ŠKODA in 2030? More electrified, more digital

You can watch the recording of the press conference here:

“To achieve this, we will be focusing on three top priorities: EXPAND, EXPLORE and ENGAGE. These are the strong pillars supporting our actions. We will remain true to our brand values of simplifying, human and surprising. They have always set us apart, they are strong and they remain relevant.”

To continue to be successful, ŠKODA must pay attention to customers and trends, says Thomas Schäfer. These trends are clear: emission reductions and the associated electrification and digitalisation. But customers themselves have much more diverse expectations. “People expect their cars to be easy and intuitive to use,” says Schäfer. And that’s exactly the kind of car ŠKODA wants to give its customers. For example, the company is also betting on online sales, with one in five ŠKODA cars due to be sold this way by 2025. 

In the future, the Czech carmaker also wants to offer cars that deliver excellent value for money along with surprising and practical features that make everyday use easier. Vehicles that are intended to be both a pleasant surprise and a pleasant certainty for customers.

The all-new ŠKODA FABIA

“By 2030, we want to be one of the top five best-selling brands in Europe,” the ŠKODA CEO outlines the company’s ambitious plan. This is to be achieved by offering affordable models, such as the new ŠKODA FABIA, while expanding the range of electrified cars. “We will add at least three more fully electric models to our portfolio by 2030,” Schäfer announced. All of them will be below the ENYAQ iV in size and price, making eMobility available to an even wider range of customers. 

ŠKODA AUTO CEO Thomas Schäfer

“Depending on how markets develop, our target is for fully electric ŠKODA models to account for roughly 50 to 70 per cent of sales in Europe for 2030,” Schäfer said. By fostering the development and production of electric vehicles and their components in the Czech Republic, the Czech carmaker will help the traditionally industrial country become an electromobility hub. According to Schäfer, electric cars or their components are to be manufactured at all ŠKODA plants in the Czech Republic.

New horizons

The ŠKODA CEO pointed out that markets outside Europe are also set to help the Czech carmaker grow. He stressed that ŠKODA is already in charge of all VW Group activities for the regions of India, Russia and North Africa. “Our global sales potential has reached 1.5 million units,” Schäfer said in reference to this extensive ambit. Specific models tailored to the markets in question will therefore continue to be key. “Rest assured that we have plenty of ideas for these markets,” he said, promising future surprises.

ŠKODA KUSHAQ

At the same time, ŠKODA is not afraid to take on new responsibilities. Proof of this can be seen in the takeover of the development of the next-generation VW Passat, which the Czech carmaker’s engineers will develop in tandem with the new generation of the flagship ŠKODA SUPERB. “This is a great honour for our developers,” says Schäfer.