Volkswagen is experiencing ‘serious shortages’ of some models in the UK as a result of fluctuations in demand in some major European markets.
While problems in the eurozone are hitting sales in Italy and Spain, demand in the UK is higher than predicted.
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And it is not just new models like the award-winning Up which are selling above expectations. The Golf, which is due to be replaced in six months’ time, and the Passat, another model well into its life cycle, are also in high demand.
Dealers are currently quoting a two-month delivery time for the Up unless they have one in stock and it is the same for most versions of the Golf – and even longer for the Golf GT. Stocks of the Passat are also extremely low, although extra supply is now in production.
VW admits it underestimated the likely demand in the first half of this year. The problem is that it is not easy to ramp up right hand drive production immediately because certain components, such as dashboards and steering racks, are specific to RHD models.
But production of RHD models will be increased from the start of September to bring supply closer into line with demand.
