Skoda previews China-only Kamiq SUV

Skoda has previewed its upcoming Kamiq, a new SUV that's solely for China and due at the Bejing Motor Show this month.

The model, due ahead of a second new SUV, the Kodiaq GT coupé, will make a four-strong SUV line-up for the Czech car maker in China, adding to the existing Kodiaq and Karoq, as Skoda strives to double its sales to 600,000 in that country by 2020. Skoda boss Bernhard Maier said the two new models showed it was “very serious about doubling business in China”.

Maier reiterated that he wants to bring the Kodiaq GT to Europe in the future, but production capacity means it is not yet possible. “I would love to [introduce it in Europe],” he said.

The new small SUV, codenamed Model Q but rumoured to be called the Kamiq, will sit below the Karoq and is described as a 'crossover'. It will rival Chinese models such as the Hyundai ix25, Citroen C3-XR and Nissan Kicks.

Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier has confirmed a new SUV will be revealed in April.

Maier said the introduction of the Kamiq was in reaction to China’s monumental SUV growth. “I think we’ve had the most dynamic development of SUV growth in China - several hundred percent over two years," he added. "Therefore, we’re reinforcing our SUV campaign there.”

The Kamiq will be built on the localised PQ platform, on which the Chinese Rapid is also built. 

Sales and marketing boss Alain Favey said the car would be priced below the Karoq, allowing it to compete with the many Chinese SUV rivals on the market.

“Pricing it below the Karoq means we can get it to a price range for China that we would not have been able to reach in Europe,” he said.

The Kamiq will not be offered with an electrified powertrain, confirmed Maier, no doubt also to keep pricing low for the budget end of the Chinese market. 

Last year, Skoda sold 325,000 cars in China, achieving a huge lead over its second-biggest market, Germany, which sold 173,300 units in the same period. 

Also read: Skoda plots 19-model assault in next two years