The pickup truck frenzy has spread to Skoda as well, and after the introduction of the new Kodiaq earlier this year, the Czechs are reportedly considering the addition of utilitarian vehicles.
Speaking to Motoring during the 2016 Paris Auto Show, the brand’s Sales and Marketing Board Member Werner Eichhorn has confirmed that the automaker has its eyes set on a pickup truck, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will produce it too.
“Right now if we do a new strategy we can dream about it“, Eichhorn said. “Of course we can think about everything, but finally the feasibility and then the profitability check – the question is how far can you expand the brand. Why not in 20 years to be there, but right now we have to be realistic. If we further extend our product range, let’s find out.“
While Europe could be a good starting point for launching a pickup truck that will go up against the Renault Alaskan, North America, which is a large consumer of similar vehicles, could pose a threat for Skoda: “In the US, the local producers are protected and a lot of foreign brands try to go in and mainly fail. We have to analyze what is really possible for a small brand like Skoda, and what it really means to go into another big market“, the company’s official added.
As far as taking such an idea and bringing it to the road, the Volkswagen Amarok could serve as a basis for an upcoming pickup truck, just like the Nissan Navara has lend its expertise in the field to the Renault Alaskan and to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLT as well.
Besides a pickup truck, the Czechs are also considering the launch of a commercial van, but the approach will be exactly the same as in the case of the former: “As I said, right now we are thinking about it, but nothing is decided yet. It’s too early to talk about it. We have to analyze“, Eichhorn said.
Rendering courtesy of TheophilusChin
PHOTO
