Skoda's semiconductor shortage stops: Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts return

Skoda Australia has announced features removed due to the industry-wide semiconductor chip shortage will return later this year.

Vitally, this includes blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, which will become standard on all Skoda vehicles arriving in Australia from the fourth quarter of 2023.

The technology was removed from the Scala, Octavia, Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq last year – along with select Volkswagen vehicles – to minimise wait times due to a shortage of the necessary components.

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While the safety equipment was deleted from equipment lists, it remained available as a factory-fitted $2500 option for the Scala, Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq, or as part of a bundled luxury package for the Octavia.

Lane-keep assist will also return to all variants of the Karoq midsize SUV as standard, with the safety technology currently bundled in a $5900 package.

Skoda has yet to announce pricing for the updated vehicles, but price rises are likely after costs were adjusted for the affected vehicles to account for the deleted equipment.

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“Pricing for the updated Skoda range will be announced shortly,” said the brand.

An electric tailgate will become standard on the entry-level Kamiq 85TSI Style and flagship Scala 110TSI Signature after being moved to the options list in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Kodiaq large SUV will return to being equipped with standard electric rear door locks and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

A previously standard 12-speaker, 625-watt Canton audio system will again be fitted to the Kodiaq RS, and available as an option for the Style and Sportline variants.

Likewise, the Octavia medium car will be fitted with automatic parking, electric rear door locks, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and driver’s side mirror as standard from later this year.

With the optional premium package, the Octavia RS will feature a 10-speaker, 610-watt Canton audio system.

The base Octavia Style will have a new ‘tech and luxury’ package, bundling all equipment from the two separate packages – but without the head-up display and adaptive dampers currently in the tech option.

A new ‘leather sports’ package for the Karoq 110TSI Style will add black or white leather-appointed upholstery with power-adjustable front seats, driver’s seat memory function, power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, interior ambient lighting and LED cabin lights.

Skoda has confirmed no updates for the Fabia hatchback and Superb large car, already equipped with standard blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts.

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The updated Skoda Scala, Octavia, Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq vehicles will arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2023 (October to December inclusive), with pre-update stock said to be available for immediate delivery in local showrooms.

It follows the announcement of 1000 vehicles arriving in May, marking Skoda Australia’s largest stock intake since mid-2021.

Mid-life updates for the Scala and Kamiq will debut in August, while a facelift for the best-selling Octavia will debut next year. All three are already confirmed for an Australian launch in 2024.

These vehicles will be followed by the next-generation Kodiaq and Superb, with the former due in early 2024 and the latter in late 2024.

Both the Kodiaq and Superb will be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s updated MQB Evo platform, with a close connection to the redesigned Volkswagen Tiguan and Passat, respectively.

As detailed here, the all-electric Enyaq and Enyaq Coupe – siblings to the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 – will arrive next year, with local details to be announced closer to launch.