Skoda trademarks model names in US for the first time.

[Madman]

For the first time ever, Skoda has trademarked the names of its individual models in the US.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/05/skoda-trademarks-superb-octavia-yeti-names-u-s/


Does this foreshadow the introduction of Skoda in America?  Let's hope so!

[shp4man]

I would assume the build/design quality of this companies vehicles has improved a bit since they were 3 cylinder 2-strokes that broke down every day or so? 

[12,000 RPM]

Would rather have Seat. Either way this will bomb like Fiat.

[Raza]

Would rather have Seat. Either way this will bomb like Fiat.

Not necessarily. Fiat sells on a cutesiness that fades. Different strategy.

[12,000 RPM]

What would Skoda sell on? Skodas make VWs and Audis look exciting. And since they are low margin cars the whole operation wouldn't be profitable, probably ever.

[MX793]

Only way I see Skoda making any headway in the US is if VW positions it as their "green" brand for all-electric or plug-in hybrid models.  Otherwise, I don't see the point.  Skoda isn't really an entry level brand anymore.  Their models overlap pretty closely with their VW counterparts.

[Madman]

What would Skoda sell on? Skodas make VWs and Audis look exciting. And since they are low margin cars the whole operation wouldn't be profitable, probably ever.

Skoda possesses all the attributes that make for success over here.  For starters, the cars are conservatively styled so as not to scare away notoriously timid American consumers.  Also, the average US consumer still likes their cars big, and Skodas tend to be on the biggish side in their respective size categories.  Then there's the value proposition.  Americans love a good deal and Skoda's pricing strategy is sure to appeal to the sort of purchasers who buy on size and the number of toys in the cabin.  Let's face it, we like our cars big, cheap and loaded to the hilt.  Skoda ticks all those boxes.

Oh, there's one more thing we love.  Reliability.  Admittedly, VW has a spotty reputation in this department over here.  However, Skoda does pretty well in European reliability surveys, so they must be doing something right.  Too bad Volkswagen of America is run by a bunch of complete fuckwits who couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery, never mind launch a new brand into the world's second largest car market.  Idiots.

Bringing Skoda to America makes a lot more sense than forcing the Phaeton onto a disinterested American public.  A car nobody wants and even fewer will buy.

[MX793]

Skoda possesses all the attributes that make for success over here.  For starters, the cars are conservatively styled so as not to scare away notoriously timid American consumers.  Also, the average US consumer still likes their cars big, and Skodas tend to be on the biggish side in their respective size categories.  Then there's the value proposition.  Americans love a good deal and Skoda's pricing strategy is sure to appeal to the sort of purchasers who buy on size and the number of toys in the cabin.  Let's face it, we like our cars big, cheap and loaded to the hilt.  Skoda ticks all those boxes.

Oh, there's one more thing we love.  Reliability.  Admittedly, VW has a spotty reputation in this department over here.  However, Skoda does pretty well in European reliability surveys, so they must be doing something right.  Too bad Volkswagen of America is run by a bunch of complete fuckwits who couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery, never mind launch a new brand into the world's second largest car market.  Idiots.

Bringing Skoda to America makes a lot more sense than forcing the Phaeton onto a disinterested American public.  A car nobody wants and even fewer will buy.

Everything VWAG makes outside of Lambo is conservatively styled.  And Skodas are no longer budget VWs.  Their pricing in Europe overlaps with their VW size class counterparts.  There's not enough price differentiation to properly slot under VW considering VW's pricing is reasonably competitive with the rest of the segment.  And then there's branding.  Skodas haven't been sold here in like 50 years and the brand wasn't exactly beloved when it left.

[CALL_911]

Everything VWAG makes outside of Lambo is conservatively styled.  And Skodas are no longer budget VWs.  Their pricing in Europe overlaps with their VW size class counterparts.  There's not enough price differentiation to properly slot under VW considering VW's pricing is reasonably competitive with the rest of the segment.  And then there's branding.  Skodas haven't been sold here in like 50 years and the brand wasn't exactly beloved when it left.

+1

I'd be shocked if VW brought Skoda over.

[12,000 RPM]

Skoda possesses all the attributes that make for success over here.  For starters, the cars are conservatively styled so as not to scare away notoriously timid American consumers.  Also, the average US consumer still likes their cars big, and Skodas tend to be on the biggish side in their respective size categories.  Then there's the value proposition.  Americans love a good deal and Skoda's pricing strategy is sure to appeal to the sort of purchasers who buy on size and the number of toys in the cabin.  Let's face it, we like our cars big, cheap and loaded to the hilt.  Skoda ticks all those boxes.

There is an abundance of conservatively styled nameplates here. If Skoda wants to gain market share, they have to do like Ford/Hyundai/Kia did and come through with the style. Pricing is not a sure bet either. Skoda is cheap in Europe, but they will have to federalize them to come here. VW's not in the position to eat that kind of cost.

Oh, there's one more thing we love.  Reliability.  Admittedly, VW has a spotty reputation in this department over here.  However, Skoda does pretty well in European reliability surveys, so they must be doing something right.  Too bad Volkswagen of America is run by a bunch of complete fuckwits who couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery, never mind launch a new brand into the world's second largest car market.  Idiots.

VWs are reliable in Europe too. Ownership there has a different mindset that is way more respective of scheduled maintenance. Skodas would be right where VWAG is.

Bringing Skoda to America makes a lot more sense than forcing the Phaeton onto a disinterested American public.  A car nobody wants and even fewer will buy.

I know the prospect of some shitty Euro only brand coming over gives you wood but this is a terrible idea. Skoda brings nothing to the US that isn't already here. You talk about Americans wanting cheap conservatively styled cars.... what are the Jetta/Passat? Like I said if any VWAG brand should come over its SEAT. But VW would do much better to suck it up and just make the CUV lineup dealers and customers have been begging for for years.

[2o6]

Skoda isn't cheap in Europe. Seat/Skoda/VW are the new Pontiac/Oldsmobile of modern times.

[ifcar]

The main advantage I could see would be if VW was too worried about its existing models being tarnished by the diesel scandal and wants to sell under a fresh name. Or maybe they'd be upscale of the U.S.-spec Jetta and Passat, or they'd allow those cars to move back to more upscale positions and leave Skoda as the roomy value models.

Plus, VW doesn't have anything like the Yeti, and it has potentially the right blend of novelty and functionality to bring positive attention to the entire brand.

[12,000 RPM]

A good look at why Skoda wouldn't work here:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/06/skoda-in-america-does-it-make-sense/

[Raza]

A good look at why Skoda wouldn't work here:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/06/skoda-in-america-does-it-make-sense/

Seems like a lot of negative conjecture; it's easy to take the negative side on anything when it comes to cars.  Pessimism is an easy route.

[Raza]

Damn, that's a good looking car.  But certainly one that wouldn't sell here, since we don't buy wagons.

[Madman]

"So, it looks that there's only one solution to the VW's American conundrum — and it's the one they would probably have been the best from the beginning. If Škoda is to enter American market, it will mean the end of the Americanized Volkswagens as we know them. The only path for VW in America is to go up, import the true German models and stop trying to be an American brand. Passat can never beat the Camry in its own game, and should stop trying. The Euro Passat can be a great alternative to Acura or Lexus, with its nicely made interior and state-of-the-art tech. The American Passat needs to die, along with the Jetta. Those who want a German car want it really German, not Americanized."


I couldn't have said it better, myself.

[12,000 RPM]

The Walmart grade Jetta/Passat handily outsell their "real German" predecessors. VW sold 22K Passats in 2011 (the last year of the "real" Passats here) and 117K in 2012 (the first year of the cheapos). They sold 123K MKV Jettas in 2010 and 177K cheapo Jettas the following year. Clearly people buying the Jetta/Passat don't give a crap about "Germanness", otherwise the "real" VWs would be selling like gangbusters.

No, Audi is in the position VW would like to be in. VW is where it should be. VW needs to focus on CUVs if they want to grow their market share in the US.

[cawimmer430]

Damn, that's a good looking car.  But certainly one that wouldn't sell here, since we don't buy wagons.

They look even better in person. I want one.

[giant_mtb]

The Walmart grade Jetta/Passat handily outsell their "real German" predecessors. VW sold 22K Passats in 2011 (the last year of the "real" Passats here) and 117K in 2012 (the first year of the cheapos). They sold 123K MKV Jettas in 2010 and 177K cheapo Jettas the following year. Clearly people buying the Jetta/Passat don't give a crap about "Germanness", otherwise the "real" VWs would be selling like gangbusters.

No, Audi is in the position VW would like to be in. VW is where it should be. VW needs to focus on CUVs if they want to grow their market share in the US.

Their marketing was pretty strong for the new Jettas, too, IIRC.  Holy hell, what a sales difference regardless.

[Madman]

Škoda has just trademarked it's performance oriented VRS sub-brand in the US.

Hot Škodas available here?  Yes, yes, YES!!!   

[12,000 RPM]

Just what the doctor ordered: uglier, costlier Jettas from a brand that means nothing to Americans. Should be a roaring success

[Xer0]

Škoda has just trademarked it's performance oriented VRS sub-brand in the US.

Hot Škodas available here?  Yes, yes, YES!!!   

The only person that this appeals to is you, and you don't even buy new cars.  There is nothing Skoda does that VW can't do. 

[CaminoRacer]

VW is supposed to be the "people's car" anyway. Not luxury

[Vinsanity]

Maybe VW is planning to market American Skoda as their own version of Scion...and we all know how well that worked for Toyota But beyond that, I'm not sure what the point would be...

[Madman]

Just what the doctor ordered: uglier, costlier Jettas from a brand that means nothing to Americans. Should be a roaring success

More expensive?  No.  Using UK pricing information and going by starting MSRP, the Octavia starts at £15,990 and the Jetta starts at £19,155.  So the Octavia starts £3,165 less than the staring price of the Jetta.  And nobody in the UK is buying Jettas, which should tell you something.

And are you REALLY calling this ugly?




If so, I have a link you need to click on.  Assuming you can see it, that is......

https://www.lenscrafters.com/

[Raza]

I don't understand how we bemoan the lack of choice in the market these days and then scoff at anyone who plans to give us some. 

With Saab gone, the car world is bereft of quirk.  Bring on the green calipers, I say! 

Won't happen, most likely, but I would consider a Skoda. 

[12,000 RPM]

This is not a real choice. It's a rebadged Jetta. It's like saying the Chevy Traverse is a "real choice" compared to the Buick Enclave.

Plus we are hardly starved for choice in this segment.... Civic Si, Mazda3 2.5, Jetta GLI (aka this car), Forte SX Turbo, Elantra Sport (now with turbo), GTI, WRX, Focus ST.... not even to mention the non-sport versions of cars that are good out of the box like the base Golf TSI, Focus, Civic, again Mazda3... there is nothing this thing brings to the table besides an unknown brand for car hipsters to taunt and be contrarian with. "Oh my car? It's a Skoda. What? No, not Dakota. Skoooooo-daaaaaaah.  You've probably never heard of it "

More legit unique choices would be stuff like the Citroen C4, VW Polo, etc. and even those are questionable.

[2o6]

The Traverse and Enclave are different tho



I think that Skoda could work here in lieu of VW, not next to it.

[Raza]

This is not a real choice. It's a rebadged Jetta. It's like saying the Chevy Traverse is a "real choice" compared to the Buick Enclave.

Plus we are hardly starved for choice in this segment.... Civic Si, Mazda3 2.5, Jetta GLI (aka this car), Forte SX Turbo, Elantra Sport (now with turbo), GTI, WRX, Focus ST.... not even to mention the non-sport versions of cars that are good out of the box like the base Golf TSI, Focus, Civic, again Mazda3... there is nothing this thing brings to the table besides an unknown brand for car hipsters to taunt and be contrarian with. "Oh my car? It's a Skoda. What? No, not Dakota. Skoooooo-daaaaaaah.  You've probably never heard of it "

More legit unique choices would be stuff like the Citroen C4, VW Polo, etc. and even those are questionable.

But, to be fair, you shit on the thought of Citroen coming to the US too. 

[2o6]

No new brands! Keep America American!