Carbon82 Moderator November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 VW Singapore plots Skoda comeback Volkswagen-owned Czech brand Skoda is making a comeback, yet again. But this time, it is parent group Volkswagen which will do its own importing and retailing here. Volkswagen Group Singapore - the manufacturer-owned importer and retailer of Volkswagen vehicles here - has registered a new company for this purpose. According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, Skoda Centre Singapore was registered last month and will be operating out of 247 Alexandra Road, which is the same address as the VW showroom. The Straits Times understands renovations are being carried out at the facility and that Skoda Centre Singapore will start operations in the first quarter of next year. Volkswagen Group Singapore was not available for comment, but it is understood that a meaningful price differential will be in place to re-launch the Czech brand here. Previously, Skoda cars - which are based on Volkswagens - were the same price or even costlier than equivalent VW models. In other markets, Skodas are cheaper. The brand was last represented by Harvest Automobiles, part of businessman Peter Kwee's now dormant motor group of companies. Harvest Automobiles went bust in 2013 - the third Skoda agency to have failed in Singapore. The Straits Times understands Vertex Automobiles, the dealer for Chinese automobile brand Chery that is owned by egg trader Lian Fong, had made a pitch for the Skoda franchise. But it has since landed Seat, a Spanish brand also owned by Volkswagen Group. Skoda had also been courting Trans Eurokars, a multi-franchise group owned by businessman Karsono Kwee. Among its brands are Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Mini and Mazda. The best year for the Skoda brand here was 2010, when it sold 105 cars. That is less than 4 per cent of Volkswagen sales last year. Will the brand have better success under Volkswagen? Nanyang Business School's Adjunct Associate Professor Zafar Momin, previously an automotive expert with the Boston Consulting Group, said: "Skoda may be able to make a comeback in Singapore if priced and promoted properly. It needs to be very competitive with its Korean competitors in terms of pricing, as it could provide solid, competitive products targeted at value segments of the markets. "With VW Singapore now doing it themselves, it has a better chance than before. Having said that, I wonder what "comeback" really means in a small crowded Singapore car market which has small volumes for many non-mainstream brands. Would it really be worth the effort and to what extent would it cannibalise VW products?" When contacted back in 2014 - when Harvest Automobiles relinquished the business - Volkswagen Group Singapore said it had no plans to take over the Skoda retail business here. It has, however, taken over the maintenance and warranty of Skodas here. There are about 400 Skoda cars in Singapore today. As a onwer of both Skoda and VW model, I can attest that Skoda is indeed better, in almost every aspect, than VW. I can wait to welcome it back to Singapore!! Here are some interesting models in current Skoda lineup, that I hope can be made available to local motorist when sales start next year. Superb Superb Combi Kodiaq ↡ Advertisement 25 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbian78 6th Gear November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 I want an Octavia vrs. If skoda had a decent AD here 3 years ago I would have bought one. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon82 Moderator November 11, 2017 Author Share November 11, 2017 Octavia RS245 Octavia Combi RS245 Karoq 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon82 Moderator November 11, 2017 Author Share November 11, 2017 Fabia Fabia Combi Citigo 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enye Hypersonic November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 how is skoda better in almost every aspect compared to vw? wouldn’t they be similar since models are basically based on group parts sharing？ 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoldjaffa Hypersonic November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 Skoda Octavia RS245 looks sweet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Othello Supersonic November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 Fabia Combi for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoldjaffa Hypersonic November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 Fabia Combi for me True. The Labia looks good too 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueray Hypersonic November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 True. The Labia looks good too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoldjaffa Hypersonic November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 I see what you saw there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Othello Supersonic November 11, 2017 Share November 11, 2017 True. The Labia looks good too 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny86 4th Gear November 12, 2017 Share November 12, 2017 Fabian still as sexy as ever. If only there's a size in between Fabia and the combi (boot size around 400L) confirm trading in my car Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benarsenal Turbocharged November 12, 2017 Share November 12, 2017 Fabian still as sexy as ever. If only there's a size in between Fabia and the combi (boot size around 400L) confirm trading in my car There is the Rapid. Good to know they getting a proper dealer this time. Not like the jokers running the Spanish sibling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdf4786k Twincharged November 12, 2017 Share November 12, 2017 The superb 2.0T with the 290BHP unit and 4wd IF price under a 1.8T passat would be a good volume seller 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdf4786k Twincharged November 12, 2017 Share November 12, 2017 (edited) interesting cheap shot at BMW https://youtu.be/4tf8HN4mOME vrs https://youtu.be/ZMRyzAxg4KM Edited November 12, 2017 by Sdf4786k Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdash Supersonic November 12, 2017 Share November 12, 2017 Kodiaq looks good! 7-seater SUV... if price is reasonable, can consider! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xefera 6th Gear November 12, 2017 Share November 12, 2017 Kodiaq looks good! 7-seater SUV... if price is reasonable, can consider! 2.0 diesel variant is already available on sgcarmart via PI 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon82 Moderator November 13, 2017 Author Share November 13, 2017 how is skoda better in almost every aspect compared to vw? wouldn’t they be similar since models are basically based on group parts sharing？ ↡ Advertisement 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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