Audi A6 by Busch stopped?

[Albert]

What has happened with the Audi A6. Why the production has been temporarily stopped?

[BillC]

Albert:

If you are asking about the new CMD version, instead of the Audi promotional model, it may well be that a combination of special projects and getting ready for Spielwarenmesse have overloaded the production capacity and that things will get back to normal in a few weeks.

Don't forget, Busch is still trying to get out the GMC bus and Toyota Land Cruiser that were announced at Spielwarenmesse last year!

[Eric]

According to information found at the Mo87 site the A6 has been postponed due 'quality issues'. But at least a batch of them has been released already, I have a light blue metallic CMD version here !

Other information found on Mo87:

- Toyota Landcruiser --> April
- GMC Fishbowl --> Summer 2005
- New models from March onward

[BillC]

The production of the Audi A6 CMD model was delayed for just one week because of a problem with the packaging, not the model.

According to Busch, the A6 was a tight fit when packed in the standard hard plastic box and there was a chance one of the outside rearview mirrors could be knocked off if the box was not opened very carefully.

The delay was to allow the repacking of the models in a soft plastic box.

Bill C.

[Albert]

Nice information Bill. Now I am checking my A6 CMD and I have noticed how the left mirror is shaving the grey cardboard.

[Eric]

Thanks for the info Bill, I already found it hard to believe there would be problems with the model itself. My CMD A6 did come in the hard plastic box by the way, and it is indeed a very tight fit.

[BillC]

Late update: Since this problem will also exist with some future CMD models, like the A6 Avant, Busch is going to use a larger plastic box (I believe it will still be soft plastic, but I do not know for sure).

As this means they will have to design and produce a new "CMD" insert, Busch says they will need 2-3 weeks before they begin shipping the A6 CMD models again.

As I know they are very busy trying to get everything ready for Spielwarenmesse, I am going to be pessimistic and say 3 weeks. This means the repackaged models should be ready by the time Spielwarenmesse opens.

Bill C.

[skunk]

Eric and Albert, I suggest that you leave those A6s coocooned in their boxes and sell them on eBay for 600 Euros in twenty years - you might well have some rare artifacts on your hands here. I wonder how many were shipped?

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

Ditto in here. In real terms, models which had problems are the ones which fetch the highest prices on future bids. I would assume that there were very few of these CMD series cars on very narrow boxes.

[BillC]

I am sure a fair number were produced and shipped. It may be that the problem was discovered when retailers reported customer complaints to Busch.

In any event, mine will stay unopened in its standard plastic box.

Bill C.