Skoda agency goes live
13 November 2023
Skoda has gone live with the agency model for electric vehicles in the UK, Auto Retail Agenda has learnt. The move at the start of November follows fellow Volkswagen Group brand Cupra’s agency move in 2021.
One retailer told Auto Retail Agenda described Skoda as Volkswagen Group’s test bed for agency and the plan was to see how it goes before the rest move.
It is reported all VW brands will have a similar renumeration for the agency model of around 6.5%, to avoid cannibalisation within the group.
The UK has moved to agency ahead of other markets. Germany will move to agency in 2024 with the new Elroq SUV. Skoda head of Germany Jan-Hendrik Huelsmann is promising retailers there that financial returns will be similar to those under the franchise system.
Inventory risk and the cost of refinancing for new cars transfers to Skoda under agency, but personnel and buildings costs remain with the retailer.
Huelsmann said Skoda will not expect retailers to maintain the same standards as today. “We will reduce personnel and building standards in the sales department in an effort to reduce pressure on our partners.”
In the UK, Skoda now advises customers that prices for the electric Enyaq range are “Skoda UK’s Manufacturer Direct Price” and retailers now act as agents on behalf of Skoda UK. All other models are listed with Skoda UK’s recommended ‘on-the-road’ prices.
Tags:
Why Subscribe?
As an auto retail executive you need insightful and unique industry intelligence to boost your business potential. Here’s a taste of what Auto Retail Network has to offer:
- Get informed and boost your business potential
- More than 1,200 fellow executives have joined us since launch
- Independent, carefully crafted, unique content relevant to you and your business
- Develop a greater awareness of market trends and opportunities
- Access to a wide range of materials whenever, wherever and however you want it
- Significant discounts on ARN events, reports and other publications
