Škoda will introduce the new Fabia, the second body variant of the Enyaqu, next year and does not intend to compete with the Dacia. It is about the electric future …
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Thomas Schäfer took over as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Škoda in August this year, replacing Bernhard Maier. After 100 days, he gave an interview to Czech Television on the show Byznys ČT24.
The biggest novelty of the manufacturer from Mladá Boleslav will be expected the fourth generation of little Fabia, which will definitely shuffle the cards properly in segment A. It will arrive in the first months of next year, but will remain with internal combustion engines, “Electrified” versions would be too expensive for now. Electric SUV Enyaq will see another body version with a merging rear end in the second half of the year, for which the name has been adopted SUV coupe, although it will still have two pairs of side doors.
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Electric car Citigo finished. But a successor is planned. “We would never have believed that he would be so successful. It’s basically sold out. ” said Schäfer and at the same time denied speculation about his subsidies, there was talk of 220 thousand crowns for each car. “We need bigger batteries for Enyaq and hybrids, we just can’t take new orders on Citigo anymore.”
You can still buy a Citigo in stock, but rather with petrol engines, electric cars are available to a minimum. However, such a car is especially suitable for the city, of which Schäfer is aware. “We will definitely need a small electric car and we are fighting for it, such plans are being worked on. Maybe in two or three months we will know more, the development of such a car takes some time. “Volkswagen is preparing the smallest model of the ID family, the price tag will of course be decisive. Half a million is still enough …
Reducing emissions is (unfortunately) inevitable, whether we like it or not. According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Škoda will even exceed its emission targets this year. “I believe that the Czech Republic will produce cars with both types of drives, ie combustion and electric in one plant. There is no alternative for the carmaker than to meet everything to survive the pressure and requirements of the new green agreement of the European Union. In the short and medium term, only the electromobile future awaits us. We need to critically review previous plans, we thought we would have more time to adapt, at least we know where we are going. We decide on the whole portfolio, we have to consider what models we need. ” Škoda is trying to develop the infrastructure itself, especially the network of charging stations. It is also negotiating its development with the Czech government and private investors.
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Automakers are struggling with a worldwide decline in sales. But the winged arrow has a slightly opposite trouble … And not just those that customers demand plug-in hybrid Octavia a Superby. “Škoda Auto has insufficient production capacity in the Czech Republic. If it was 120,000 bigger, we would like to sell these cars well. Where Kodiaq and Superb will be built will probably be decided by the end of November. “ said Schäfer. “No, even in these uncertain times, we will not build any new plant,” he stressed. “The necessary capacity must be found in some hitherto fully unused factories abroad, in India or Russia. It is also possible to use some shared plants within the Volkswagen Group. “
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News about the construction of a new factory for the Superb and the next Passat can be taken as speculation. However, the largest classic passenger car of the Mladá Boleslav brand can move from Kvasiny outside the country, as well as large SUVs.
What’s more, production relocations can affect any Škoda model. “It would be a myth to think that everything will remain the same as before.” the Chairman of the Board of Directors pointed out. At the beginning of September, the union leader of Škoda Auto, Jaroslav Povšík, said that, according to his information, the production of the Superb model would move to Bratislava, the production of the SUV Kodiaq to Germany and Seat Ateca, which originates in Kvasiny, is moving “home” to Spain. According to Povšík ‘s words, it was “Campaign against Škoda”, at least that is how they were interpreted by the ČTK agency.
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Does Škoda really want to be a competitor to Dacia, will it move its models among cheaper cars? “It’s a big misunderstanding.” said Schäfer. “Volkswagen’s top management believes that the Mladá Boleslav carmaker has the greatest growth potential within the VW Group. She was entrusted with responsibility for the entire group in Russia, North Africa and India. “
He further stated: “We have been very successful so far, but we need to enter new markets and increase production. Let’s continue with what we can do, but at the same time let’s look for new opportunities. We definitely don’t want to make cheap cars, we just want to make sure that the Kamiq, Karoq or even the Fabia are more affordable, even for people who have deep pockets. ”
Sources: ČT24, Autosystem.cz, Wikipedia
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