Last year Škoda announced the arrival of the successor to the Karoq model, an electric compact crossover called the Elroq. It is part of the plan in which the Czech manufacturer intends to unveil six electric cars by 2026, with a total investment of 5.6 billion euros. The car was announced with a short video, and the premiere will take place on March 15.
The video shows the silhouette of the SUV with distinctive LED daytime running lights and an illuminated Skoda logo adorning the hood. It will be 4.5 meters long and “an ideal family car with a spacious and very practical interior”.
With this model, Škoda is trying to compete with the Peugeot E-3008 and the upcoming all-electric successors of the Citroen C5 Aircross and Opel Grandland. Both models are expected this year.
Other models expected to arrive by 2026 are an electric SUV that will share a platform with the upcoming Volkswagen ID.2, a refreshed Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe, a new station wagon and a seven-seat SUV, similar in size to the Kodiaq.
The growth of demand for electric cars in the world is on the rise, however, most European car manufacturers are struggling with competition, which, supported by government subsidies and lower labor costs, offers cars at lower prices. This forces most of the world’s manufacturers to continue offering cars with ICEs.
“We will offer our customers everything they are looking for, from diesel and petrol engines, through mild hybrids or plug-in hybrids, all the way to electric vehicles. From our point of view, this is not about competing for the latest internal combustion engine, but about putting the desire of our customers in the center of attention. Our position, but our attitude is as reasonable as the one Škoda has accustomed us to,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of Škoda Klaus Zellmer to the Spanish motor.es.
Although EU regulations are forcing manufacturers to switch to fully electric cars, it is the customers who set the speed. A large number of them still do not trust electric cars and choose ICEs or hybrids. In addition, under the pressure of the current situation with Chinese cars that are rapidly conquering the European market, Renault Group head Luca de Meo suggests that European manufacturers join forces to protect the European market.
Last month, Luca de Meo stated that Europe is facing major challenges and that the alienation and disorientation of the European automotive industry will lead to a structural trade deficit for Europe. He also warns that the phase-out of internal combustion engines, which is planned for 2035, could mean a decrease in the competitiveness of the European car industry. According to him, ICEs have been a protective barrier for Europeans for years, and now with the development of electric cars and the increased need for batteries, that protection is disappearing because the Chinese control 75 percent of global battery production.
“Speed is important against the Chinese. We are in an uncertain world. In the past, when we had cars with internal combustion engines, we could predict what was coming. Now, if you take four or five years to react, it is too late,” said de Meo.
Last year, Škoda announced the arrival of a refreshed edition of its C-segment model, the Octavia, which was the most popular car in the Czech manufacturer’s fleet last year. In 2023, Škoda achieved sales growth of 18.5% with almost 900,000 cars delivered worldwide, which is an exceptional result for a brand from the VW Group.
In 2023, Škoda achieved the highest sales in its largest market, Europe, with 712,000 units, which is 23.9% more than in 2022. When it comes to individual markets, the most cars were sold in Germany (157,800 units), followed by the domestic Czech market with 87,800 units and the UK market with 70,300. delivered cars.
The most popular Škoda model is still the Octavia, which attracts an increasing number of customers every year. In 2023, the demand for this car increased by 36% to 191,900 units sold, which is 22.1% of the total number of cars sold (866,800) of this Czech manufacturer.
When it comes to the rest of Škoda’s fleet, the highest demand was for SUV models Kamiq, which was delivered in 116,500 units, and Kodiaq, with 105,900 deliveries. Demand also increased for Skoda’s Enyaq electric car, which recorded a growth of 52.1% compared to 2022, with 81,700 units delivered.
Škoda is taking big steps to expand its business to other markets around the world, and in September last year it expanded its presence in the Vietnamese market. It was strategically important for the company to enter the market of the ASEAN region.
