Skoda SUV coupe no longer China-only

Skoda has announced it has reversed a decision to only sell its forthcoming Kodiaq-based coupe in China.

Originally, at last month's Paris motor show, the Czech car-maker confirmed it was readying both a new SUV coupe (based on its seven-seat Kodiaq) and a smaller SUV, but surprised the world's press when it said both models would only be made and sold in China.

The reason wasn't explained at the show but it's now thought the Kodiaq coupe, plus a sub-Yeti SUV, are key to sustaining record sales in China and now take priority over vehicles launched in European and overseas markets.

Last year a third of all Skodas sold globally (more than 300,000 vehicles) found Chinese homes, and it was thought a lack of capacity at its Chinese plants ruled out exporting vehicles from China.

Now the car-maker has had a change of heart by announcing that the Kodiaq coupe will, after all, be sold in Europe.

If confirmed for right-hand drive production and sales in the UK market it’s almost certain a sportier version of the Kodiaq will be a top priority for Skoda Australia.

Claimed to be slightly larger than its more premium rivals like the Range Rover Evoque and BMW X4, the Kodiaq coupe is said to focus on style, rather than space, practicality and price.

Announcing the company's change of heart, the Czech car-maker's R&D board member, Christian Strube, told Auto Express: “We would like to have this car in Europe, yes".

According to Strube, where to make the SUV coupe remains a challenge in Europe as Skoda is struggling for capacity, but the senior Skoda exec said that discussions have already begun to find space on its assembly lines.

Currently, Skoda has three factories in the Czech Republic (two car factories and one transmission plant) and one small plant in Bratislava where the tiny Citigo supermini is made.

It also has two facilities in India, two more in Russia and three co-owned plants in China.

Likely to share engines and transmissions with the Kodiaq the coupe SUV is expected to follow the all-new Yeti replacement that's scheduled to arrive in 2017.

Also due in 2017 is the firm's first Nissan JUKE compact SUV rival.

Skoda hopes that by offering four SUVs within its existing range of hatches, wagons and sedans it will increase global sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2020.