· All efforts channelled into further growth following record 2010
· New corporate design and new logo epitomize the next stage of brand development
· Design concept sheds light on brand’s new design architecture
· ŠKODA Motorsport in the fast lane
ŠKODA targets further growth
Following the extremely dynamic developments in the past 20 years, and after chalking up the best sales result in the history of the company in 2010, the Czech car manufacturer has set its sights on new targets, aiming to at least double its sales by 2018. ŠKODA’s latest exposition at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show underlines the brand’s ambition. Alongside its current range of models, the carmaker is presenting a concept incorporating elements of fresh, modern design architecture for future models together with the brand’s updated logo. ŠKODA clearly spells out the company’s new direction over the 1,918 m2 of its stand in Hall 2. Twenty years after merging with Volkswagen, the Czech automaker is about to write a new chapter in its successful history. ŠKODA is also in the fast lane of motor sport, a strategy represented by the sporty Fabia Monte Carlo, which is celebrating its premiere in Geneva.
Best sales result in the company’s history
The sales results of the carmaker with the winged arrow in its logo have kept to a straight road of growth in recent years, and 2010 was no exception, with the company recording its best sales ever. With 762,600 vehicles sold (2009: 684,200), the largest Czech car manufacturer achieved 11.5% growth and crossed the three quarters of a million threshold for the first time. Winfried Vahland, Chairman of ŠKODA, believes this result is an important step forward in the company’s growth strategy: “ŠKODA turned in an excellent performance in 2010. We consolidated and increased our market share significantly in almost all our markets. Our results again reported double-digit growth. In our most important growth markets, the rise even broke through 40%.”
ŠKODA’s growth strategy up to 2018: new markets, new models, higher sales
Recent achievements have laid solid foundations for further growth. The ambitious “ŠKODA Growth Strategy” aims to make the company even stronger in the coming years and will make a significant contribution to Volkswagen’s “Strategy 2018”. By 2018, sales should have increased to at least 1.5 million cars. “Building on the successful recovery of this legendary Central European brand, in the next few years we are eager to shift up a gear. By 2018, ŠKODA will at least double its sales, expand its presence on growth markets and launch numerous new products,” stressed the ŠKODA chief Vahland.
Crisp corporate design and new logo
The new corporate design, first presented to the public in Geneva, is more advanced and crisper. “With our new-look corporate identity we want to show that our company is continuing to evolve,” explains ŠKODA Chairman Winfried Vahland. The new logo has a clearer, more precise feel. It will be used by the producer, importers and dealers in their internal and external communications. The ŠKODA logo, with its winged arrow central motif, has been given a makeover with fresh colours, while the new ŠKODA PRO font represents new values. For advertising, publications, press releases and other forms of communication, all this points to the fact that ŠKODA is marching forward and portraying itself in a more modern and youthful form. The new look will also be phased in at ŠKODA dealers as the showroom architecture and exterior design of their establishments are revamped in accordance with new guidelines.
Design concept offers insight into the future design of ŠKODA cars
The design concept presented in Geneva offers a first look at future design elements and their further development in future models. Eckhard Scholz, ŠKODA board member responsible for technical development, explains: “ŠKODA cars are already attractive to look at, and in the future they will express ŠKODA’s brand values even more distinctly. Our future models will carry a clear message, symbolizing power and precision, with room for emotion too. The combination of heart and mind will be perfect.”
The design concept is dominated by clearly defined, precise shapes created with great care and attention to detail. As the focus is on the clarity of design, this vehicle symbolizes the brand’s authentic position. The harmony of proportions, well-executed distribution of surfaces and edges, and light and shadow play also lend the car attractiveness, dynamism and excellence. The new logo presented in the design concept, which will adorn new models as of 2012, has a clearer structure and gives a more valuable impression. With the distinctive logo, the newly shaped grille and the quatrefoil shape of the four headlamps, the distinctive design is all the more pronounced at the front of the car. The rear portion of the design concept is unmistakable thanks to the new logo and the even more striking arrangement of the C-shaped rear lamps.
Fabia Monte Carlo makes its first motor show appearance
In 2011, ŠKODA is celebrating “110 Years of Motor Sport”. To mark the occasion, and as a tribute to the brand’s major achievements in automobile racing, the sporty Fabia Monte Carlo will be put on show in Geneva. A sports chassis and numerous sporty features are delivered as standard in this new car. The Fabia Monte Carlo is distinguished by its dynamic look, replete with black accessories and the established RS interior. This new model also underscores ŠKODA’s future sporting ambitions. After a thoroughly successful 2010, the carmaker is pulling out all the stops again as it seeks to defend its IRC title. Freddy Loix’s second place in a Fabia Super 2000 at the 100th Rally Monte Carlo in late January was a great start to the new season.
