Simon Schories, brand manager at Skoda Luxembourg believes that the future of mobility lies in electro cars.  Photo: Lisa Christl/Maison Moderne

Simon Schories, brand manager at Skoda Luxembourg believes that the future of mobility lies in electro cars.  Photo: Lisa Christl/Maison Moderne

Škoda Luxembourg is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the grand duchy. Brand Manager Simon Schories spoke to Delano about the development of the Czech car manufacturer in Luxembourg and the future of mobility. 

When you look back on the last 30 years, what are the biggest achievements that you can record here in Luxembourg?

Simon Schories: Over this period of 30 years, we have made an incredible development. We started with one dealer in Luxembourg, Garage Tewes in 1992, and since then there have been more and more. We have made the biggest push in the last decade, because the product portfolio has changed completely. The quality of the products has developed in particular and also the image of the brand. The dealer network has done a lot to bring Škoda forward in Luxembourg. In 2020, Škoda was second in Luxembourg in terms of private registrations, right after Volkswagen. And the nice thing is, that this success is sustainable and not just a short blip. We are now in a position to be known in the market, to be established, and thus hope to be in the future.

How do you position yourself in the market?

Škoda is part of the Volkswagen Group, and we at Škoda benefit from that, especially in the technical area, because we can benefit from the group as a whole. On the Luxembourg market, we have a share of slightly less than 5% today. In the next few years, we would like to sell between 2,500 and 3,000 cars a year, which would correspond to a market share of about 6%.

What is the current demand like, especially regarding the current Ukraine crisis and inflation? Is the behaviour of customers changing?

Yes, so the demand for our products is still very high. The war hasn’t helped, because the availability of product parts, for example chips, has changed. But our bestsellers, like the Octavia, are still selling well. In any case, we are convinced that the all-electric market would have even more potential if we had more products available for production right now. Because if we had even more electric cars available, many more people would choose one today.

I estimate that by the end of the decade, the share of electric vehicles will be 70 to 80%.
Simon Schories

Simon SchoriesBrand ManagerŠkoda Luxembourg

What is the reason for that? Is it because there is a lack of materials, as you indicated? Or is it because, in view of the energy crisis, people are perhaps no longer daring to buy electric cars?

No, this is about availability and not about the energy crisis. To be honest, I don’t see any reluctance to buy an electric car because of the energy crisis. Diesel and petrol are also affected by the energy crisis. , so I don’t believe that this will dampen buying behaviour in the long term, if you look at five years. And besides, at the end of the day, the state is still promoting electric mobility. In my opinion, people will gradually change over and demand to drive electric cars.

Miriam Eisenmengen, Losch, Annekatrin Simon, Losch and Simon Schories, brand manager Škoda Luxembourg at Losch and Czech ambassador  Vladimir Bärtl at Skoda Luxembourgs 30th anniversary celebration.  Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne

Miriam Eisenmengen, Losch, Annekatrin Simon, Losch and Simon Schories, brand manager Škoda Luxembourg at Losch and Czech ambassador  Vladimir Bärtl at Skoda Luxembourgs 30th anniversary celebration.  Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne

What trend do you see for the future? Will the tendency be more towards electric cars, or will the classic combustion car win?

Well, I think it depends on where someone lives. I think that will be the decisive point. What does their personal everyday life look like? I think the part of the population living in cities will easily get along very well with electric cars and will also change their routes and driving behaviour. In rural areas, alternative fuels will certainly be considered as a solution.

At the moment, however, the trend is completely towards electromobility. And whether there will be another technological advance in the direction of hydrogen, fuel cells, etc. in ten years’ time, we’ll have to wait and see. But I think this decade clearly belongs to electromobility. So, I estimate that by the end of the decade, the share of electric vehicles will be 70 to 80%.

It is always possible that some technology will make a quantum leap, and then it will suddenly be present much faster than anyone thought. It is important to be open to technology.

Speaking of technology, what is Škoda Luxembourg’s position on digitalisation?

It’s a very big matter. We are doing many projects. For example, our configurator, which can display cars visually. Then, of course, we have all the contact forms digital, you can also arrange a video call or a test drive with us on the internet. Everything is changing. You can already do a lot with us online, but there is still a long way to go.

You mentioned alternative fuels. Will Škoda be moving in this direction?

As things stand today, I can say: hydrogen is not on the agenda. At least not for Škoda Luxembourg. Hydrogen is a very energy-intensive technology and is more likely to be used in heavy-duty transport.

In rural areas, alternative fuels will certainly be considered as a solution.
Simon Schories

Simon SchoriesBrand ManagerŠkoda Luxembourg

Some other topic, Škoda has been sponsoring the Tour de Luxembourg for 17 years. What role does that play for Škoda, is it a more financial question or is it purely about image?

No. If you go back to the origins of Škoda, you quickly realise that Škoda started with bicycles, which is reflected in the roots of the company. We are very lucky that there is a big community in Luxembourg that is passionate about cycling. We also have fantastic cyclists here. Furthermore, we are just happy that Luxembourg is so enthusiastic and that we can do our part. Of course, the image also plays a role. Because one thing is clear: the Škoda Tour de Luxembourg is broadcast live in over 100 countries, and it is fantastic advertising.

Škoda has been sponsoring the Tour de Luxembourg for 17 years.  Photo: Škoda Luxembourg

Škoda has been sponsoring the Tour de Luxembourg for 17 years.  Photo: Škoda Luxembourg

Are you where Škoda should be today?

We didn’t do as well as we had hoped in the new car registration rankings, but our order book is now twice as high as it was last year. However, many customers are currently waiting for their cars because we simply cannot deliver many cars yet due to the current situation. We are working on delivering them as quickly as possible.