Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automakers
September 19, 2019 06:06 AM

VW to make decision on new Europe plant by October

Nick Gibbs
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Skoda's CEO said that the Skoda Karoq and Seat Ateca (pictured) were "most likely" to be built in the new plant.

    KVASINY, Czech Republic -- Volkswagen Group will decide where to build a new European multibrand plant by the end of October, said Skoda's production boss, Michael Oeljeklaus.

    The search has been narrowed to two sites in Turkey and another in the EU, Oeljeklaus said. He did not name the EU location but reports have said VW is looking at a location in Bulgaria.

    VW brand will lead the plant's development but production will be shared with Skoda, Oeljeklaus said.

    "We have increased capacity in the last couple of years in our existing plants, but we are really, really full," Oeljeklaus told Automotive News Europe at a press event here on Wednesday.

    Skoda's capacity squeeze in Europe cost it 100,000 sales in 2018 and the same will be true for 2019, the brand's CEO, Bernhard Maier, said in April.

    Skoda built a record 886,100 vehicles in 2018 at its Mlada Boleslav and Kvasiny plants in the Czech Republic.

    Turkey is said to be VW's favored location for the factory but another site in Bulgaria is also being considered, according to reports.

    VW is worried about steep Turkish taxes on larger cars limit most buyers and local producers to smaller engine sizes. Cars with engines of less than 1.6-liters made up 96 percent of Turkey's new car market in 2018.

    Turkey is trying to find a formula to address VW's concerns without putting existing automakers at a disadvantage, Reuters reported earlier this month.

    Maier said in April that the Skoda Karoq and Seat Ateca compact SUVs were “most likely” to be built in the new plant but stressed that it hadn’t been decided. He said the plant will have a capacity of 350,000 with the possibility of doubling the number if demand increases.

    VW Group will decide on which cars to build in the plant at the next group production planning meeting in November, Oeljeklaus said. The factory will start producing cars by the beginning of 2023, he said.

    Passat production

    After the decision on the new plant's location, VW Group will allocate production sites for a number of new cars, including the next Superb and VW Passat midsize models due in 2023. 

    VW has said it will move Passat production from its factory in Emden, Germany, to make way for EV production there. The automaker is considering building the Passat alongside the Superb at Kvasiny, but Oeljeklaus said the allocation wasn’t yet determined and a decision will be made in November.

    Skoda will develop the next Passat and Superb, Oeljeklaus said. The two cars share underpinnings.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Russians reluctantly embrace Chinese cars after Western brands depart
    Recommended for You
    Moskvich car 2022
    Russians reluctantly embrace Chinese cars after Western brands depart
    Dacia Sandero with new front grille 2023
    Dacia, MG gain from French demand for low-cost cars
    Smart #1 11.jpg
    Smart dealers optimistic about switch to agency direct-sales model
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us