Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service

RobClubley · 03-09-2007, 01:45

Just heard about this - cool marketing gimmick I think.

Aucklanders can now navigate the central city in unprecedented luxury when they hail a Škoda and are driven – at no charge – to their city destination.

One of Volkswagen’s leading brands and a European award winner for its design, engineering and customer satisfaction, Škoda is using the three-month ‘Free Fare’ campaign – running from March to May – to spearhead a new era for the make in New Zealand. A number of Škodas are strategically positioned around the CBD for commuters who need a quick ride.

The Free Fare Škoda campaign is all about hands-on experience. TV and magazine advertising might get your attention. But to really appreciate Škoda’s award-winning design and performance, you have to get inside.

Each driver has extensive knowledge of the Škoda, and will answer all passengers’ questions about why they should consider owning one. Once exposed to the car, most people are surprised at the enormous value for money offered by Škoda – so this is a great way to get Škoda noticed. What better way to have a break from the office, or seek respite from Auckland’s notoriously changeable autumn weather, than to be taken for a quick spin around town?

It's time to hail a free Skoda

johnjohnhealy · 03-09-2007, 05:29

Bet the local cabbies love that.

If they tried it here, Skoda would lose nearly 70% of there sales, as the remaining cabbies who are still prepared to buy Skodas would tell em where to go!

mluton · 03-09-2007, 08:40

Nice way of promoting. Great Idea.

DavidY · 03-09-2007, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjohnhealy

Bet the local cabbies love that.

I did wonder if Skoda might be using local cabbies as drivers though? Who else would know how to get from A-B?

bengie · 03-09-2007, 09:32

great advertising idea

johnjohnhealy · 04-09-2007, 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidY

I did wonder if Skoda might be using local cabbies as drivers though? Who else would know how to get from A-B?

I would imagine so, probably very limited hours of work too.

vRSLen · 04-09-2007, 20:31

Would have thought the ride would be a bit harsh for the average passenger.....

johnjohnhealy · 05-09-2007, 05:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by vRSLen

Would have thought the ride would be a bit harsh for the average passenger.....

It's funny, most people prefer the ride of a car with sports suspension, my passengers always comment on how well the Mondeo ST rides.

I think it's to do with the lack of body roll when cornering, stiffer suspension obviously means there's less roll so they dont generaly notice how fast your going round corners!

(unless I get really silly, then they go sliding across the leather!

)

Dr Zoidberg · 05-09-2007, 07:14

And the roads in New Zealand are good

vRSLen · 05-09-2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjohnhealy

It's funny, most people prefer the ride of a car with sports suspension, my passengers always comment on how well the Mondeo ST rides.

I think it's to do with the lack of body roll when cornering, stiffer suspension obviously means there's less roll so they dont generaly notice how fast your going round corners!

(unless I get really silly, then they go sliding across the leather!

)

Nice one

Bob_S · 07-09-2007, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Zoidberg

And the roads in New Zealand are good

They certainly are on the South Island! I did a 2 week tour by motorcycle last November clocking up 1800 miles and they were a dream. Twisty, wonderful scenary and hardly any traffic, it was heaven!

jlwah · 07-09-2007, 14:37

It's interesting to note the different standard equipment fitted to the vRS in NZ.

The only options available are sunroof, heated front seats, hill hold control, silver roof rails (estate only), sun safe glass (whatever that is) and sunset glass (estate only).

Everything else is standard including in-dash 6 CD (Audience), front/rear parking sensors, xenons, maxi-dot, sensing wipers, cruise, 18" wheels, Jumbo box, and metallic paint, etc., etc.

List prices range from £16161.28 for 2.0TFSi hatch to £17692.67 for Diesel Estate - that's not fair!!

RobClubley · 07-09-2007, 20:28

I still can't afford one

dstev2000 · 07-09-2007, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlwah

It's interesting to note the different standard equipment fitted to the vRS in NZ.

The only options available are sunroof, heated from seats, hill hold control, silver roof rails (estate only), sun safe glass (whatever that is) and sunset glass (estate only).

Everything else is standard including in-dash 6 CD (Audience), front/rear parking sensors, xenons, maxi-dot, sensing wipers, cruise, 18" wheels, Jumbo box, and metallic paint, etc., etc.

List prices range from £16161.28 for 2.0TFSi hatch to £17692.67 for Diesel Estate - that's not fair!!

Er..................

Welcome to Rip Off Britain

Want to feel even more cheesed off? check out the French Octavia Specs Škoda France

Colour sat nav standard on the L&K

jlwah · 07-09-2007, 20:57

Quote:

Er..................

Welcome to Rip Off Britain

Want to feel even more cheesed off? check out the French Octavia Specs Škoda France

Colour sat nav standard on the L&K

There's less standard equipment on the French specs, but base price is similar.

I guess Skoda are trying to establish themselves in NZ partly by offering some really cheap deals (and they're right hand drive cars too!)

RobClubley · 10-09-2007, 01:03

Yep - Skoda are still struggling here against the old reputation. I'm seeing a lot more around now the Mk2 is out.

03-09-2007, 01:45	#1
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,048 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service Just heard about this - cool marketing gimmick I think. Aucklanders can now navigate the central city in unprecedented luxury when they hail a Škoda and are driven – at no charge – to their city destination. One of Volkswagen’s leading brands and a European award winner for its design, engineering and customer satisfaction, Škoda is using the three-month ‘Free Fare’ campaign – running from March to May – to spearhead a new era for the make in New Zealand. A number of Škodas are strategically positioned around the CBD for commuters who need a quick ride. The Free Fare Škoda campaign is all about hands-on experience. TV and magazine advertising might get your attention. But to really appreciate Škoda’s award-winning design and performance, you have to get inside. Each driver has extensive knowledge of the Škoda, and will answer all passengers’ questions about why they should consider owning one. Once exposed to the car, most people are surprised at the enormous value for money offered by Škoda – so this is a great way to get Škoda noticed. What better way to have a break from the office, or seek respite from Auckland’s notoriously changeable autumn weather, than to be taken for a quick spin around town? It's time to hail a free Skoda __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

03-09-2007, 05:29	#2
johnjohnhealy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK south east Posts: 2,428 Members Car: Superb 130pd Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service Bet the local cabbies love that. If they tried it here, Skoda would lose nearly 70% of there sales, as the remaining cabbies who are still prepared to buy Skodas would tell em where to go!

03-09-2007, 08:40	#3
mluton Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Birmingham Posts: 6,402 Members Car: Red Octavia vRS 1.8T (20v) Thanks: 46 Thanked 227 Times in 202 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service Nice way of promoting. Great Idea. __________________ Support Briskoda----------------------> Red Skoda Octavia V//RS Mods to date: Carbonio CAI Forge 007 DV Aero Wipers Briskoda Stickers KVW100 GB Wheel Inserts RS Tuning Remap Delocked Piper Cat Back Kenwood KDC-W6541U Fli Twin 12" Active Sub Parrot CK3100 *------------------------------------------------*

03-09-2007, 09:32	#5
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 15,256 Members Car: 4x4 turbo estate Thanks: 17 Thanked 144 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service great advertising idea __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

04-09-2007, 20:31	#7
vRSLen King Rat Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 5,459 Members Car: MK11 Octavia vRS Thanks: 169 Thanked 200 Times in 145 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service Would have thought the ride would be a bit harsh for the average passenger..... __________________ Current car: Black MKII Octavia vRS Combi Previous: Black MKI Octavia vRS Combi Black Fabia Elegance 100 BHP

05-09-2007, 07:14	#9
Dr Zoidberg Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the back of an AA truck with a failed turbo Posts: 10,756 Members Car: Octavia II 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 30 Thanked 195 Times in 146 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service And the roads in New Zealand are good __________________ Alex "I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away" www.drzoidberg.co.uk

07-09-2007, 14:37	#12
jlwah Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 396 Members Car: vRS TDi Estate - Race Blue Thanks: 22 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service It's interesting to note the different standard equipment fitted to the vRS in NZ. The only options available are sunroof, heated front seats, hill hold control, silver roof rails (estate only), sun safe glass (whatever that is) and sunset glass (estate only). Everything else is standard including in-dash 6 CD (Audience), front/rear parking sensors, xenons, maxi-dot, sensing wipers, cruise, 18" wheels, Jumbo box, and metallic paint, etc., etc. List prices range from £16161.28 for 2.0TFSi hatch to £17692.67 for Diesel Estate - that's not fair!! __________________ "Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government, though it might be better than this current bunch of f!@w$ts!"* Last edited by jlwah; 07-09-2007 at 20:49.

07-09-2007, 20:28	#13
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,048 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service I still can't afford one __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

10-09-2007, 01:03	#16
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,048 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 1 Thanks: 155 Thanked 161 Times in 134 Posts	Re: Skoda used the vRS as a free taxi service Yep - Skoda are still struggling here against the old reputation. I'm seeing a lot more around now the Mk2 is out. __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode