Thomas Schäfer is the new head of Skoda. The new boss arrives at the Czech brand to continue with the implemented strategy of his predecessor in office, but also with very interesting plans that he has revealed in an interview, such as the new generation of the Skoda Fabia Combi, among other Models.
The Skoda throne has just received a new boss at the helm. His name is Thomas Schäfer, and he brings important news to the Czech firm, which is going through one of the best moments in its history. The objective is to continue extending this objective over time but also to have a range of products adapted to all markets.
Schäfer has granted an interesting interview to a Czech media in which he has explained what the fundamental pillars of his new strategy for the brand will be, and in which he has also referred to the supposed role of a low-cost brand that Volkswagen intended to impose on it. In this sense, Schäfer has denied that this is going to be the trend in the future, but rather that the firm needs to strengthen its position in emerging markets such as Russia, North Africa, or China, after focusing for a long time on Europe.
Skoda Won’t Be a Low-cost Brand
The objective is to offer more specific products such as the new SUVs destined for India, which will be exported to other markets but not to those of Western Europe, and to attract new customers with more basic versions in more difficult markets such as Spain, Italy or France, where it says that the competition is more aggressive. Schäfer does not contemplate a new low-cost model, which he has pointed out that “it would not make sense” in the current range of products.
Although he has pointed out two models in the portfolio as the pillars for the coming years, the Skoda Octavia and Kodiaq, due to their relevant sales figures, he has pointed out that the enhancement of the offer involves offering a cheaper basic version «of the majority of its models, without leather seats and similar superior equipment, but still with an excellent price-performance ratio.
The new boss has also spoken about what the future holds for Skoda, confirming for the second time that there will be a new generation of the Fabia, also including an estate variant. Regarding the Skoda Fabia Combi, he pointed out that “I can only add that it looks very good”, a body that will not be available in all markets, considering that it is a variant that is being replaced by the B-SUVs.
The utility is one of the most important models of the brand, a completely new model that will arrive next year, and to which the new generation of the Superb will also be added in 2023 and that has also been confirmed, including a small electric one. Thomas Schäfer has also announced that the future of Skoda, from 2027, will be electric with “new models based on the ENYAQ“.
Photos;Largus&Motor.es
