Skoda banking on new models to reverse sales slide

Skoda expects a sales recovery in Australia over the coming years as new products continue to hit the local market.

After hitting a record 7999 Australian deliveries in 2023, Skoda sales dropped by 37 per cent last year to just over 5000. The trend has continued into 2025 – Skoda sold 1100 vehicles over the first three months of this year, down 29 per cent on the same period in 2024.

However, new director Lucie Kuhn is forecasting an imminent recovery, as new car buyers are drawn to the Czech brand’s fresh model lineup.

Updated versions of the Kamiq and Scala arrived Down Under last year, while the second-generation Kodiaq SUV and facelifted Octavia RS have just landed.

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Skoda banking on new models to reverse sales slide — ***Kodiaq***

Looking ahead, the Octavia is set to gain fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology by the end of the year, and Skoda is gearing up to launch the Elroq electric SUV and facelifted Enyaq, both of which are due to land in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the Kodiaq and next-generation Superb will also arrive either later this year or in the early stages of 2026.

“This year we are slowly recovering,” Ms Kuhn told CarExpert at the launch of the new Kodiaq and Octavia RS.

“Last year… we had a lot of cars in stock caused by the lower total market demand and a lot of pre-facelift and outgoing models to sell out. Simply said, last year was a transformation from the old generation to the new one.

“The process started in March 2024 and is ongoing until today. Right now, we are almost at the end of this process.

“The last two models – Superb and then followed by the new EVs – are arriving. So this year, we will really enjoy the newest portfolio we’ve ever had. It’s all refreshed.”

Skoda Australia is expecting more than just an uptick in sales, instead hoping to surpass the heights of 2023 despite a cooling new car market.

“Probably. If you’re speaking of around 10,000 units – very close to it,” Ms Kuhn said when asked if Skoda expected to push for a new sales record in Australia.

“But for this year, I think that’s not realistic.”

Skoda was ranked 30th for total sales in Australia last year, behind the likes of Porsche, Land Rover, and Volvo.