Škoda was advising customers from August to get their 231 orders in early and the result will be record new year deliveries, says John Donegan, Brand Director-Škoda, at Škoda Ireland.
WHAT TRENDS HAVE YOU NOTED ABOUT CAR BUYER PREFERENCES?
In 2022 new car customers seeking a particular model in a certain colour or engine variant had to contact several dealers in order to track down a suitable vehicle to purchase from stock. Not so in Škoda! We are the only mainstream car brand in Ireland that displays all our unsold new cars online.
With this superior online customer experience, we have a huge advantage over our competitors. We intend to enhance this facility in 2023, providing customers with the option to reserve a vehicle at a dealer with a small online deposit.
HOW IS YOUR SUPPLY LINE OF NEW VEHICLES?
The global semi-conductor shortage is likely to continue and affect not just Škoda but the industry again in 2023. Our challenge is compounded further with high demand for Škoda products on the continent and worldwide. Considering these factors, we have had to manage our supply very carefully, and our marketing campaigns for 2023 commenced in August 2022.
We were very clear with our customers and encouraged early ordering in order to avoid delays. We have received a tremendous response and will go into 2023 year with record customer orders that will be delivered early in 2023.
WHAT CAN MOTORISTS CAN EXPECT FROM THE FORTHCOMING SKODA VISION 7S DESIGN LANGUAGE?
The Škoda brand will be refreshed in 2023 with a new corporate identity including a new communication style and new brand logos. The Škoda Vison 7S is an electric, 7-seat concept design study that gives an indication of the brand’s future design direction. We expect to see a fully electric 7-seat Škoda on the Irish market in 2025.
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WHAT ELECTRIC ŠKODA WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
The Škoda Enyaq is our flagship model. It has received numerous international awards and most recently was awarded Ireland’s best electric vehicle by the AA. In 2022 we introduced the Enyaq 80x with 4x4 capability. It is an exceptional vehicle and delivers increased acceleration times and superior road holding. With 521km of battery range it does not compromise on efficiency.
WHAT WAS ŠKODA’S MOST POPULAR MODEL IN 2022?
The Škoda Kodiaq, and it is quite likely to top the Škoda leader board again in 2023. Families love the Kodiaq for its versatility and durability. It is crammed with specification and features and is one of the most handsome cars in its class.
WHICH EXECUTIVE MODEL DO YOU RECOMMEND?
The Škoda Superb is unrivalled in terms of luggage capacity and interior space. It is available in saloon or Combi estate and is renowned for its quality and reliability. The 2.0 TDI 150bhp in combination with our DSG transmission is a favourite with fleets concerned with total cost of ownership.
The Superb is also available in a SportLine version as well as a luxurious and heavily specified Laurin and Klement variant that can go toe to toe with the finest rivals from Stuttgart and Bavaria.
All Superbs provide comfort on long journeys. Make it a SportLine Superb and you have dynamic road holding and sporty good looks. All SportLine Škodas come with LED Matrix headlights that have to be experienced to be appreciated. Most of all it is one of only a few cars that can transport four adults and four golf bags with ease.
WHAT NEW MODELS ARE ON THE WAY FROM ŠKODA IN 2023?
We will extend SportLine into the Octavia model range in early 2023. Positioned below the RS, the Octavia Sportline will share similar design features but with less power and pace. The end result is an even more attractive price point for customers who are not performance focused.
In the second half of 2023 we will launch the fasted accelerating Škoda ever, with the fully electric Enyaq RS. We also have the stylish Enyaq Coupe arriving to offer customers even more electric options.
Photos: Conor McCabe
