Skoda considering a pick-up
Volkswagen ute and vans could form the basis of a Czech commercial vehicle rangeSkoda's model range could one day be expanded to include commercial vehicles based on vehicles like the Volkswagen Amarok, Caddy, Transporter and Crafter.
Although he cautioned it wouldn't happen any time soon, Skoda Auto sales and marketing board member Werner Eichhorn has confirmed the VW-owned Czech car-maker is considering the eventual addition of a range of utes and vans.
"Right now if we do a new strategy we can dream about it," he told motoring.com.au at last week's Paris motor show.
"Of course we can think about everything but finally the feasibility and then the profitability check – the question is how far can you expand the brand.
"Why not in 20 years to be there, but right now we have to be realistic. If we further extend our product range, let's find out."
Eichhorn cautioned that European-made commercials would be a tough sell in North America, where homegrown picks-up like the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado have long been more popular than cars from the same brands due to their low cost.
"Around the world in North America and the Asian region there are millions of pick-ups on the road, but we have to find out how the business model really works," he said.
"In the US the local producers are protected and a lot of foreign brands try to go in and mainly fail."
Skoda's global sales and marketing chief said making a profitable business case for an Amarok-based Skoda one-tonner wouldn't be easy for a relatively low-volume and low-profile company like Volkswagen's Czech sister brand.
"We have to analyse what is really possible for a small brand like Skoda and what it really means to go into another big market [segment].
"Can you imagine from zero image and awareness to go elsewhere? It's really a huge investment in product and brand. Right now we are quite happy with the profitability but we don’t want to overestimate it."
Eichhorn provided the same answer when asked about a commercial van range based on Volkswagen's well established models.
"As I said right now we are thinking about it, but nothing is decided yet. It's too early to talk about it. We have to analyse."
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