Following extract from speech by Skoda CEO Thomas Schäfer

 

ŠKODA’s CEO also stressed that the brand will not further develop its plug-in hybrid range. “Plug-in hybrids are a very expensive way of bringing down CO₂ and consumption, because you technically have two systems in the car,” he explained. Plug-in hybrids are also not as effective in reducing fleet average CO2 emissions, he said. Current plug-in hybrids remain on offer, but electric vehicles are the future. In the future, full electrification will therefore also apply to the OCTAVIA, the brand’s best-selling model, according to Schäfer and Jahn. 

 

But it is still too early to expect any definitive announcements in this regard. “The ŠKODA OCTAVIA, specifically the combi, is part of the core of our brand and rest assured that bringing this brand to the next level and into the next decade will require electrification of all our models,” said Schäfer. “We are not thinking about electrifying the current OCTAVIA and putting batteries into it as it is. We are trying to develop cars that will just fit the new era of electric and digital mobility,” Jahn added. 
 

According to Martin Jahn, ŠKODA board member for sales and marketing, MODERN SOLID is not just about the look of the cars. “Our new NEXT LEVEL strategy and the overall transformation demands a comprehensive design overhaul, not only with regard to products but also the whole brand,” Jahn said. “This shift represents the most dramatic change for ŠKODA since it became a part of Volkswagen Group. We will newly define our purpose, positioning and customer groups, which will shape our new brand design and design language as well as our communication,” Jahn added. Having said that, Jahn stressed that ŠKODA cars would remain people-centric, family-oriented, and SIMPLY CLEVER.

 

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/skoda-world/the-future-is-modern-solid/

 

There is also some doubt about how long the plug in hybrids will be available, it seems as though new orders for Superb iV are at least 12 months and Octavia iV could be 18 months, both due to parts supply issues.  There are reports from some countries that order books for these are effectively closed until further notice.  The hint in the speech is they are not worth continuing from a manufactures perspective.

 

Edited 3 April, 20224 yr by SurreyJohn

Wonder if this has any correlation to the recall across the group on plug ins. 

 

VW Group recall 100,000 cars

Do they realise electric cars won't suit everyone? 

If 'they' are the car manufacturers then yes they do,

but the EU Governments decided from 2035 & the UK Government from 2030 have decided anyone wanting to buy ICE cars or vans the choice will be to get used ones.  Manufacturers have to plan accordingly how their development & production goes and when they stop building ICE vehicles.

Edited 3 April, 20224 yr by roottoot