Skoda may pull the plug on Chinese adventure

A large part of the extensive range of brands that the Volkswagen Group has under its wing is also active in China through one or more joint ventures. In fact, in the form of Jetta, the Volkswagen Group in China even has a brand that we don’t know as such here at all. Skoda is also active in China, but CEO Klaus Zellmer tells the German Automobilwoche that the brand is currently thoroughly evaluating its Chinese branch to see if and how it wants to continue in China. The competition would be huge in China.

It is not yet certain that Skoda will turn its back on the Chinese market. It is possible that Skoda only wants to sell exported cars and therefore no longer produces the models locally. Skoda has a small market share of about 0.5 percent in China. If the Volkswagen Group puts the Skoda adventures in China on the back burner, it can, according to Automobilwoche, concentrate more on the Indian market for which Skoda is responsible within the Volkswagen Group. Skoda is also said to have set its sights on entering the Vietnamese car market. A final decision has not yet been made.

Of course, Skoda sells a set of models in China that you also know in Europe, but there are also Skodas in Chinese showrooms that are sold here in a different form or even not at all. For example, there is a Kodiaq with a more sloping roofline, the Kodiaq GT, and even a Kamiq GT. The Kamiq itself also looks different in China than in Europe. In addition to the current but extended Octavia, Skoda also sells the previous model in China with a different buttocks and there is a Rapid sedan called. Incidentally, a striking interaction between Skoda and Volkswagen in China led to the first generation Skoda Superb coming to Europe.