Skoda postpones introduction of agency model
Skoda electric cars were originally only to be sold via an agency model from October 2024. This plan has now been postponed
Skoda wanted to test the agency model for electric cars with the Elroq, which is due to be officially presented in 2024. The plan has now been postponed.
(Image: Skoda)
The car trade is facing a far-reaching change. In future, dealers will only act as intermediaries; the actual purchase contract will be concluded between the buyer and the manufacturer under the agency model. This will give the companies more influence over local prices. Skoda wanted to introduce such a model for its electric cars from October 2024. This plan has been postponed to January 2026, reports Automobilwoche.
Skoda is currently alone in the Volkswagen Group with this decision. At the Seat, Audi and VW brands, the agency model – is to be introduced and expanded as planned as of September 9. However, it is uncertain whether this will happen. The agency model means a higher financial risk for the manufacturers and entails costs for warehousing, financing, marketing and logistics, which were previously borne by the dealers. It is also uncertain how customers will react to the fact that there is no longer any scope for discounts locally.
No final rejection
The decision to at least postpone the agency model is probably also due to an interesting personnel matter. Hildegard Wortmann, an Audi HR director, was considered a proponent of this sales model. She has left the company. At the same time, Martin Sander moved from Ford to Volkswagen. He had prevented the introduction of the agency model at Ford. Whether the postponement to January 2026 at Skoda is a final rejection of the "direct sales" model cannot be assessed at present. Volkswagen is presumably taking a multi-track approach to be able to observe acceptance and thus ultimately, the development of sales.
(mfz)