[AutoDaily] The Audi Korea have been expanding with more satellite dealerships opening up, but they just don't have enough service centers. This has created lots of complaints from customers who have bought an Audi but can't get their vehicles to a service center on time.
 
On the 2nd of September, Audi Korea announced that they were going to open 9 new satellite showrooms(or small showroom) in Dogok Seoul, Anyang Gyeong-gi, Cheon-an, Cheong-ju, Sun-cheon, Gun-san, Jin-ju, Po-hang and Chun-cheon.
 
Small showrooms aren't as elaborate as other showroom. But Audi Korea will increase earnings.
 
Toyota Korea created the concept of these small satellite showrooms to alleviate the network problems. Following in Toyota's footsteps this year was Honda, Renault Samsung, Audi dealerships taking the same concept of the satellite showrooms.
 
These new showrooms make sales increase, however there are a lack of service centers in the areas which is causing customers to complain.
 
Especially, Audi has the worst after service record in Korea. Nevertheless, the expansion of the satellite showrooms without service centers are making customers get angry.
 
Here is a list of the amount of service centers operating and amount sold for some of the import manufacturers from January to August this year.
 
 ￭Toyota Korea - 31 service centers and 9,142 vehicles.
 ￭Mercedes-Benz Korea - 32 service centers and 16,154 vehicles.
 ￭Ford Korea - 23 service centers and 4,576 vehicles.
 ￭Chrysler Korea - 17 service centers and 2,672 vehicles.
 ￭Cadillac - 17 service centers and 219 vehicles.
 ￭Audi Korea - 20 service centers and 13,032 vehicles.
 
As for Audi Korea, their sales have increased by 32.9%(13,032 vehicles sold - until August this year) from last year at the same time. However, the problem with Audi is that they only have 20 service centers in Korea, which is the fewest in the import market.
 
But Audi Korea insists that they have already built up more service centers in Il-san and Su-won and have expanded their service bays from 173 to 218 at service centers. Audi's showrooms have also expanded from 19 to 28. This is now the second highest number of showrooms after BMW (37 dealerships).
 
Another German brand, Volkswagen Korea has 23 service centers even though their sales have increased by-up-to 50% (16,054 vehicles) form January to August this year. With 23 showrooms so far and more to be opened in Je-ju and Gang-buk Seoul.
 
 

By Lee Sangwon.
(translate by Lee Jeonghwa)