Mlada Boleslav According to its new boss Thomas Schäfer, Škoda Auto must return to the class of more affordable cars. According to him, the second Dacia from Škoda will not be, the carmaker wants to add an affordable and affordable version for every model on offer, the new chairman of the board said in an interview for Monday’s issue of Hospodářské noviny (HN).
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“But we won’t be Dacia, we can’t even expect to come to the market with small, cheap cars. But for each model we have on offer, we will add a truly attractively priced and affordable version for the average customer, as much as possible for the company. And it’s not easy, because on the other hand, the company cannot be allowed to suffer on such cars, “Schäfer told Hospodářské noviny.
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According to the head of the Herbert Diesse Group, the Volkswagen Group, to which Škoda belongs, does not currently have a brand that would compete with cheaper Korean or French carmakers. Schäfer agrees.
By 2023 at the latest, the carmaker will come up with a plan for more affordable cars. It also includes the continuation of the development and production of the Škoda Fabia in the station wagon version, the end of which has been speculated about, and will now play the role of an affordable car.
Schäfer is pleased that the plans to move production to Superbu culminated in the decision to move production to Slovakia. “Today, on the contrary, it seems to us that than having a factory far away in Turkey, it is better to produce cars essentially for our Slovak neighbors, while securing jobs and the existing supply chain. We are now glad that it turned out this way, “said Schäfer HN.
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On the contrary, the Kodiaq SUV will continue to be produced in the Czech Republic; according to Schäfer, Škoda fought for its maintenance. “Look, it basically worked out the best it could. We urgently needed more capacity. It is impossible to build a new factory in the Czech Republic, and by having nowhere to produce the cars of interest, we were tied up. After the Superb, space will be freed up for us in the factory and we can grow, while the development of the car together with the VW Passat will run in the Czech Republic, “he said.
In 2023, when the Superb will move to Slovakia, according to him, Škoda will grow by at least 50,000 cars produced per year. According to him, Škoda will focus more on the basic versions of individual models. “Above all, there is a need for these cars to be more affordable, and yet customers get what they are used to with their money. When we had limited production capacity, we were forced to focus on maximizing profits. With a larger production capacity, it is possible to try to fight competition among more affordable brands, “said Schäfer.
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