VW News: Skoda To Make A Decision On U.S. Next Year

[William Maley]

Skoda has been cagey with saying when a possible decision of selling vehicles in U.S. will come. Ask anyone at the Czech automaker and they'll say there isn't a timeframe. It seems now there is a timeframe.

German business daily Handelsblatt recently talked with Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier. During their talk, Maier revealed a decision for the U.S. will happen sometime next year.

“In the course of the coming year, we want to decide on the question of North America,” said Maier.

“When we talk about our plans until 2025, then you cannot leave out one of the most important car markets in the world. Therefore, we examine under what conditions and with what cars the entrance to the U.S. market would be possible.”

Skoda wants to be in 120 global markets by 2025. At the moment, Skoda is in 102 markets. This will grow next year as the brand will enter Iran, South Korea, and Singapore.

Source: Handelsblatt (Global Edition)

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[G. David Felt]

Could Skoda be the new VW? Could they leverage and change the signage at the VW dealerships to Skoda Signage?

 

That is one way to change the marketing message and still move metal. 

[oldshurst442]

The way I see it...

It is the ONLY way VAG could survive without breaking up/selling its brands...

 

SKODA does not have any recognition in North America though.

They have to start small, like Hyundai did in the 1980s. Like VW did themselves in North America in the 1950s and 1960s. Quite possibly with the funny, quirky commercials.

 

I definitely could see SKODA as the new VW for North America.

With a clean sheet.

Like I said though without any arrogance.

Really start off clean without the VW missteps in North America.

[G. David Felt]

The way I see it...

It is the ONLY way VAG could survive without breaking up/selling its brands...

 

SKODA does not have any recognition in North America though.

They have to start small, like Hyundai did in the 1980s. Like VW did themselves in North America in the 1950s and 1960s. Quite possibly with the funny, quirky commercials.

 

I definitely could see SKODA as the new VW for North America.

With a clean sheet.

Like I said though without any arrogance.

Really start off clean without the VW missteps in North America.

VW still has minimal recognition. Amazing ot hear people talk about VW and comment how does it survive? Their advertising is pathetic to non-existent. They screwed themselves with the diesel issue, I really wonder how they can survive outside of the really die hard fans.

[Suaviloquent]

Skoda is just a cut rate VW, and the biggest thing about VW's is their abhorrent lack of design effort at all. Or the lack of German engineering that is actually superior in most of their conventional N/A style lineup. The Golf and Golf Wagon are awesome though.

 

Well, actually, I take some more of that back. The Passat is a very nice family sedan. But the VR6 option is expensive, catering to a client that no longer exists, because the people who want an expensive Passat are the same people who hated how much watered down it became in the current gen.

 

Also, VW will do whatever it takes to protect Audi in North America. But I'm not sure if it's really worth it at all, they could be selling the Euro Passat here, everyone would be placated because it has the same virtual cockpit like Audi, and looks like a premium sedan.

[daves87rs]

Would be interesting, that is for sure....