After Year-End Discounts, Many Audi A6 Models Not Received on Time
As Investigation Begins... "Dealers and Customers Should Negotiate Well"
"Could Be Seen as Discriminatory Consumer Policy"
Consumers who purchased imported cars with large year-end discounts are expressing dissatisfaction due to delays in receiving their vehicles on time. It is reported that not only are delivery dates being repeatedly postponed, but the discount terms initially promised at the time of contract are often not honored, and the delivery order is frequently pushed back.
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Consumers who purchased imported cars with large year-end discounts are expressing dissatisfaction because they have not received their cars on time. It is reported that not only are deliveries being repeatedly delayed, but the discount conditions initially promised at the time of contract are not being honored, and delivery order is often postponed.
Mr. Park Byungchan (pseudonym), who lives in Gyeonggi-do, signed a purchase contract for an Audi A6 45 TFSI model on December 2 last year. He was told that after settling the remaining balance including registration fees, he could receive the car immediately after it arrived on the 23rd. However, he received news that the delivery was postponed to the 10th of this month because "the ship has not yet arrived." On the 6th, he was notified again that "the vehicle was assigned and the shipping order was received, but the headquarters took back the car," causing another delay.
It turned out that the headquarters took back the car to prioritize deliveries to customers who purchased at the regular price. Mr. Park said, "I heard that due to a shortage of supply, people like me who bought during the year-end discount were pushed back in the delivery order," adding, "There is a reservation order regardless of discount or regular price purchase, so how does this make sense?"
Mostly, people who signed contracts for the A6 model experienced this. Mr. Lee also said he was promised delivery in December but has not received the car. He even revealed that he was asked to accept delivery at a 21% discount instead of the originally contracted 25% discount.
Conversely, some customers who purchased at the regular price suffered because the delivery order was changed in favor of those who bought at a discount. In Mr. Kim’s case, his delivery waiting order was delayed. The headquarters canceled deliveries to customers who bought with high discounts, faced strong protests, and then reversed the decision, during which Mr. Kim became the "sacrifice."
Dealers say they have no choice but to follow the headquarters’ regulations and feel unfair. One dealer said, "We have no choice but to follow company policy," adding, "Since the headquarters does not allocate vehicles, we cannot make sales or keep promises with customers."
When the investigation began, Audi stated, "We have resolved the issue after consultations with the dealer and the customer."
Sales of imported cars are rapidly increasing. According to data from the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, the number of imported vehicles in Korea in November last year was 40,593 units, about twice the 19,990 units in January last year.
An industry insider said, "If there are cash flow problems at the end of the year or unavoidable circumstances that require changing the delivery and receipt order, customers should be properly informed," adding, "It could be perceived as a discriminatory consumer policy."
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