Dear Mr. …. ,
together with many, quite angry and disappointed owners, I would like to ask a principal question: how is it possible that Volvo on Call feature does not work in Czech Republic ? (and it easily works in ALL the surrounding countries). How could this happen at all ?? That we buy an expensive premium car and are not able to use all its features ? What is the real truth behind that ?
First we were officially told that the mobile networks here do not follow some standards, so this is the reason. This showed to be simply not true. For example Skoda introduced a similar (even more advanced) service for their cars and it has absolutely no problem with the networks.
Yesterday there was a case when a German owner of XC90 came here (with German SIM card) and he was easily using and demonstrating full set of VOC features her, within the Czech mobile network. So ” a problem with network” is simply a lie.
Now, where is the problem ? (if we exclude that non-existing “network problem”). Volvo Czech Republic claims that they have done everything in this regard and the problem is with Volvo Sweden, who does not approve this service here (??). How did we deserve such an attitude ? How this is even possible ??
And what is the most absurd thing – although we asked several times for it when our cars were manufactured, it was denied: simply that the small hardware extensions shall be already put in the car, so that we can start using it once the service is available here one day. We were told: no, not possible (that is quite irrational and not very considerate to those who buy the car). So it can happen that this service will finally (with a shameful delay) start working here and our cars will become obsolete, not being able to use it, just because the factory refused very easy and natural thing – to add the slot for the SIM card + that small VOC HW in our cars (while the fact that VOC does not work here yet is not our fault).
So we are not able to remotely start independent heating (and it was working for me already with my V70 2006 !! and now with my 100 000 EUR premium car I cannot do it), to remotely start the car + many other very useful features in connection with mobile phone. And everybody else in other countries can easily use VOC in its full extent. Even the Skoda cars costing 1/4 of XC90 can do it (and many more things).
Now, this is really a shame !! I would like to know how could this happen at all (the truth), when it will start working here and what you can do that we, the present owners of XC90 bought in Czech Republic could start using it too (to retrofit the hardware). Don’t tell us that we will not be able to use it. This would be really the most disastrous attitude from Volvo part.
Together with several hundred XC90 owners here, I wait for a clear reply
Best regards,
After few reminders, a reply came
Dear Mr …,
Thank you for your reply.
And my apologies for not replying earlier as I was out of office on training.
Regarding your question, I have since been informed that the decision to release Volvo On Call in the Czech Republic is still pending. I would advise you, therefore, to maintain contact with our representatives in your country, contact details here, and they will inform you further when more news is available.
Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, and for contacting Volvo Cars.
Kind regards,
I replied:
Dear Mr. …..,
thank you for your reply. But it does not answer my question at all.
My question is: WHY Volvo on Call is not available in Czech Republic, while it is available almost everywhere else ? Poland, Germany, Austria (to name the neighbouring countries). How could it happen at all that Czech Republic was simply excluded from this service ? Why it is not working here from the very beginning as everywhere else ? Is Czech Republic considered as some inferior, low grade country where Volvo simply does not care much ? It seems so. As soon as the new XC90s started to be imported here, it should have been working from that very moment. There are no technical obstacles for it here.
Excluding important features at certain market causes not very nice feelings from the customers’ part. We bought the most advanced (and most expensive) Volvo car ever but some advanced functions were not provided to us as to all the other customers in other countries. It feels very strange and certainly does not deepen the faith and loyalty to Volvo company. Not speaking of the fact that even when finally and with shameful delay VOC will start working here, we will not be able to use it in our cars any more.
And in fact – most people do not care about some assistance service or hotel booking etc., but not to be able to remotely start heating (which even my old V70 2006 could easily do), to start remotely the engine, to keep various records in the mobile telephone etc. makes this car really rather obsolete and limited in a way. The new Skoda cars, costing 4 times less can easily do all this and much more.
I am not alone who would like to hear a clear answer to these questions. And I would also like to know if Volvo could provide at least the essential remote functions and records to the present owners of XC90 2016/2017 – as soon as possible. Yesterday was already too late …
Best regards,
This was 2 months ago. Even after few reminders, it ended in a complete silence. Why it does not work here, is probably a highly classified information protected by CIA …