Thirty-five years ago, few could have predicted that the Czech manufacturer Škoda would play such a pivotal role in supporting the Volkswagen Group. Yet this has proven to be the case. Today, as several brands within the group face headwinds, Škoda is delivering consistent growth and helping to maintain the group's overall positive performance.
The partnership began on December 9, 1990, when the decision to bring Škoda into the Volkswagen Group was approved. The deal was finalized in 1991. What was initially conceived as one strategy developed into another — Škoda established itself as a brand delivering quality vehicles at competitive prices for value-conscious customers.
Electric Vehicles Are Not a Panacea
While the company actively promotes its electric models such as the Enyaq and the new Elroq, it is the conventional models — particularly the Octavia — that continue to drive the majority of sales. Electric vehicles currently account for just 5–6% of total sales. Enyaq sales rose to approximately 42,000 units from 33,000 the previous year, but this still represents a relatively small volume in Europe.
The Elroq added nearly 49,000 units, yet has not dramatically shifted the overall sales mix. Customers continue to prefer gasoline and diesel powertrains, which remains understandable given pricing considerations and the ongoing development of charging infrastructure in many countries.
Octavia and Core Models Fuel Performance
Over the first three quarters, Škoda sold 765,700 vehicles — a 14% increase year-over-year. This strong result was crucial for the group. Without Škoda's contribution, Volkswagen Group sales would have declined. The Czech brand's additional 94,000 vehicles enabled the group to achieve overall growth of 1.2%, reaching 6.6 million units sold.
Not All Brands Are Advancing
In contrast to Škoda's gains, other Volkswagen Group brands showed mixed results. Audi posted a decline of nearly 5%, Porsche 6%, with Bentley and Lamborghini also seeing reductions. Seat and Cupra recorded modest growth of around 4%. The pattern is evident: Škoda is providing essential support while some of its premium counterparts face challenges.
Regional Performance Variations
The largest sales declines for the group were recorded in North America (–7.8%) and China (–4%). Electric vehicle sales across the VW Group increased 42%, although they still represent only about 11% of total deliveries. Development and marketing costs for EVs continue to outpace sales growth, presenting an ongoing challenge for the group.
Škoda: A Significant Force Within VW
Symbolically, 35 years after joining the Volkswagen Group, Škoda has evolved into a reliable cornerstone of stability for the entire organization. The brand focuses on delivering practical, well-engineered vehicles at accessible prices rather than pursuing supercars or dramatic marketing campaigns. This focused approach has proven highly effective.
In a complex industry, consistent delivery of value often provides the most enduring contribution to a large conglomerate's success.
