have it be 16. That's my issue.

[Rawcpoppa]

No I totally understand that. But based on some dates I've received from VW...the total time is going to be 15-16 weeks. As it stand right now about 6 1/2 weeks in, I don't even know if the car has been built yet.

6-8 weeks is totally fine. And honestly, so is 16 weeks if you tell me that up front and I can plan, but don't tell me 8 and then have it be 16. That's my issue.

Try this on for size:
I placed downpayment October 1st 2011 at dealer. Told delivery by end of December 2011. Asked dealer for VIN in November 2011. Told that vehicle not built yet . Contacted dealer in December to find out vehicle not built yet . Vehicle built in January 2012. Jetta shipped to Germany for inspection and distribution to Euro spec Jetta importers (basically dealers around the world who order Euro spec Jettas). Jetta delivered by Hoegh Autoliner shipping vessel called the "Maputo" to Trinidad and Tobago 24th arch 2012! I accepted delivery 23 April 2012

SEVEN MONTHS! All because I ordered a tempest blue metallic Jetta that the dealer hadn't pre ordered. The building of my Jetta was most likely pushed back as allocations for the Caribbean are delayed at whim to build Jettas for North America. Very frustrating experience all the while the dealer says words like "soon", "end of the month", "will contact you when we get updated info".

[pho]

We drink Negra Modelo, Corona and Victoria.

Gimme NEGRA MODELO, I can drink that all day.