Skoda wants to a top 5 brand in Europe

Skoda New Zealand is impressing customers with the Octavia RS. Photo: Andrei Diomidov Photography

Skoda aims to pass Ford and Toyota to be among Europe's top five best-selling brands by 2030, CEO Thomas Schaefer said.

The target is part of Skoda's Strategy 2030 plan that has just been revealed and will be achieved by "further strengthening the brand's position in the entry-level segments," Schaefer told journalists during an online presentation.

Schaefer referenced the new Fabia small car which goes on sale later this year with an entry price of below €14,000 euros (NZ$23,000). In New Zealand, the current Fabia is priced from $29,990 for the Monte Carlo model.

Skoda is currently Europe's No. 8 brand by unit sales based on 2020 data from industry association ACEA, which counts registrations in the European Union, EFTA and the UK markets, says Europe Auto News.

Skoda would have to overtake Ford and Toyota to reach the top five. Volkswagen brand was the top-selling marque last year, followed by Renault, Peugeot, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Skoda was the second best-selling brand in Volkswagen Group's brand portfolio across Europe over the year, second only to the group's namesake passenger-car brand, says Europe Auto News.

In New Zealand, Skoda is making waves thanks to winning the contract for Police vehicles plus is finding new customers with the Octavia.