Skoda Reveals 2026 Roadmap: New Models, Emissions Drive, and a Continued Blend of Powertrains
By 2026 Skoda, the Czech carmaker, plans to roll out three fresh models that broaden its lineup: a seven-seat sport utility vehicle, a compact crossover, and an affordable city car priced below €25,000, according to CEO Klaus Selmer. The move signals a deliberate effort to appeal to a wide range of customers across Europe and beyond, balancing regional needs with market realities while pursuing growth in diverse segments.
The company intends to invest more than €5 billion in initiatives aimed at cutting vehicle emissions and advancing cleaner mobility. At the same time, Skoda emphasizes continuity in its powertrain strategy, with no immediate plans to remove petrol engines from its portfolio. This dual stance aligns with the goal of delivering practical, dependable vehicles today while making steady progress toward cleaner propulsion technologies in the future.
Selmer noted that Western markets are increasingly transitioning to electric propulsion, yet he highlighted that internal combustion engines still offer reliability and efficiency highly valued by many customers. He described combustion technology as a revenue pillar that will support the broader transformation, enabling Skoda to provide a balanced mix of powertrains during the shift to electrification. The plan also calls for continued development of hybrid systems and incremental efficiency gains across the current engine family.
Among Skoda’s current lineup, the Enyaq stands as the sole fully electric model. Looking ahead, the Vision 7S concept showcases the brand’s future direction, illustrating how practicality can coexist with bold design cues. This concept signals a direction for size, silhouette, and technology across upcoming vehicles, reflecting Skoda’s focus on versatility, everyday usability, and value.
The strategic push comes as Skoda navigates an automotive landscape undergoing rapid change, with tighter emissions targets, evolving consumer preferences, and heightened competition in both established and emerging markets. The multi-pronged product plan aims to offer customers a spectrum of choices—from accessible city mobility to roomy family models—without sacrificing efficiency or performance. By investing in low-emission technologies and scalable architectures, Skoda seeks to sustain profitability while supporting a broader transformation toward a more sustainable fleet.
Overall, the plan signals a careful balance between expanding market presence with new body styles and maintaining diesel and petrol options where they remain practical and popular. As regulatory pressures intensify and consumer expectations shift toward greener solutions, Skoda’s strategy appears to pursue a pragmatic path that preserves core strengths while accelerating progress on reducing emissions.
Requires 7,000 tires in popular sizes
In a collaborative effort focused on public safety and essential services, a joint initiative with the Popular Front aims to strengthen fleets used by the People’s Police and the operational services of the LPR and DPR. The campaign seeks funding to purchase tires for emergency and support vehicles, including ambulances, rescue units, and humanitarian aid transports to challenging regions such as Donbass, along with equipment supporting military needs. Contributions are gathered through a dedicated page created by the organizers, inviting public support to improve the readiness and reliability of critical transport resources.
The project underscores a commitment to ensuring frontline responders and aid providers have dependable equipment, reinforcing the broader societal role of law enforcement, medical, and humanitarian services in times of need. Through coordinated fundraising, the campaign aims to secure essential resources that enable these teams to operate effectively in varied and difficult conditions.
Attribution: Automotive News Europe.