Have Skoda been told to tone it down?
Discussion
I'm wondering if Skoda have been given the "get off our patch" talk by VW.
Previous generation Skodas have been great, they're relatively good to look at, good to drive and amazing value for money. In many instances, I'd take the Skoda version of a car over the VW version. However, the new Rapid and Octavia look like they've been designed to look cheap.
Like I say, I'm wondering if they've been told by VW to make sure their future cars stay down market. Does anyone know if there's anything in this?
Previous generation Skodas have been great, they're relatively good to look at, good to drive and amazing value for money. In many instances, I'd take the Skoda version of a car over the VW version. However, the new Rapid and Octavia look like they've been designed to look cheap.
Like I say, I'm wondering if they've been told by VW to make sure their future cars stay down market. Does anyone know if there's anything in this?
IIRC, there were reports in the motoring press about a year or so ago, that Skoda had been told to reduce the level of equipment fitted as standard and the quality of some materials used in the interior of its cars as they were seen by VW as getting too close and risking 'stealing' sales from them.
The theory being that Skoda was meant to be a value brand, not a VW for a couple of £k less.
The theory being that Skoda was meant to be a value brand, not a VW for a couple of £k less.
Riley Blue said:
Where does SEAT fit into the VAG hierachy? Above or below Skoda?
I know things have got more blurred between VW, Skoda and SEAT, but skoda used to be the sportier brand and Skoda was cheaper/better value. Skoda VRS models messed that up a bit, and the SEAT Cupra models don't seem to be mentioned so much as hot hatches now. I think the original intention was for SEAT to be VW's Alfa Romeo type brand, but it hasn't worked out. They do need to go back and define the brands at the moment, maybe telling Skoda to back off it part of this. Maybe Skoda should tell VW to up THEIR game...
Looks like a case of sour grapes from VW management..... Buy struggling car company, turn it around, but forget to keep own product line fresh and inviting.
Maybe they will stop making bland euroboxes and relying on their name to sell.cars....
Well done to Skoda..... They have come a long way over the last few years.
Looks like a case of sour grapes from VW management..... Buy struggling car company, turn it around, but forget to keep own product line fresh and inviting.
Maybe they will stop making bland euroboxes and relying on their name to sell.cars....
Well done to Skoda..... They have come a long way over the last few years.
I see it as this
Audi - The prestige market for people wanting to appear wealthy
VW - Middle class market - where its 'just a reliable stylish car'
Skoda - The value seeking, practical car buying nerdy types or old people
SEAT - The racy brand with more styling flare to appeal to the younger market
Audi - The prestige market for people wanting to appear wealthy
VW - Middle class market - where its 'just a reliable stylish car'
Skoda - The value seeking, practical car buying nerdy types or old people
SEAT - The racy brand with more styling flare to appeal to the younger market
onesickpuppy said:
Am I alone in being unable to think of Skoda as anything but cheap, unreliable crap built on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain? Maybe it's just an age thing (I'm 40 next month). I remember them being on the same level as Lada.
Not alone, but in a diminishing minority. Badge snobbery is always hard to overcome but they've done a remarkable job of it so far. I would take an Octavia over a Golf, A3 or Leon even if they were the same price. I just think it's a better car.
Riley Blue said:
Where does SEAT fit into the VAG hierachy? Above or below Skoda?
It doesn't, really.Seat has a limited amount of tries at this before VW group pull the plug; they are the only major brand in the group to make consistent losses. (Bentley makes a loss too, but not a big one, and it's in a prestige a niche where that sort of thing can be lived with for a while).
C
kambites said:
onesickpuppy said:
Am I alone in being unable to think of Skoda as anything but cheap, unreliable crap built on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain? Maybe it's just an age thing (I'm 40 next month). I remember them being on the same level as Lada.
Not alone, but in a diminishing minority. Badge snobbery is always hard to overcome but they've done a remarkable job of it so far. I would take an Octavia over a Golf, A3 or Leon even if they were the same price. I just think it's a better car.
Onesickpuppy: you need to try a skoda from this era. Your view is totally out of date. (full disclosure: my missus ran an octavia for ages, her folks still do, her sis has a Fabia. They are all good cars).
C
onesickpuppy said:
Am I alone in being unable to think of Skoda as anything but cheap, unreliable crap built on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain? Maybe it's just an age thing (I'm 40 next month). I remember them being on the same level as Lada.
They're mechanically identical to other VAG group cars and have been for over a decade. Your view is not only outdated, it's bizarre given the facts. onesickpuppy said:
Am I alone in being unable to think of Skoda as anything but cheap, unreliable crap built on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain? Maybe it's just an age thing (I'm 40 next month). I remember them being on the same level as Lada.
Are you serious? Have you been in or driven any Skoda built in the last 10 years? Even the Felicia from the mid 90s was regarded at the time as a decent, solidly built little car.Mr Wolf said:
I see it as this
Audi - The prestige market for people wanting to appear wealthy
VW - Middle class market - where its 'just a reliable stylish car'
Skoda - The value seeking, practical car buying nerdy types or old people
SEAT - The racy brand with more styling flare to appeal to the younger market
After visiting the Skoda stand at Goodwood, I'd say it's Skoda who are trying to enter the younger market. Audi - The prestige market for people wanting to appear wealthy
VW - Middle class market - where its 'just a reliable stylish car'
Skoda - The value seeking, practical car buying nerdy types or old people
SEAT - The racy brand with more styling flare to appeal to the younger market
danyeates said:
After visiting the Skoda stand at Goodwood, I'd say it's Skoda who are trying to enter the younger market.
Don't know what you mean by that, but if I'm right in what I'm thinking, at a place like goodwood, you would expect them to be pimping out Octavia & Fabia VRS's, and not citigo's or roomsters.danyeates said:
After visiting the Skoda stand at Goodwood, I'd say it's Skoda who are trying to enter the younger market.
With the new Fabia id totally agree, could see a major shift in Skoda's intentions and marketing with that car. Potentially a sign that the time is up for Seat if Skoda starts moving into that segment and advertising as SEAT always has. Then again the Spanish sector is knackered for car sales at the moment which is SEAT's biggest market so that wont help and im sure VW doesnt want the egg on face of not getting a brand to work.
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