Skoda is not afraid of the advance of Chinese cars

At the end of April, Skoda presented four new electric cars from the brand. The manufacturer is investing 5.6 billion euros in electric mobility, but also knows that competition from Chinese cars will be tough.

For example, although not everyone is ready to drive a car made in China, with the 4 Electric MG is showing that it can beat the European competition. For example in this double test with the DS 3.

European brands will suffer from the rise of Chinese cars

Martin Jahn, Head of Sales and Marketing at Skoda, sees the rise of Chinese cars as a threat to many established brands. “In any case, we will see that European brands that are now serving this segment will suffer,” he tells Autovisie.

Jahn argues that Skoda must build quality cars and remain a strong brand to withstand Asian competition, particularly from China. “Price competition has its limits, we need to make a profit on EVs to fund the transition and recoup the gigantic investment.”

Skoda itself has no big plans to conquer the world or serve large Asian markets. “We are concentrating on markets like India and Vietnam, but our main market is Europe and it will stay that way,” says Jahn.

end of the fuel engine

“We will not become an EV brand with Skoda as quickly as possible,” says Jahn. “In our part of Europe, the transition is slower anyway. (…) However, I do not expect that we will continue to produce new fuel engines. The current ones will continue to be adapted to the emission standards for as long as possible. With minor adjustments, the Volkswagen/Skoda engines can also be made suitable for synthetic fuels. The electric cars like the Elroq will be electric equivalents of an existing fuel variant by 2035. They are expected to replace it after 2035,” concludes the Skoda board member.