Is Volkswagen Skoda a Domestic Brand?
2 Answers
Volkswagen Skoda is not a domestic brand; it is a joint venture brand. It is a subsidiary under the Volkswagen Group and one of the classic brands of Volkswagen. Skoda's headquarters is located in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, and it is one of the four oldest car manufacturers in the world. The brand was founded in 1895. Initially, Skoda was a Czech car brand, but it was later acquired by German Volkswagen. Although Skoda belongs to SAIC Volkswagen, all its intellectual property rights are owned by German Volkswagen. On April 16, 1991, Skoda became a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Initially, Volkswagen acquired 70% of Skoda's shares, and in 2000, it acquired the remaining 30%. After that, Skoda became the fourth-largest brand under Volkswagen, following Volkswagen, Audi, and SEAT. Skoda SKODA established a joint venture with Shanghai Volkswagen in 2005, forming SAIC Skoda. The first model introduced to the Chinese market was the Octavia Mingrui. Skoda's basic product lineup in the Chinese market consists of the Mingrui, Fabia, and Superb, targeting the A0, A, and B-class car markets in China. By 2014, Skoda's sales in the Chinese market had exceeded 1.2 million units, marking China as Skoda's largest market worldwide. Skoda's current models include: Sedans: Fabia, Octavia, Rapid, Rapid Spaceback, Superb; SUVs: Kamiq, Karoq, Kodiaq, Kodiaq GT. Although Skoda is currently a low-end brand, it has had glorious moments in its over 100-year history. In 1924, Skoda produced the luxury model Hispano-Suiza, which was considered the most expensive and luxurious car at the time. The price of its chassis alone was higher than that of an entire Rolls-Royce. The Hispano-Suiza was the preferred vehicle for European nobility at the time.
As a long-time Skoda owner, I know that although Skoda is a Czech brand under the Volkswagen Group, it has been in a joint venture with SAIC Volkswagen in China for many years, with factories located in places like Shanghai or Changchun. Therefore, Skoda cars produced in China are definitely domestically made. Localization isn't just talk—the entire production line and most components are sourced domestically, making the cars affordable and reliable. When I need repairs, parts are cheap and easy to find, and there's no import tariff to worry about. Importantly, the domestic versions meet Chinese safety regulations, ensuring peace of mind while driving, and they offer great value for money, supporting local employment and the economy. Consider a domestically produced Skoda when buying a car—it's absolutely worth every penny.