AutoBeta(AutoBeta.net)03/09 Report--

On March 9, SAIC Skoda's new bright Pro was officially unveiled. As a replacement model, the new car is based on the Volkswagen MQB-EVO platform, the exterior and interior are redesigned, and the wheelbase is also more than the overseas version. It is understood that the new car will be officially launched at the Shanghai Auto Show.

The styling of the new car basically continues the design style of overseas models, but it also makes minor adjustments to the aesthetics of the domestic market. The front face of the new car is modeled with a waterfall grille, and the split headlight group is cancelled and replaced with a sharper polygon design style. The side lines of the bright Pro are relatively smooth, the back-slipping body of the cash has not been abandoned, and the slightly raised duck tail makes the whole body look more athletic.

Bright Pro in the naming compared with the overseas version with a suffix, can be understood as the meaning of upgrade. In terms of body size, the length, width and height of the new car are 4753/1788/1469mm, and the wheelbase is 2730mm. Compared with the overseas version, the overall size is increased, in which the length is increased by 64mm and the wheelbase is increased by 44mm.

The interior of the new car also continues the design style of the overseas version, but the unique two-frame steering wheel of the overseas version is not introduced, but adopts the traditional three-frame style. In addition, the new car is equipped with a 12.1-inch touch LCD central control screen, a 10.3-inch LCD meter, wireless charging and other functions for the first time, and the shift lever is similar to golf and Audi A3.

According to SAIC Volkswagen Skoda's plan, the new Mingrui Pro will eliminate 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, with only 1.4T turbocharged engine, maximum power 110kW, maximum torque 250N.m, matched by a seven-speed double-clutch transmission.

The all-new Skoda Ming Rui made its debut overseas as early as 2019, and launched a hatchback and travel version of the car, providing gasoline, diesel, plug-in and other power configurations for consumers to choose from. Two years later, SAIC Skoda finally launched a new bright sharp, and named it "bright sharp Pro".

According to the data, Skoda sold 1004800 vehicles worldwide in 2020, down 19.1% from the same period last year. Officials say the decline in sales was mainly affected by the epidemic. Among them, China, Skoda's largest single market, sold 173000 vehicles in 2020, down 38.7% from the same period last year, much higher than the market decline.

At present, Skoda brand development in China year after year, its Xin Rui, Komick, Speedway and other model sales remain in the doldrums, in 2020 is a direct official reduction to improve product competitiveness, but there is no significant improvement in sales.

Mingrui, once the main selling model of Skoda, was listed in China in June 2007. With its atmospheric appearance and solid workmanship, it was sought after by consumers soon after it was put on the market and became a popular model in the joint venture car market.

Before 2019, Mingrui launched several replacement models one after another. In terms of sales, it has been relatively successful, reaching a monthly sales peak of 19971 vehicles in 2015, with monthly sales of 12326 even by November 2018.

However, after entering 2019, as Skoda's brand strength in China declined, Ming Rui's sales also fell sharply. Especially after entering 2020, Mingrui's sales have entered a low ebb, with monthly sales of about 3000 vehicles, compared with a cumulative sales of only 26110 vehicles last year.

Therefore, Skoda's launch of a new generation of bright sharp must be of great significance, but the current joint venture compact car market competition is very fierce, the top few on the list are basically occupied by Xuanyi, Lang Yi, Carola and other models. Skoda Mingrui wants to have enough strength to compete with them, without ultra-high performance-to-price ratio, consumers will not pay the bill. As for its final pricing, we will continue to pay attention.

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