Skoda Australia is in the midst of a new product onslaught, but the Czech brand’s new director is also looking to improve the fortunes of one of its existing vehicles.
Speaking with CarExpert, Skoda Australia’s director Lucie Kuhn said the small Scala hatchback should be doing better in Australia given the ongoing popularity of rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30.
“I think this model has much bigger potential than actually what we are making in volumes right now,” Ms Kuhn said. “But you’re right, [the] Scala is a car that deserves more [in Australia].”
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Overseas models shown
Ms Kuhn is merely weeks into her new role as director for Skoda’s local division, but arrives in Australia with over two decades of experience within the Volkswagen Group, most of these years at Skoda’s global head office and most recently focusing on strengthening the brand’s position within Southern Europe.
Globally, the Skoda brand has classified Australia as a “strengthen and boost” market, with India and Vietnam two other markets outside of Europe being given closer focus as part of the company’s global strategy.
The Skoda Scala recently underwent a mid-life refresh, launching in Australia back in September 2024.
Despite being one of the cheapest new European vehicles – priced from $32,490 drive-away – and boasting segment-busting proportions, it remains a relative bit player in the small passenger VFACTS segment which last year accounted for 70,975 new registrations (up 14.8 per cent).
With 416 units delivered for the entirety of the 2024 calendar year, the Scala’s 0.6 per cent market share pales against the top-selling Toyota Corolla (24,027; 33.9 per cent share) and the also Czech-built Hyundai i30 Hatch (12,682; 17.9 per cent) – note the i30 sales figures also include the i30 Sedan.
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Scala and Kamiq
That’s despite the fact the Scala’s base drive-away pricing undercuts both the Japan-sourced Corolla and Czechia-sourced i30, as well as the Japan-sourced Mazda 3 and the new Mexico-sourced Kia K4.
Measuring 4632mm long and 1793mm wide on a 2649mm wheelbase, the Scala is larger in all three dimensions than a Volkswagen Golf despite riding on a version of the MQB A0 platform that underpins the smaller VW Polo.
Boot space is rated at 467 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1410 litres with them folded. Like the exterior dimensions, the interior stats better that of its German relative, as well as the Corolla, i30 and Mazda 3.
Available engines include an 85kW/200Nm 1.0 TSI three-cylinder turbo-petrol in the base Select, while the flagship Monte Carlo gets a 110kW/250Nm 1.5 TSI four-cylinder turbo-petrol. Both drive the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
It’s basically identical mechanically to the Skoda Kamiq crossover, which outsells the Scala by around 3-to-1 in Australia based on 2024 sales figures. That’s despite the fact the Kamiq is around $1500 dearer spec-for-spec.
Does the Skoda Scala deserve better in Australia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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