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Today, we received confimation in writing that Audi Canada would honor the warranty in Canada of all US purchased vehicles. 

“All Audi warranties on 2009 vehicles take on the warranty coverage for the country in which the vehicle is located at the time it is serviced or repaired”….. “I trust this information is helpful in reassuring you as to the warranty coverage on a 2009 Audi vehicle that you may purchase in the U.S. and relocate to Canada” .

This following letter is very professional and we appreciate the time and effort that Audi Canada representatives took to clarify and document the issue.

Excellent customer service.

Now how come Honda Canada and GM Canada can’t operate like this.

This months “MyRide” newsletter has a section on current August deals. 

http://www.myride.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/6545/id/30949 

So, we glanced thru it and found the U.S. Audi A3 with a dealer incentive discount of $2,500.  We decided to compare the features and pricing in both countries.  We even took some more time to call dealers in both countries.

In summary we found a difference of 4,000  or 10.39 percent. At par the difference will be $6712 or 17.57% More significanly though, we discovered that the webs sites were identical and the car features / options and descriptions were identical.   The main issue was availability.  There were no 2009’s in Canada and they were very scarce in the U.S.  Our U.S. reps could not locate any.  So another lesson learned …it is ethical  to offer really fantastic prices and discounts on a product that you don’t have?

Continue reading “ATaleofTwoPrices continues..Today’s Comparison …. Audi A3!”

Today, the Montreal Gazette picked up a Driving.ca commentary by David Booth.  3/4 of a page highlighting that the “A5 has undeniable appeal”.   The base price in Canada was indicated as $51,850.  So how much does it really cost, if you are a smart US bound buyer?

  Continue reading “Audi A5 - Great Car, availability 8 months!”

Auto sector bleeds from bite of high fuel

U.S. vehicle sales plunged last month to their lowest level since 1991 as soaring gas prices mauled the pickup truck and sport utility vehicle markets and even bit into crossovers, one segment that has been a bright spot for the embattled Detroit Three.

We have posted the details for you as well.  Maybe this will loosen up some of the American Dealers to start selling to Canadians.

Continue reading “Car Sales dip in June!”

Volkswagen follows Toyota moves to cut MRSPs to meet the challenge of our rising Canadian Dollar, but is it enough!    

The distinctive Volkswagen New Beetle, on display at the Toronto auto show, now carries a suggested retail price of $21,975, a 3.5 per cent decrease.   Editors note: This is the picture that accompanied the article?  Looks rather “sloppy” to us.  What does that say for the content.

Among its cuts, Volkswagen said it would reduce the MSRP of the Rabbit five-door version by $700, or 3.2 per cent, to $20,975; the Jetta A5 sedan by $1,500, or 6.3 per cent, to $21,975; the Passat 2.0T sedan by $3,500, or 11.2 per cent, to $27,475; and the Touareg 2 V-8 luxury sport utility vehicle by $5,800, or 9 per cent, to $58,975.

Here is the article:    2008-02-14torontostar.pdf

We are all glad to see this movement but do you really think it is enough!   Can you fool the Canadian Automobile Consumer? 

Stay Tuned, find out what Transport Canada does to help the car makers maintain their unequal prices!