Skoda Australia has confirmed that it will not introduce connected services to its vehicles in the local market in the near future. Instead, customers will continue to rely on smartphone connectivity, despite many rival brands already offering advanced connected features in their cars. The announcement was made during the launch event for the facelifted Skoda Enyaq, where company representatives outlined the current limitations of their offerings.
Connected services enable vehicles to communicate with external devices, providing features such as live GPS navigation, remote start and stop functions, vehicle monitoring, and over-the-air software updates. While these services are typically associated with electric vehicles (EVs), they can enhance the functionality of all types of vehicles.
According to Lucie Kuhn, Director of Skoda Australia, the brand’s current connected services status remains unchanged from previous generations. “Connected services status, I would say, is the same as it was in the previous generation. That means the cars are not connected in the way you know,” she stated. Despite this limitation, Kuhn noted that the vehicles offer a mirror link feature, allowing users to access Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which provides many connected services through smartphones.
The absence of connected services is particularly notable for the latest Skoda models, including the Elroq and Enyaq electric SUVs, as competitors like Tesla and Kia have already integrated these technologies. Many consumers have expressed disappointment, especially since Skoda offers a range of connected features in Europe under the name Skoda Connect. In European markets, owners benefit from a comprehensive suite of services, including enhanced voice control, live traffic updates, and remote vehicle management through the MySkoda app.
The situation is further complicated by the progress made by other brands within the Volkswagen Group. For example, the ID. Buzz electric vehicle became the first Volkswagen model to implement a third-party connected services system in Australia in late 2024. Meanwhile, Cupra has committed to advancing connected services within its local offerings.
Kieran Merrigan, Head of Marketing and Product at Skoda Australia, echoed Kuhn’s sentiments, emphasizing that access to connected services does not necessarily correlate with better vehicle use. “It doesn’t need to be a dealbreaker,” he commented. “We see many Teslas driving around with phones mounted to the windscreen.” He added that while the demand for connected services varies among customers, it tends to be stronger among EV buyers.
Merrigan observed that early adopters of electric vehicles are particularly keen on high-tech features, which may not be as critical for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle drivers. “We have seen it with the early adopters of electric vehicles. They are absolutely interested in high tech,” he explained. “However, transitioning from an ICE vehicle to the Elroq and Enyaq should feel natural, with familiar instrument displays and infotainment systems.”
As Skoda continues to evaluate the introduction of connected services in Australia, the company faces increasing pressure to align with market expectations and technological advancements. The ongoing developments in connected vehicle technology highlight the growing importance of these features in attracting modern consumers, especially in the competitive landscape of electric vehicles.
