wallstbear
Schwarzwald Sprinter
- Messages
- 179
Not sure if this has been posted before, but here is some latest car news from China for your weekend amusement.
What happened:
1. Porsche China sold many cars with MANUAL steering column adjustment units, citing chip shortage; but still charged customers US$5K extra which applies to ELECTRIC units;
2. They did promise to replace them with ELECTRIC ones for free, once chips become available;
3. Later they changed their mind but still wanted to keep the $5K, so they bluntly notified their customers (did offer a $350 coupon which is good for one free oil change);
4. Porsche China is the Amber Heard of cars, as the Chinese absolutely worship this brand;
5. But this time, customers refused to bite the bullet, and started an internet campaign, which went viral;
6. Porsche had to issue a public apology with no real solution;
7. People refused to accept and pushed further;
8. Porsche then had to issue a second apology and promised to fix the issue later this year or next year;
9. Experts say Porsche never really intended to replace them w/ electric steering units because proper cabling and motor were not provided for in the first place. In contrast, US models were sold with cabling and motors fully installed, except without the chip.
Other facts:
1. One third of Porsche's sales are in China;
2. Porsches are typically sold at 2X their US prices, or more; They cost more than most houses;
3. Custom specs means ridiculous waiting periods. 99% Porsches are sold with factory-specs (and significantly over sticker);
BTW, I don't own a Porsche so I don't have a horse in the race, but I do find this type of practice pretty douchey.
What happened:
1. Porsche China sold many cars with MANUAL steering column adjustment units, citing chip shortage; but still charged customers US$5K extra which applies to ELECTRIC units;
2. They did promise to replace them with ELECTRIC ones for free, once chips become available;
3. Later they changed their mind but still wanted to keep the $5K, so they bluntly notified their customers (did offer a $350 coupon which is good for one free oil change);
4. Porsche China is the Amber Heard of cars, as the Chinese absolutely worship this brand;
5. But this time, customers refused to bite the bullet, and started an internet campaign, which went viral;
6. Porsche had to issue a public apology with no real solution;
7. People refused to accept and pushed further;
8. Porsche then had to issue a second apology and promised to fix the issue later this year or next year;
9. Experts say Porsche never really intended to replace them w/ electric steering units because proper cabling and motor were not provided for in the first place. In contrast, US models were sold with cabling and motors fully installed, except without the chip.
Other facts:
1. One third of Porsche's sales are in China;
2. Porsches are typically sold at 2X their US prices, or more; They cost more than most houses;
3. Custom specs means ridiculous waiting periods. 99% Porsches are sold with factory-specs (and significantly over sticker);
BTW, I don't own a Porsche so I don't have a horse in the race, but I do find this type of practice pretty douchey.
.
