Advancing internationalisation: Škoda Auto launches in Oman, strengthening its presence in the Middle East
In partnership with Premium Motors, Škoda introduces a full range of European-built ICE models alongside the Kushaq imported from India
New state-of-the-art showroom opens in Muscat, offering a fully digital and immersive customer experience
Middle East – Škoda Auto has officially entered the Omani market, marking the next step in its strategic expansion across the Middle East. This move supports the brand's ambition to strengthen its presence outside of its European home market. The launch includes the opening of a fully digital, state-of-the-art showroom in Muscat, developed in partnership with Premium Motors, part of the Alfardan Group. In the coming months, Škoda will be introducing a full range of ICE models, including spacious sedans and a diverse SUV line-up. The SUV portfolio ranges from the compact Kushaq, imported from India and leveraging synergies given the geographical proximity, to the all-new seven-seater flagship Kodiaq, which is also available with all-wheel drive.
Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, comments: 'Entering the Omani market is an important milestone for Škoda. Expanding our footprint in the Middle East strengthens our presence beyond Europe. We are excited about the opportunities this market presents and remain committed to delivering vehicles that not only meet but exceed the expectations of our Omani customers.'
Škoda Auto expands its Middle Eastern presence with Oman launch
Škoda's entry into Oman is a key component in its wider growth strategy for the Middle East. With demand for European automotive brands rising in the region, Škoda is committed to offering high-quality vehicles tailored to local preferences. Expanding into Oman grows the brand's international footprint and supports its long-term ambitions beyond its core European market. Looking ahead, Škoda aims to achieve 10,000 annual deliveries in the Middle East, reinforcing its position as a strong player in the regional automotive market.
Lukas Honzak, Managing Director of Škoda Middle East, commented:
'We are thrilled to bring Škoda to Oman. Our strategic partnership with Premium Motors enables us to bring advanced European automotive technology and exceptional customer service to Omani customers. With freshly refined wide product line-up, fully digitilised showroom and brand-new exclusive service centre facilities, we are confident that Škoda is set to achieve nothing shorts of exceptional success.'
Strategic partnership with Premium Motors and a state-of-the-art showroom in Muscat
Škoda Auto has partnered with Premium Motors, a member of the Alfardan Group, to bring its high-quality, value-for-money vehicles and signature Simply Clever features to Omani customers. Škoda's first Omani showroom in Muscat is a cutting-edge facility designed to offer a fully digital, customer-focused experience. It features an interactive digital configurator and an immersive digital wall display, while a dedicated motorsport corner highlights Škoda's rich racing heritage.
The new location in Muscat will also feature an exclusive Škoda service centre with eight work bays, ensuring comprehensive aftersales support. As part of its long-term commitment to the market, Škoda plans to open three additional showrooms and service centres across Oman by 2029, further strengthening its presence in the region.
The grand launch of Škoda Oman was inaugurated at an exclusive opening event, graced by distinguished dignitaries including His Excellency Mr. Khalfan Bin Said Al Shueili, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Mr. Omar Hussein Alfardan, President of Alfardan Group, Dr. Ma'n Alhamawi, CEO of Alfardan Automotive, and Mr. Hussein Omar Alfardan, CMO of Alfardan Automotive along with Mr. Christian Nehme, General Manager of Premium Motors, Benoit Tiers, CEO of Volkswagen Group Middle East, and Lukas Honzak, Managing Director of Škoda Middle East.
Speaking at the event, Christian Nehme, General Manager of Premium Motors, said: 'We are extremely proud to add Škoda to our growing portfolio of European car brands that Premium Motors represents in Oman. This showroom offers an entirely new level of customer experience. Every aspect of the space is thoughtfully integrated, from digital screens to the seamless coordination between our sales advisors and service team, to create a comfortable experience for our customers and deliver exceptional service. We are excited to bring this unique concept to Oman.'
Škoda introduces a diverse model line-up to meet market needs
Škoda's initial line-up in Oman includes a full range of its European-built ICE sedans and hatchbacks, including the latest performance model, the new Octavia RS. The Czech automaker is also offering a diverse SUV portfolio, from its ICE flagship and seven-seater, the Kodiaq, which is also available with all-wheel drive, to the compact Kushaq, imported from India and leveraging synergies given the geographical proximity. These models are now available, giving Omani customers a wide range of options to suit their driving needs and preferences. As part of its long-term strategy, Škoda also plans to introduce electric vehicles to the Middle East.
Growth opportunities in Oman's thriving automotive market
Oman's economy is poised for growth, driven by diversification efforts and a favourable business environment. With a population of around 4.5 million and approximately 300 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, the country is already the fifth-largest automotive market in the region. Demand is rising for high-quality, technologically advanced, and practical vehicles that offer excellent value for money – making this the ideal time for Škoda to enter the market. With a focus on customer satisfaction and innovation, Škoda aims to capitalise on this growth potential.
For 130 years, Škoda has continuously evolved, combining a strong customer focus with a commitment to quality, safety, and efficiency. By consistently offering something extra, the brand has grown from a regional market leader into a globally competitive automaker. In the Middle East, Škoda seeks to build on this foundation by delivering models tailored to the driving preferences and lifestyles of Omani customers.
Contact
About Škoda Auto
is successfully steering through the new decade with the Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030.
aims to be one of the five best-selling brands in Europe by 2030 with an attractive line-up in the entry-level segments and additional e-models.
effectively leverages existing potential in important growth markets such as India, North Africa, Vietnam and the ASEAN region.
currently offers its customers twelve passenger-car series: the Fabia, Scala, Octavia and Superb as well as the Kamiq, Karoq, Kodiaq, Elroq, Enyaq, Slavia, Kylaq and Kushaq.
delivered over 926,000 vehicles to customers around the world in 2024.
has been a member of the Volkswagen Group for 30 years. The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful vehicle manufacturers in the world.
is part of the Brand Group CORE – the organisational merger of the Volkswagen Group's volume brands – to achieve joint growth and to significantly increase the overall efficiency of the five volume brands
independently manufactures and develops components such as MEB battery systems, engines and transmissions as part of the Volkswagen Group; these components are also used in vehicles of other Group brands.
operates at three sites in the Czech Republic; has additional production capacity in China, Slovakia and India primarily through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine with a local partner.
employs approximately 40,000 people globally and is active in around 100 markets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
13 hours ago
- Arabian Post
NetActuate Expands European Reach with Dublin Infrastructure Hub
NetActuate has unveiled a new point of presence in Dublin, Ireland, marking its tenth operational site in Europe. Situated within Equinix's DB1 Dublin IBX Data Center, this expansion aims to bolster the company's capacity to deliver low-latency, high-performance connectivity across the continent. The Dublin facility offers direct access to major digital exchange points, including the Equinix Internet Exchange and the Internet Neutral Exchange , facilitating seamless interconnection with prominent cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services' EU-West-1 region. This strategic move is designed to meet the escalating demand for edge computing and artificial intelligence workloads, providing customers with enhanced service availability and geographic reach throughout Europe. Dublin's status as a critical European hub for business and technology is underscored by its robust infrastructure, pro-business policies, and a skilled workforce. The city offers strategic access to transatlantic and pan-European fiber routes, making it an attractive location for global cloud and network providers seeking low-latency access across Europe. Notably, seven of the world's top ten technology companies and nine of the top ten software firms have major operational bases in Ireland. ADVERTISEMENT The new PoP enables NetActuate customers to expand their service availability and geographic reach across Europe, providing low-latency performance and seamless interconnection with major cloud providers. The Dublin PoP was rapidly deployed in direct response to growing customer demand, demonstrating NetActuate's commitment to agile infrastructure expansion tailored specifically to customer needs. NetActuate specializes in managing custom and bespoke deployments to regions worldwide based directly on customer requirements. This capability includes delivering network connectivity, compute resources, cloud services, high-capacity storage, AI infrastructure, and other advanced services on-demand and as-a-service. The launch of the Dublin PoP exemplifies NetActuate's customer-focused approach, driven and prioritized entirely by client requests and strategic needs. The Dublin site is powered entirely by 100% clean, renewable energy, allowing customers deploying services in Dublin to benefit from reduced environmental impact while enhancing performance and availability for users across Europe. Customers can choose from a range of deployment models—including colocation, bare metal, and hardware-free options using virtual machines, containers, Kubernetes, or hybrid cloud environments. NetActuate also provides a robust portfolio of transit and transport services, including cloud connectivity, extensive BGP anycast support, and edge-optimized solutions designed for speed, scale, and flexibility. NetActuate operates one of the 10 largest IPv4 and IPv6 peered networks globally, helping providers get closer to their end users—no matter where in the world they are. The company's performance BGP anycast platform powers over 25 billion transactions a day, serving as the foundation for its global network.
Gulf Today
14 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Indian airline IndiGo orders 30 Airbus A350 widebody planes
Indian airline IndiGo said on Sunday it had signed an order for 30 more Airbus A350-900s, bringing its shopping list for the widebody aircraft from the European aircraft manufacturer to 60. 'We are placing a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900s,' said Pieter Elbers, the CEO of IndiGo, a company founded in 2006 and already behind the largest contract by volume in the history of civil aviation -- 500 Airbus single-aisle aircraft by 2023. The Indian low-cost carrier, the country's biggest by market share, is positioning itself as a significant player in the long-haul market. 'This strategic move will enable IndiGo to spread its wings further and expand its long-haul international network', the company said in a statement. 'This is yet another step in defining the airline's long-term plans of international expansion'. The A350 planes, with ranges of up to 15,000 kilometres (9,300 miles), will allow it to further expand its network. Overall, IndiGo has placed orders for around 1,000 aircraft from the A320 family, Airbus's most successful model and rival of the Boeing 737 MAX, which has endured multiple setbacks after a series of safety scares. Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which began its annual industry conference in New Delhi on Sunday, said 'the development of India's air connectivity in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal'. Indian domestic air growth is 'running at over 10 percent' per year, Walsh said, ahead of the conference. The growth of its economy has made India and its 1.4 billion people the world's fourth-largest air market -- domestic and international -- with IATA projecting it will become the third biggest within the decade. Last year, India's domestic air passenger traffic reached a 'historic milestone, surpassing 500,000 passengers in a single day', according to India's Ministry of Civil Aviation. Railways remain hugely popular but travelling by trains crisscrossing a country about three-quarters the area of the European Union is often slow and chaotic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is slated to address IATA delegates on Monday, has made the development of the air sector a priority since coming to power in 2014. Separately, the International Air Transport Association said on Sunday it expects the amount of sustainable aviation fuel produced to double in 2025 to reach 2 million tonnes, representing 0.7% of airlines' fuel consumption. Influential industry body IATA has increasingly been warning that airlines will struggle to meet their sustainability goals, and has described the production of SAF - which is more expensive than conventional jet fuel - as disappointingly slow. Agencies
Web Release
2 days ago
- Web Release
Line Investments & Property Heats Up the Season with the UAE's Biggest Summer Shopping Carnival – Your Passport to Prizes!
Line Investments & Property Heats Up the Season with the UAE's Biggest Summer Shopping Carnival – Your Passport to Prizes! Line Investments & Property SP LLC, the shopping mall development and management arm of Lulu International Holdings Ltd, has officially launched the much-anticipated Summer Shopping Carnival, a month-long retail festival set to transform the shopping experience across 12 malls in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra from 30 May to 29 June 2025. The Summer Shopping Carnival is designed to celebrate community, culture, and commerce by offering an immersive retail experience combining exclusive promotions, cultural festivities, and life-changing raffle draws. Shoppers who spend AED 200 or more at any participating outlet can register their receipts and enter a digital raffle draw for the chance to win brand-new Chevrolet Spark EUV presented by Bin Hamoodah Auto, the campaign's title partner. In addition to this, they will receive a Mall Passport with exclusive offers from participating malls. While exploring entertainment and retail options, they can collect five stamps from different malls to enter a draw for all-inclusive travel packages from Nex World Travel and Tourism LLC. Commenting on the initiative, Wajeb Al Khoury, Director of Line Investments & Property, stated: 'The Summer Shopping Carnival is not only a celebration of summer, but a reflection of our commitment to delivering vibrant and rewarding experiences for the communities we serve. By combining global cultural themes, attractive prizes, and family-focused entertainment, we aim to reinforce our position as a leading force in the region's retail landscape.' Each participating mall will feature a distinct cultural theme, providing shoppers with a glimpse into traditions from around the world. Al Wahda Mall, Al Raha Mall, and Mushrif Mall will highlight European festivals, while Al Foah Mall and Al Falah Central Mall will celebrate UAE and GCC heritage. Khalidiyah Mall will present an Egyptian theme, Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre will showcase Chinese traditions, Forsan Central Mall and Barrari Outlet Mall will bring to life Middle Eastern culture, and Mazyad Mall and Al Dhafra Mall will feature a blend of Asian and Middle Eastern experiences. Biju George, General Manager of Line Investments & Property, shared: 'The Summer Shopping Carnival reflects our vision to transform malls into vibrant community destinations. By combining exciting rewards, global cultural themes, and engaging entertainment, we are creating experiences that go beyond traditional shopping. This initiative is about building connections, enriching everyday moments, and offering our visitors more reasons to return — again and again.' Ayman Al Bijawi, Director of Sales & Marketing at Bin Hamoodah Auto, added,'We're proud to partner with Line Investments & Property for this year's Summer Shopping Carnival, an initiative that brings communities together and highlights innovation in customer experience. As part of this campaign, we're showcasing the all-new electric Chevrolet Spark EUV from Bin Hamoodah Auto, a vehicle that represents the future of smart, sustainable mobility. With its zero-emissions performance, modern design, and advanced technology, the Spark EUV reflects our commitment to driving innovation and delivering real value to our customers.' 'Our partnership with Line Investments & Property for the Summer Shopping Carnival reflects a mutual commitment to enriching communities through immersive, value-driven experiences,' said Mohmmed Yahya, Chairman of Nex World Travel and Tourism LLC. 'At Nex World, we create journeys that connect people, cultures, and dreams. This is why this initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver travel experiences that are purposeful, memorable, and globally inspired.' This initiative reflects Line Investments & Property's ongoing mission to innovate across the shopping centre ecosystem through strategic marketing and experiential retail.
