Škoda to expand EV line-up under plans to become top five brand

Škoda is targeting to become one of the five best-selling car manufacturers in Europe, powered by new electric cars and digital experiences.

The ‘Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030’ strategy is focused on ensuring success through the decade of transformation

Its new ‘Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030’ corporate strategy builds on the successes of the previous Strategy 2025 and sets out a new mission of ‘Modern accessible mobility with everything you need and surprises you love.’

The new strategy focuses on three priorities: ‘Expand’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Engage’.

Using the ‘Expand’ and ‘Explore’ mantras, the Czech car manufacturer aims to be one of the five best-selling brands in Europe by 2030 and to become the leading European brand in the growth regions of India, Russia and North Africa.

This will be achieved by further strengthening the brand’s position in the entry-level segments.

But the product portfolio will also expand to include at least three more all-electric models by 2030, which will be positioned below the Enyaq iV, both in terms of price and size. The carmaker is aiming for a share of fully electric models of 50-70% in Europe, depending on market developments. It also said that by gradually electrifying the model range, the complexity of the offering is to be reduced by 40% in the medium term.

Škoda is also working to develop its domestic market, the Czech Republic, into an electromobility hub in order to safeguard jobs and create new employment opportunities.

The brand is also upping the game on its sustainability efforts and tightening its environmental targets. The company aims to reduce its fleet emissions by more than 50% compared to 2020 and will manufacture vehicles with net-zero carbon emissions at all Czech and Indian plants from 2030 onwards.

And under its third priority, ‘Engage’, Škoda will look to become the benchmark for a ‘Simply Clever User Experience’ in the digital age. It says every customer should be able to operate a Škoda or a Škoda service intuitively from the outset.

One of its first projects is the PowerPass, which makes charging an electric Škoda model straightforward and convenient and will be available in over 30 markets, covering more than 210,000 charging points in Europe.

At the same time, Škoda will evolve the buying experience. The company is expanding its virtual showroom concept and has set itself the goal of selling one in five Škodas online as early as 2025.

Specific goals for sustainability and diversity are also firmly anchored in the new strategy. The implementation will focus on two core principles of efficiency and simplicity.

Škoda CEO Thomas Schäfer said, “With our new Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030, we are providing specific answers on how we will successfully steer Škoda Auto through the transformation process and ensure that the company will be in an even stronger position in 2030 than it is today. The brand has incredible potential. We will be leveraging this in the coming years and setting ourselves ambitious goals.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.