PRAGUE – Skoda expects 30 percent of sales of its latest-generation Octavia to be electrified versions.
The Octavia will have mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions for the first time to enhance the compact car’s appeal to its core business customers because of their lower CO2 emissions and better fuel economy.
Sales to business fleets account for about 65 percent of the Octavia’s volume in Europe.
The Octavia is Skoda’s "icon," CEO Bernhard Maier said at the unveiling of the fourth generation of the car in Prague on Monday. Maier expects the Octavia to remain Skoda’s best-selling model.
The Octavia accounts for one-fortieth of exports from the Czech Republic. The car’s importance to the Czech economy was underlined by the presence of the country’s prime minister, Andrej Babis, at the unveiling.
Skoda sales and marketing chief Alain Favey said the addition of hybrid versions will be a key driver of future sales. “Company car drivers are a very important part of the business for us and so we are happy to have a car with real arguments in its favor, not only in terms of price but also in CO2 emissions and driver assistance,” Favey said.
The hybrid drivetrains will be available for the hatchback and station wagon variants.