Although the situation with a shortage of semiconductors at Škoda Auto has improved and only a few hundred unfinished cars remain on the parking areas, delivery times for ordered new cars are not shortening much yet. Customers have to wait five to fourteen months. The head of the Czech Škoda Auto representation, Jiří Maláček, admits that cars will have to increase their prices by at least inflation.
Tens of thousands of people are waiting for the ordered Škoda to be delivered, and deadlines are not being shortened yet. “The car is currently waiting for five to fourteen months,” admits Jiří Maláček, head of the Czech representation of Škoda Auto. The Enyaq iV electric car still has the shortest deadline. The carmaker prefers him for two reasons, with a larger number of cars sold, it is improving its emissions balance for cars sold and also has the largest margin on it.
However, the situation has improved, helped by the fact that the carmaker suspended production at the end of December and in the first week of January this year and instead completed unfinished cars in factories, which it had to park on leased areas and parking lots around its plants since last spring.
The cars lacked chips and other deficient parts. “We now have only the last few hundred cars in the area. We hope that the situation with semiconductors will slowly stabilize in the second half of this year,” adds Maláček.
According to statistics from the Association of Car Importers, Škoda Auto sold 70,946 cars on the Czech market last year, about 4,000 less than in 2020. Sales estimates for this year are rather cautious; according to Maláček, the carmaker would like to sell about 2,000 more cars than last year.
In addition to sober forecasts, Škoda also reminded at a press conference which models it will start selling this year. The Karoq facelifted SUV comes next in the spring. It was supposed to reach the retailers last autumn, but the problem with semiconductors postponed the launch until this year, and it is similar with the modernized Kodiaq.
At the end of February, the coupe version of the Enyaq iV electric car will be introduced, and this year the Fabia Monte Carlo will be launched. At the same time, Maláček does not say a categorical no when asked whether Škoda will become more expensive again in the near future, as has happened several times last year. “At the very least, we will have to raise inflation. We have previously stated that we must also respond to increasing demands with regard to emissions or safety equipment,” he added. When and by how much exactly, but he does not want to state.
Skoda like used cars
The carmaker also published the sales results of the Škoda Plus certified used car program. It sold about 56,000 cars last year, and does not expect a significant increase this year. Škoda Plus is the leader on the Czech used market.
“However, maintaining the current numbers will actually be the most difficult. We are now looking for tools to ensure a higher number of used items in the program, we have strengthened the purchase. The vast majority of cars we offer come from the Czech market,” explains Jiří Maláček.
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