Czech carmaker clocks production milestone 14 years after it entered the SUV segment in 2009 with the Yeti. At present, 50 percent of Skoda sales worldwide comprise SUVs.
22 Sep 2023 | 3937 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Skoda Auto is celebrating the production of its three-millionth SUV, a black Kodiaq Sportline, which rolled off the production line at the Kvasiny plant. Thc Czech carmaker has produced the last million SUVs in just 31 months or a little over two-and-a-half years. The two-millionth Skoda SUV had rolled out ...
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Skoda Auto is celebrating the production of its three-millionth SUV, a black Kodiaq Sportline, which rolled off the production line at the Kvasiny plant. Thc Czech carmaker has produced the last million SUVs in just 31 months or a little over two-and-a-half years. The two-millionth Skoda SUV had rolled out of the main plant in Mladá Boleslav on March 1, 2021.
After Skoda first entered the SUV segment with the Skoda Yeti in 2009, the cars have quickly become an integral part of the Czech carmaker’s portfolio. Over the course of its successful SUV campaign, the Czech carmaker has introduced the Kodiaq, Karoq and Kamiq series as well as its first all-electric MEB-based SUV model, the Enyaq. Boosted by the Kushaq’s success in India, SUVs now represent nearly half of Skoda’s global sales.
Andreas Dick, Skoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics, said, “Producing three million SUVs since 2009 is a fantastic achievement for our entire team. This milestone highlights the evolution of our customers’ preferences and our flexibility in meeting their needs. Today, almost 50% of the vehicles we deliver are SUVs. Our mission is clear: We are wholly committed to electrifying our SUV lineup and adapting our production facilities. Challenge accepted!”
In the Czech Republic, Škoda manufactures the Kamiq, Enyaq, and Enyaq Coupé at the Mladá Boleslav facility, while the Karoq and Kodiaq roll off the production line in Kvasiny. Additionally, the automaker builds its SUV models in China, India, Ukraine, and Slovakia.
Yeti: The Yeti was Skoda’s first SUV model. In 2009, Skoda Auto launched what was then its fifth model series – the Yeti. The Czech car manufacturer’s first SUV was compact and boasted typical SUV characteristics such as a raised seating position and spaciousness, complemented by Simply Clever features like VarioFlex rear seats. With more than 684,000 units produced, the Yeti’s production concluded in 2018.
Kodiaq: The Kodiaq made its global debut in September 2016. The Kodiaq vRS, introduced in autumn 2018, was the first SUV in the sporty Skoda vRS family. To date, more than 841,000 units of the brand’s largest SUV have been produced. In the coming weeks, the company is set to unveil the second-generation Kodiaq, which will feature a plug-in hybrid variant with an electric range exceeding 100km.
With 705,800 units, the Karoq accounts for 23% of Skoda SUVs produced.
Karoq: In 2017, Škoda presented the Karoq as the second model in its SUV line-up. This compact model quickly became a cornerstone of Škoda’s current portfolio, with over 705,000 units produced. By 2021, the Karoq was available in 60 countries and ranked third in terms of total deliveries after the best-selling Octavia and the Kamiq city SUV. The 2022 update introduced a more refined design language and incorporated sustainable materials.
Kamiq: With the Kamiq, Skoda added an SUV series in the rapidly growing city SUV segment to its line-up. Since its 2019 launch, over 537,000 units of the Kamiq, including the Kamiq GT in China, have rolled off the production line. This success positioned it as Škoda’s best-selling SUV in both 2021 and 2022. In August, Skoda showcased updated versions of the Kamiq, featuring improvements in design, safety, and connectivity.
Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé: In September 2020, Skoda marked a pivotal moment in its e-mobility strategy by launching the Enyaq, its first production model based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB). In January 2022, the Enyaq Coupé was introduced, boasting an emotive design, sporty aesthetics, and a roomy interior. To date, over 166,000 units of the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé have been produced at the Mladá Boleslav plant.
Kushaq: Introduced in 2021, the made-in-India-for-India Skoda Kushaq is the brand’s first locally manufactured model in India. With close to 64,000 units produced since its launch, the Kushaq underscores the company’s commitment to the Indian market. Leveraging existing synergies for dynamic growth markets, the first Kushaq vehicles from the Pune plant will be exported to Vietnam as CKD (Completely Knocked Down) units, set for final assembly there from the second half of 2024 onwards.
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