We are negotiating production with VW, says the head of Škoda Auto. The Superb will be decided by the end of the year

“We should make full use of the Kvasinsky plant. It is one of the most modern companies in the entire VW Group’s production network and employs educated and highly motivated people. At the moment, we are in the middle of long negotiations with Volkswagen,” said Thomas Schäfer. to the Škoda Mobil corporate magazine in an interview on the question of what is the truth about the production of the Kodiaq SUV should move to Germany and the production of the Superb to Bratislava.

“By the end of the year, we will also have a decision regarding the Superb model. I am convinced that we will find a good and long-term solution for everyone,” he added to the speculations about the transfer of the Škoda flagship to a production plant outside the Czechia.

Production transfers within the Volkswagen Group have been around for a long time. In about three years, a new generation of the Superb model is to be launched on the market, and it has been rumored that production of the Superb should move to the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava. That this variant is in play, he confirmed this spring Hospodářské noviny trade union leader Jaroslav Povšík.

In Slovakia, the Superb could be produced together with the sister model Passat, in the development of which engineers in Škoda also take part. It is high time to decide on the production plant to complete the preparation.

However, Rošáda with production is on the agenda of the group’s meetings, and other possibilities were that the production of the Kamiq and Karoq models, or even the Fabia, would be moved. We are more informed here. The carmaker’s management is in a difficult negotiating position because, in addition to Volkswagen’s interests, it is also dealing with the pressure of strong unions. These, led by Povšík, are speculating about the postponement of the production of Škoda models outside the Czechia they dislike.

The reason for these relocations is Volkswagen’s effort to make the most of existing factories in Europe and, conversely, to make it easier for plants that produce at maximum capacity. However, the decision also affects the decline in demand for new cars caused by the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Paradoxically, as one of the few carmakers in Europe, Škoda Auto is not struggling with a significant drop in profits caused by a decline in sales. “Current sales data show that this year is not lost yet. We have been able to increase our market share and my thanks go to all Škodaers,” says Škoda Schäfer, head of Škoda.

In an interview, the abbreviated version of which was published on the Škoda Storyboard corporate website, he also talked more about the new generation of Fabia. We are more informed here. Sales are scheduled to begin next year.

According to behind-the-scenes information, the Fabia should also return with a station wagon body. Small family cars are disappearing from the European market and the available station wagon could be a competitive advantage for Škoda. He said that the new head of Škoda would like the station wagon to be produced Hospodářské noviny after its first official appearance on the occasion of the launch of the Enyaq IV electric car.

He also reaffirmed to Škoda Mobil that he wants the Škoda brand to be available. “Whether we target students, young families or older couples. In addition to the current model line, I also see the possibility of growth in conquering new markets and focusing on the segment of affordable cars. But we will not become a cheap brand, Japan and France, “Schäfer concluded.

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