We're Riding a Wave of Success. How Do We Stay on Top?
The rules of the game in the automotive industry are changing. Artificial intelligence and Chinese competition are on the rise. Yet Škoda Auto is thriving like never before. In the first months of this year, it was the second-best-selling brand in Europe. More than 650 managers discussed how to maintain this trend at the MMK conference. Here's an overview of what they covered.
Event
The Storm Does Not End – Preparedness Decides
How do you navigate a period of geopolitical shifts, the rise of artificial intelligence and growing competition? These were the questions at the heart of this year's MMK conference, attended by more than 650 managers.
This year's MMK took place at the Křižík Pavilions in Prague, and its packed programme included presentations from internal and external speakers, panel discussions, a dedicated Q&A session, and - not least - a design show, a showcase of future vehicles, and a marketplace featuring the latest news from Škoda Auto teams. The official conference motto was Stronger with every storm. The message to management members was unambiguous: everyone must take personal responsibility for the customer experience, for the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, and for building resilience - both within their teams and within themselves. It is time to step outside one's information bubble, think beyond one's own role, and ask: 'What can I and my team contribute?'
The times where we tell people what to do are over. Now we must create clarity, remove friction, and enable ownership. Less ‚control‘, more ‚enabling‘.
Klaus Zellmer
Škoda Auto CEO
Stronger With Every Storm
Škoda Auto entered 2026 from a position of strength. It has record results behind it, is the second best-selling brand in Europe and offers customers the most diverse model range in its history. Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO, nonetheless opened this year's MMK conference with a clear message: success must not become an excuse to slow down. Now is precisely the time to take personal responsibility for the next chapter of the entire company – especially knowing that the automotive business faces further storms ahead, including geopolitical ones. And we must not only weather them but use them as a springboard for further growth.
Škoda Auto in Q1 2026
+14.0%
271 900 vehicle deliveries worldwide.
+9.1%
Sales revenue 7,9 billion euros.
20.9%
Operating profit 660 million euros.
+64.4%
Net cash flow 867 million euros.
The Widest Portfolio in History
Škoda Auto offers customers a wide choice today. Setting aside body variants and focusing on individual models, once the Epiq and Peaq electric cars are launched on the Czech market, Škoda Auto will have eleven models in its line-up. Four of them will be fully electric, three plug-in hybrid and four with a combustion engine. This is one of its key advantages. At the same time, the rapid growth of eMobility is putting pressure on margins. Electrification will only be a long-term success if it goes hand in hand with efficiency, discipline and rigorous cost management.
BGC: The Ability to Win Together
The topic of the Brand Group Core volume brands group resonated strongly among managers. Its goal is to enable the VW Group to act as one team where it makes sense – faster, more efficiently and with greater strength – and in doing so to outperform the competition even more decisively. However, expanded synergies must not come at the cost of individual brand identity.
10 Shared Principles of BGC Brands
1. BGC is our Ability to Win.
2. BGC gives us Gravity.
3. BGC leads strategically.
4. Brands remain essential.
5. Decisions drive execution.
6. No redundancies.
7. Responsibility requires Authority.
8. Transparency and Clarity create Trust.
9. Talking with each other.
10. It depends on us.
Strategy Talk Outlined MMK Priorities
The second Strategy Talk gathering of the year gave employees an insight into the key topics discussed at the MMK 2026 management conference. On 1 July, Board Members Maren Gräf (People & Culture) and Holger Peters (Finance, IT and Legal Affairs), together with Stefan Wünschmann (GS – Corporate & Product Strategy), took to the stage in the Laurin & Klement Kampus conference hall. They outlined the topics that will shape the further development of Škoda Auto. The programme also included the presentation of the latest additions to the product portfolio – the Epiq and Peaq models. The gathering likewise provided space for an open discussion with management representatives and for sharing views on the challenges and opportunities facing the automotive industry in the years ahead.
China Is Changing the Rules of the Game
China's role was a major topic. After its exports to the US fell by a quarter due to last year's trade war, the export pressure on Europe intensified. Chinese carmakers are entering new markets very quickly, offering strong technology and competitive prices. They also speak a language that resonates with customers. European brands therefore need to accelerate, work more efficiently and protect their value.
Chinese brands in Europe
6%
Market share in 2024
8%
Market share in 2025
14%
Potential share by 2030
What the Guests Talked About
The external speakers gave a clear picture of the unstable situation in the automotive industry, in markets and across the world. Theodore Bunzel, Managing Director & Head of Geopolitical Advisory, Lazard, focused on how Chinese export pressure is reshaping Europe. Diplomat and analyst Tomáš Pojar spoke about the harsh reality of the global security situation. Arthur Kipferler, Partner & Managing Director, Berylls by AlixPartners, described the current state of the automotive market. Pavel Řehák, Board Chairman of Direct, stressed that successful companies must not slow down in terms of innovation and ambition.
India: Not Standing on One Leg Alone
Activities in India are crucial for Škoda Auto in terms of diversification, growth and long-term stability. And the carmaker has enormous potential there. The Indian market is vast and is on track to become the world's third-largest economic superpower. Infrastructure and technological capabilities are improving, and the middle class is growing. The country is also actively resisting the entry of Chinese carmakers into its market. The Škoda cars are growing rapidly in India, holding a market share of 1,4%, making it the top European brand there, and it is making significant progress in reducing vehicle production costs. One of the key challenges for the near future is expanding the local portfolio beyond petrol variants.
107%
Growth of the Škoda brand in India in 2025.