Skoda, like many automakers, has been battling supply issues due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage, which has resulted in features from a number of its vehicles being temporarily removed.
The automaker says the deletions mean it can produce the cars faster and minimise wait times.
A Skoda Australia spokesperson confirmed its “wider range, dependant on variant and/or package, has also been rationalised in the interests of minimising our current customer wait times”.
The vehicles that have temporarily lost features are the Skoda Scala, Kamiq, Octavia, Superb, and Kodiaq.
Interestingly, the only Skoda vehicle offered locally that doesn’t have any features removed is the Karoq.
The removed features span from active safety technology such as rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring, to features such as adaptive and matrix LED headlights and premium sound systems.
Every Skoda vehicle is different and the removed features are constantly changing.
“Simply, what is coming in and out continues to change and we will return to original specification the moment components are available,” said the Skoda Australia spokesperson.
As compensation for the removed feature(s), the Skoda Australia spokesperson confirmed that all affected cars will “include a credit for the adjusted specification”. They also indicated that a customer can wait for the restored specification.
In terms of retrofitting the missing features, the Skoda Australia spokesperson said that it’s “certainly possible, but far from financially viable”.
Skoda Australia has indicated that it expects to have the removed features return by the 2023 model year change, which is around June 2022.
It’s seen additional information in the past few days suggesting certain features could return earlier than expected, such as the surround view camera on the Kodiaq.
Skoda has also made a new LED headlight system which can’t actively change the headlight beam shape and intensity to avoid dazzling oncoming cars on high-beam available on the Kamiq to substitute the standard adaptive LED units.
“Adjusting spec is scarcely ideal, but customers are informed directly of the situation and presented with the choice to wait longer or accept the car earlier with a credit,” said the Skoda Australia spokesperson.
The following is a current run-down of the Skoda cars missing certain features due to semiconductor shortages.
2022 Skoda Scala
The 2022 Skoda Scala will temporarily not be available with active safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert due to semiconductor shortages.
These safety features are usually standard on the top-of-the-range 110TSI Signature, and available as part of an option package on the 110TSI Ambition and 110TSI Monte Carlo.
The Skoda premium sound system temporarily isn’t available as part of the Travel Pack for the 110TSI Monte Carlo due to the same semiconductor-related issue.
Once supplies of semiconductors and components improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Scala.
2022 Skoda Kamiq
The 2022 Skoda Kamiq currently isn’t available with active safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert due to semiconductor shortages.
These safety features are usually standard on the range-topping 110TSI Signature and available as part of an option package on the 110TSI Monte Carlo.
The 110TSI Signature currently isn’t available with adaptive LED headlights and dynamic front indicators due to the same supply issue.
Skoda Australia has said it’s now fitting a regular LED headlight unit instead, without the adaptive front-light system.
A Skoda premium sound system also isn’t available as part of the Travel Pack for the 110TSI Monte Carlo.
Once supplies of semiconductors improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed the removed features will return to the Kamiq.
2022 Skoda Octavia
The 2022 Skoda Octavia will temporarily not be available with features such as semi-autonomous parking assist and a range of Canton premium sound systems due to semiconductor shortages.
Semi-autonomous parking assist comes as part of the Premium Pack for the Octavia 180TSI RS and Canton premium sound systems feature on the Tech Pack for the Octavia 110TSI Style and the Premium Pack for the Octavia 180TSI RS.
Once supplies of semiconductors and components improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Octavia.
2022 Skoda Superb
The 2022 Skoda Superb 162TSI Style is currently not available with matrix LED headlights and the Superb 206TSI Sportline isn’t available with the 12-speaker Canton premium sound system due to semiconductor shortages.
Interestingly, the Superb 206TSI Sportline is still available with the matrix LED headlights though according to Skoda Australia’s website.
Once supplies of semiconductors improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Superb.
2022 Skoda Kodiaq
As previously reported, the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq will temporarily not be available with active safety features such as a surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert due to semiconductor shortages.
The Kodiaq also won’t be available with the 12-speaker Canton premium sound system and electric child safety locks on the rear doors and windows.
These listed features have been standard on the Kodiaq RS and available as part of option packages on the Style and Sportline trims, and once supplies improve are expected to be again.
A Skoda Australia spokesperson confirmed these specification changes and said the Kodiaq will only be in de-specified form for “a few months”. Affected owners who have a Kodiaq on order are being credited at least $1100, as compensation.
The Skoda Australia spokesperson also said that the surround view camera will be returning to the Kodiaq sooner than expected. This means that fewer unit have been affected.
Once supplies of semiconductors and components improves, Skoda Australia has confirmed these features will return to the Kodiaq.
MORE: Everything Skoda Scala • Skoda Kamiq • Skoda Octavia • Skoda Superb • Skoda Kodiaq
