Skoda Auto is going to produce models that run purely on electric at their Mlada Boleslav site. As of 2019, the brand will also be manufacturing electrical components for plug-in hybrids. The production of electric vehicles and parts is a significant step in the implementation of the brand's future strategy. "Skoda's future will be electric," says CEO Bernhard Maier. "By 2025, we plan to offer five purely electrically powered models in various segments. We are pleased that the first all-electric Skoda will be built in the Czech Republic. This decision underlines the Group's confidence in the Skoda workforce. This is an important step for the future of the Skoda brand and the Czech Republic as an automotive location."
In addition to producing electric cars, the Mlada Boleslav plant will also be manufacturing electrical components for plug-in hybrid models of several Volkswagen Group brands as early as 2019. Skoda also said that its first electric model will be launched in 2019 and it will be the Superb plug-in hybrid and it will roll off the Kvasiny plant production line. Mlada Boleslav will then manufacture the first purely battery electric model in 2020.
Other key areas of action include digitising products and processes, which has already started in India. Skoda even has plans to bring in a low cost car to the Indian market which will be based on a modified platform of the MQB A0 and work is already underway to make this a possibility. As far as introducing electric cars in the Indian market goes, well, it will depend on the growth of infrastructure we see in the next decade and of course Skoda will have the bandwidth then to bring its cars to India.
