2023 Škoda Annual Press Conference

After proving its resilience in 2022, Škoda is looking to the future with optimism. At the Annual Press Conference chairman of the board Klaus Zellmer revealed some of the company’s plans for the future.

15. 3. 2023 Škoda World

The year 2022 was expected to be very challenging for the automotive industry. In addition to the ongoing difficulties in supply chains, particularly in the chip sector, the situation was complicated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Despite being confronted by these problems, Škoda delivered over 731,300 cars to customers last year, with demand being noticeably higher. The Octavia remained the brand’s best-selling model, while the Kamiq and Kodiaq SUVs also performed well and demand for the Fabia and the Enyaq iV family of electric cars was high.

“Škoda Auto has demonstrated its resilience throughout 2022. Despite the various challenges our industry is facing, we sharpened our strategic focus,” said Klaus Zellmer. The Czech carmaker’s future stands on several pillars, he said.

E-mobility and sustainability

One of these pillars is the continued and growing emphasis on electromobility. Last May the company launched production of batteries for MEB platform vehicles in Mladá Boleslav, and this year it will expand its capacity to produce 1,500 battery modules per day.

The final segment of the annual press conference was a Q&A session with the board members. Pictured, left to right: Martin Jahn (Sales and Marketing), Ariane Kilian (Head of Communications, press conference moderator), Christian Schenk (Finance and IT), Klaus Zellmer (Chairman), Michael Oeljeklaus (Production and Logistics), Karsten Schnake (Purchasing), and Johannes Neft (Technical Development).

By 2026 Škoda will have rolled out three more electric vehicles, which will spread the electric car portfolio across categories, from small and compact cars to a seven-seater model.

The company continues to place great emphasis on sustainability. And not just at home in the Czech Republic. For example, the newly commissioned solar facility at the plant in Pune, India, will cover up to 30% of the plant’s energy consumption.

The Enyaq iV family is just the start of Škoda’s move to greater sustainability. Three more electric cars will be added to the portfolio by 2026.

Straddling the globe

Škoda is also focusing on expanding its presence in international markets as part of its Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030. In India it managed to more than double its vehicle deliveries last year (127.7% year-on-year growth). Now the Czech carmaker is looking to strengthen its presence in markets beyond Southeast Asia. This year Škoda is entering the strategically important Vietnamese market, which is expected to pave the way to growth in other ASEAN markets. In this case, the Czech carmaker will leverage their proximity to India. Another region where Škoda sees growth potential is the Middle East - read more here.

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