VW News: Skoda's CEO Says New SUV Could Lead A Possible Charge In the U.S.

[William Maley]

Back in June, we learned that Skoda (a Czech brand under the Volkswagen group) was investigating possibly entering new markets. One of those new markets was North America, a place where 20 percent of global car sales take place. At the time our original report, Skoda hasn't set a timeframe for a decision. Also as we noted, Skoda would need to get more crossovers and SUVs ready if they want to try and make inroads in the U.S.

 

Speaking of SUVs and the U.S., a recent article done by Autocar piqued our interest. Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier said if they were to launch the brand in the U.S. in the near future, they would have their upcoming seven-seat Kodiaq leading the charge.

 

“If we do decide to compete in the US, we will have one chance to make a good first impression. We feel that if we were there now, the Kodiaq would be a home-run car,” said Maier.

 

Maier did stress that the U.S. isn't on Skoda's immediate radar. At the moment, the brand is looking closely at Iran, Singapore, and South Korea as possible new markets. But Maier isn't saying the U.S. isn't on their radar at all.

 

“America is the one that we don't currently compete in with the biggest potential.”

 

Skoda appears to have taken a page out of PSA Peugeot Citroën's playbook. Autocar says the automaker has begun a feasibility study as to whether or not it makes sense to enter the U.S.

 

Source: Autocar

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[David]

The US market no matter how you look at it is a big investment and one that not every company can easily do. The need for dealerships, warranty, marketing, etc. is huge.

 

Wish them all the best if they choose to try. They best come with the attitude of Do or Do Not, there is no try!

[oldshurst442]

And.... the Volkswagen Group arrogance must be left out of America and be kept locked up in Germany...

The arrogance could be let loose as far as Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, but no further than those borders...

[David]

Interesting, just learned that Skoda was no longer a partner but owned by VW.

 

The history of ŠKODA - Over 100 years of getting people from A to B

http://www.skoda.co.uk/skoda-history

 

A 120 Years of ŠKODA

http://www.skoda.com.au/about-skoda/skoda-history

 

Another good web site covering who owns whom.

 

http://www.tysto.com/articles08/q3/20080720cars.shtml

 

Have to agree with Olds, I hope if Skoda comes to the US, they leave the VW arrogance home.

[David]

I can see a few C&G members going bonkers over this racy little auto.

 

http://www.skoda-auto.com/en/models/octavia-rs-230/

 

Octavia RS 230

 

I also noticed that they have no line of SUVs or CUVs so I can see why they are developing them. Would think a reSkin of existing VW CUVs would work like the twins between Porsche and VW has now.

 

One area they will have to jump on is SKODA has NO EV's or Plug-in EV's. The Hybrid thing is totally missing from their lineup. 

 

You can see the VW tail lights on this mule they have on their Kodiaq home page.

 

http://www.skoda-auto.com/en/models/kodiaq/

[Drew Dowdell]

Skoda is just a VW in Buick's clothing. Expect no arrogance difference.