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1. What was the key weakness that Skoda was able to identify?
The SWOT analysis was used by Skoda to identify its weaknesses. One of the greatest weakness
identified, which affect the success of the company is its small market share. Skoda only holds 1.7 percent
market share. Because of this, Skoda remains a small player in the car manufacturing market. Through
the SWOT analysis, management was able to identify this weakness and also the causes of this weakness.
Skoda’s small market share, is attributed to negative perceptions of the consumers of the brand. Skoda’s
In the past, Eastern European cars had the image of poor vehicle quality, design, assembly and materials.
Because of this consumers do not purchase Skoda manufactured cars. This poor image also affects SKoda
owners. Because of the negative perceptions of the general public of Skoda cars, owners lose their trust of
the product. In addition, car ownership is look upon as something that creates an image of the owner. Car
Under Volkswagen AG, the Skoda brand was improved. The goal was to create a new brand image
However, it has been found that Skoda still had a weal and neutral image in the mid-market range it
The persisting weakness of Skoda is unfavorable brand image and poor perceptions of the cars. Consumers
still does not regard Skoda as quality cars. The company needs to formulate marketing strategies that will
focus on the good qualities of the cars and create a good brand image.
2. What strength did Skoda use to turn its brand weakness into an opportunity?
The strengths of Skoda were identified and assessed by conducting a SWOT analysis. The company
conducted a research involving consumers in order to find out the strengths of its products and brand.
Surveys were also used. The strength of the company and its products lie in its focus on experience rather
than on sales. Meaning, the company makes sure that there is “human touch” in the production and
manufacture of its cars and make sure that the consumers feel it. Because of this strength, Skoda was listed
as one of the top five manufacturers by JD Power. Skoda was also awarded by Top Gear in 2007, as the
number 1 car maker. The results of these surveys seem to testify, that the strength of Skoda is its focus on
experience. Skoda focuses on its customers rather than on profits. Skoda knows that 98 percent of
its drivers would recommend Skoda to a friend. This strength is being used by Skoda to guide its
By using Skoda’s strength as a guide for its future strategies, the company has determined its main
objective which is building cars that their owners would enjoy. The strength of the company is being used to
set the company and its products from its competitors. The focus of Skoda is not on maximizing sales, like
most of its competitors but on satisfying the customers. Customer satisfaction, therefore became Skoda’s
biggest strength.
From the SWOT analysis, Skoda identified its strength, which also paved the way for an opportunity
to differentiate the company and its products from the competitors. Skoda focused on its existing strengths
and provided cars focused on customer experience. The focus on ‘happy Skoda customers’ is an
opportunity. It enables Skoda to differentiate the Skoda brand. And this sprang up from the company’s
strength.
Through the SWOT analysis, the company was able to identify the external threats that may affect
the company’s standing in the market and success. One of the biggest threats to Skoda is intense
competition in the European car manufacturing market, particularly in the United Kingdom. There more or
less 50 car manufacturers and more or less 200 car models comprising the UK car market. This is a big
threat because in an intensely competitive environment, a company like Skoda runs the risk of being
overlooked by the consumers which will eventually result to loss of market share. In order to address this
threat, the company needed to come up with strategies that will make it standout in the market. The
company believed that in order to not be overlooked by consumers, it needed to create a product range that
will appeal to different segments. So the company introduced Skoda Fabia (basic but quality car); Skoda
Superb (for the up-market consumers, luxurious); and Skoda Octavia Estate (for the family, fun drive).
The prices of these products coincide with the different market segments that the company wanted to
attract.
Another threat is the European Union’s legal and environmental regulations. This poses as a threat
because it can affect the company’s position in the market place and sanctions imposed by the EU can
affect the performance and reputation of Skoda. In order to address this threat, the company designed
products that are environmentally friendly at every stage of their lifecycle. This was accomplished by (1)
recycling as much as possible, (2) using the latest, most environmentally friendly manufacturing
technologies and facilities available, (3) designing processes to cut fuel consumption and emissions in petrol
and diesel engines, and (4) using technology to design cars with lower noise levels and improved sound
quality.
4. What in your view are the important benefits of using a SWOT analysis?
It is clear from the case study, the SWOT analysis have been helpful in creating and formulating
strategies for the company. The company relied on SWOT analysis in getting a clear picture of where the
company is now and where the company wants to go. The SWOT analysis, provided information about the
strengths of the company, which they can use to build a strategic advantage over and a point of difference
from its competitors. The SWOT analysis was also used to determine the weaknesses of the company. By
having a complete understanding of its weaknesses, Skoda was able to focus on its strengths and to grasp
the opportunities that its strengths bring. By using different tools and strategies (e.g. consumer surveys,
market research) in conducting a SWOT analysis, the company was able to understand its consumers better
and to identify their perceptions of the company and its products. SWOT analysis aided in the clear
understanding of the company’s external environment, particularly the opportunities and threats that the
company are facing. Analyzing the external opportunities and threats allows Skoda UK to pinpoint how it