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Cupra to launch in Australia with online sales and likely fixed pricing, parent Volkswagen not set to follow

The Volkswagen Group has no plans to ditch its extensive dealer network in Australia.


Spanish brand Cupra will launch next year in Australia with an online business model and likely fixed pricing, however it appears parent company Volkswagen is unlikely to follow suit.

Under the new system customers will be able to secure a vehicle over the internet, and each Cupra variant will likely be allocated a non-negotiable drive-away price.

While Volkswagen Group Australia is yet to confirm whether it will sell Cupra vehicles through a traditional dealer network, or via non-negotiable fixed prices, CarAdvice understands the shift to direct sales is likely.

If it were to go ahead with such a sales structure, Cupra would not the first to offer non-negotiable fixed prices in Australia. Tesla and Genesis currently operate under the model, while Honda and Mercedes-Benz will transition to comparable systems in the coming months.

However, a spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia told CarAdvice: “No [this is not a toe in the water for the group more broadly]. Certainly not the way some other brands have changed the way they deal with their dealer network – that’s not what we’re looking at.”

“With the inclusion of Audi [into Volkswagen Group Australia] now, we’ve got 180-plus dealers and they’ve always been part of the process … The agency model just works for Cupra because there is that willingness and that desire to have agility and flexibility from the get-go, but it’s certainly not something that we’re looking at for Volkswagen or for Skoda – our dealers are a pretty important part in all of this.”

“This just gives us the opportunity to grow [Cupra] quickly. Setting up a massive dealer network of 30-plus dealers takes a lot of time, and by doing it this way we can grow quickly, we can get boots on the ground, and grow presence in the market.”

Proponents of the agency model (and the fixed pricing that is usually attached to it) argue it reduces anxiety for customers, simplifies the buying process, and streamlines stock allocation. However, some industry experts claim the model has the potential to stifle competition and will likely lead to higher prices.

As previously reported by CarAdvice, John Krafcik – a former senior executive at Ford, Hyundai, Google and Waymo – said: “In a one-price environment for direct to consumer, the manufacturer sets the (RRP) and there’s no room for negotiation, so it will result in higher transaction prices.”

Cupra will launch in Australia between April and June next year, with the Ateca mid-size SUV, Formentor mid-size crossover SUV, and Leon hot hatch available to local buyers with a broad range of powertrain options. You can read more about the line-up by clicking here.


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William Davis

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

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