More International, More Electrified and MORE DIGITISED
CZECH CARMAKER PRESENTS ITS NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 FOR THE CURRENT DECADE
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y 2030, ŠKODA AUTO intends to become one of the five best-selling car brands in Europe and the leading European brand in India, Russia and North Africa. This is part of the new strategy, NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030, which the CEO, Thomas Schäfer, introduced to the company’s management on 23 June 2021 and, the following day, to journalists and the public. The programme is the result of the work of more than 50 experts across the carmaker. It was established to successfully transform society and develop it in the fields of internationalisation, electrification and digitisation. The new strategy also firmly enshrines specific goals to support ecology and diversity.
Securing the future in the domestic market
Together with other business partners, representatives from the political sphere and the VW Group, ŠKODA AUTO plans to transform the Czech Republic into a centre for the development of electromobility and, thus, secure existing jobs and create new ones. Specifically, by 2030, all three Czech production plants are expected to produce electric cars or components for them. To secure the future on the European markets and in the Czech Republic, the ŠKODA brand will introduce at least three new purely electric models by 2030, which will be positioned below the ENYAQ iV, both in terms of price and size. In addition, the Czech carmaker is working with its partners to strengthen a stable supply structure for the further electromobility development.
Developing market potential
The offensive in the regions, for which ŠKODA AUTO has taken over responsibility within the VW Group, will contribute to the global sales potential of 1.5 million cars per year. Recently, production of the KUSHAQ model began – it is the first ŠKODA car that was developed for the Indian market as part of the INDIA 2.0 project (more on page 8). In the medium term, it is planned to launch this model in other growth markets as well.
Ensuring a great customer experience
The Czech carmaker also wants to focus on customer experience. Every customer should be able to control their new ŠKODA car or service on the very first try and intuitively. The first such project is POWERPASS (see the June 2021 issue of ŠKODA Mobil), which enables simple and convenient electrified car charging. It should be even more pleasant to purchase a car. The carmaker is further expanding the concept of the virtual showroom and aims to sell every fifth car online by 2025.
Creating diversity and better education
The NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 also puts diversity at the forefront: By 2030, every fourth managerial position should be held by a woman. For ŠKODA AUTO, diversity, inclusion and equality are natural parts of a corporate culture characterised by openness and tolerance. As part of the transformation process, the Czech carmaker will continue to support employee training and intends to invest almost EUR 500 million (around CZK 13 billion) in this area between 2022 and 2030, with the main goal of securing jobs in the future.
Betting on efficiency and simplification
In its effort to reach the strategic goals, ŠKODA AUTO is also focusing on efficiency and simplification – these are two traditional strengths that have brought the Czech carmaker many successes over its long history. The aim is to achieve the lowest costs among European competitors – for example, through internal digitisation, smart automation and data analytics. The carmaker has already taken steps to simplify its processes and reduce bureaucracy and complexity, thereby further increasing its ability to respond flexibly to current challenges. One example is the modification of the range of versions or trims upon request: With the further expansion of electrification in the model range, the complexity of the offering should be reduced by 40 percent in the medium term. ED
With the new strategy, we answer the questions of how we will successfully lead ŠKODA AUTO through the transformation process and ensure that it is even stronger in 2030 than it is today.
Thomas Schäfer
CEO of ŠKODA AUTO
You will find more information on the NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA Strategy 2030 by logging in here.
The path among the five best-selling brands in Europe leads through the strengthening of the position in the segment of available cars, excellent customer experience and electrification of the portfolio.
The carmaker’s goals for 2030
3
at least three new purely electric models
50–70%
Market share of battery-powered EVs in the EU
> 50 %
reduction of fleet emissions compared with 2020
> 8 %
minimum return of sales
Leading European brand in India, Russia and North Africa
Main priorities
Expand
Become one of the five best-selling brands in the EU by offering attractive variants of available cars and a strong electrified model portfolio.
Explore
Be the leading European brand in India, Russia and North Africa and take further responsibility within the VW Group. We will increase our global sales potential to 1.5 million cars per year.
Engage
Be the Simply Clever User Experience benchmark, introduce carbon-neutral production in Czech and Indian plants by 2030 and strengthen diversity.