In this week's round-up of automotive gossip, Audi adds a pipe to the Q3, Mercedes tells us about its focus on data security, we talk EVs with Toyota and more.
VW keep faith with dealers
Volkswagen's 10,000-strong dealer network will always remain integral to its sales process, despite the manufacturer seeking to sell cars to customers directly. “Dealers are like churches, in that they know their local people better than we ever can,” said chief operating officer Ralf Brandstätter.
Audi's pipe dream
One of the key additions to the second-generation Audi RS Q3 that most excited its designers? A second exhaust pipe. Exterior designer Matthew Baggley said: “The Q3 had been the only RS model with only one exhaust pipe – and we really wanted to fix that.” The twin pipes on the new car are now the biggest in the entire Audi range.
Mercedes susses data security
Mercedes' reputation for safety must extend to data security if the firm is to be trusted for online sales and customer interaction, according to head of sales Britta Seeger. “It’s critical that we are trusted to protect the data we need from customers in order to make their purchase and ownership of our cars seamless,” she said. Mercedes Me digital services have been activated by more than four million people.
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Fess up dealers.
Are the VAG dealers gonna confess to corporate sins and give compensation to their flocks?
405line wrote:
Oh lord...uninformed post number...whatever...what do the DEALERS have to contribute to your whining and whingeing re the OEM?. Why should the dealerships compensate and for what that is directly attributable to them?.
You were "trying" to be clever/funny with the use of a few connected words...you failed in that respect and with your attempt to make a point worth considering.
You have to feel for Audi,
You have to feel for Audi, the designers getting excited about a second exhaust pipe. A few years ago an Audi salesman wasted a lot of time pointing out (and explaining) multipe trivial design details that ordinarly folks would never notice yet whenever a new Audi is launched the internet immediately declares it boring.
When your house style dictates the tiny details (the corners of the rear window are a detail I certainly remember - must be rounded on coupes and 90 degree on saloons) that Audi does it starts to explian WHY they design dull cars.