New electric cars to come, a style with a strong emotional impact and great attention to innovation and environmental protection. This is what the future of ŠKODA will look like, starting with the new design language called MODERN SOLID.
Wow effectA new philosophy that will impress both customers and competitors. ŠKODA is ready for a revolution that will meet the needs of the future mobility. As announced in the NEXT LEVEL - ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 strategy, the Czech brand is focusing on the new MODERN SOLID styling course to implement the planned innovations. "There will be a real wow moment, both for customers and for our competition", emphasised ŠKODA Chairman Thomas Schäfer at the recent Annual Press Conference. |
All-round revolutionThe new MODERN SOLID design concept will not only transform the design of the cars, but the entire brand all round. "Our NEXT LEVEL strategy and overall transformation require a comprehensive design overhaul, not only with regard to products but also for the whole brand", said Martin Jahn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing. "This is the most important change for ŠKODA since it became part of the Volkswagen Group. We will redefine our purpose, positioning and the customers groups, which will shape our new brand design and design language as well as our communication." All of which, of course, confirms that the vehicles of the winged arrow will continue to put people at the centre and maintain their SIMPLY CLEVER spirit. |
Future is all-electricTurning to upcoming products, the future will see the debut of at least three new zero-emission models expected in the coming years and positioned below the ENYAQ iV. "Electrification is also starting to play an important role in some developing markets, such as India. Electric mobility is a clear path for ŠKODA, not because of pressure from the EU, but because we truly believe in it", explained CEO Thomas Schäfer. This will not mean an immediate farewell to traditional models, as demonstrated by the launch of the new FABIA, but at the same time the plug-in hybrid range will not be developed further. "PHEVs are a very expensive way of bringing down CO2 and consumption, because you technically have two systems in the car", Schäfer explained. Full electrification will also come to highly successful models such as the OCTAVIA, but we will have to wait for the next generation, because ŠKODA's approach is not to adapt the current model by adding a generously sized battery pack. "We are working on developing cars that will just fit the new era of electric and digital mobility", added Jahn. |
No hydrogen or alternative fuels
How will the ŠKODAs of the future be powered? Neither with hydrogen nor with synthetic fuels, which are not very energy-efficient and would result in higher costs for manufacturing the cars. "There’s nothing more reasonable than batteries, also thanks to the use of the MEB platform, which has enabled us to achieve great economies of scale and reduce the production costs of electric vehicles" concluded Schäfer.
ŠKODA 2021 results
Despite the very challenging environment for the entire industry and the difficulties related to the shortage of semiconductors, in 2021 ŠKODA delivered 878,200 cars to customers and recorded an operating profit of EUR 1.08 billion. The war in Ukraine and the resulting supply chain restrictions increase the level of uncertainty for 2022.
Helping refugees
The Czech manufacturer has already donated more than CZK 20 million to NGOs and ŠKODA Logistics is helping to transport material aid from the Czech Republic to Ukraine. It has also contributed to the arrival of more than 200,000 refugees within Czech borders. "Our help comes from the heart and is strategically planned; we are providing daily support and managing the situation from a long-term perspective, with integration at the fore" Schäfer announced.
Source: ŠKODA
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