With a career in the automotive industry exceeding three decades, the Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Singapore shows no signs of slowing down. Leading the company through a thrilling and transformative period in the automotive industry, he embraces the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead

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SINGAPORE

Dr Kurt Leitner’s appointment as the head of Volkswagen Group Singapore has been a culmination of his extensive career journey. Beginning in 1988 at Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) in Austria, he has held positions across Eastern Europe, Greece, South America, and now finds himself in Singapore, leading Volkswagen Group Singapore, as well as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia and PHS Automotive Malaysia, the distributor of Audi in Malaysia.

With his focus on expanding the Group’s presence in Singapore and the ASEAN region, Dr Leitner is excited about the opportune timing as Singapore gradually embraces e-mobility.

He shares his anticipation for the Group’s promising trajectory in the electric vehicle sector.

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On growth and electrification

“Compared to our strong market share in Europe, there is significant untapped potential for growth in Southeast Asia for Volkswagen, Skoda, and CUPRA. As the Volkswagen Group strengthens its commitment to electrification and intensifies its focus on this region, we are poised to unveil a captivating and expansive range of electric and electrified vehicles that cater to diverse lifestyles and needs,” states Dr Leitner.

Dr Leitner alludes to the ongoing electric vehicle revolution in Europe, where models such as the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, Skoda Enyaq, and CUPRA Born have become popular choices for urban car owners seeking zero emissions transport.

However, this is just the beginning. Recently, Volkswagen unveiled the ID.7, an all-electric sedan boasting an impressive range of up to 700km. In addition, CUPRA made waves with the world premiere of the visually striking Tavascan.

Dr Leitner reveals that Singapore will be the first country in Southeast Asia to receive Volkswagen’s range of electric vehicles, placing it among the pioneering markets outside of Europe, the US, and China in the “second wave” of VW’s EV launches.

Skoda also has electrification plans encompassing a wide array of options, from plug-in hybrids to full EVs. Pre-sales of these new vehicles may commence towards the end of 2023, with deliveries slated for the first quarter of 2024.

Addressing the company’s timing compared to some European competitors in Singapore and the anticipated shift in sales towards EVs, Dr Leitner views electrification as a marathon rather than a sprint. The focus lies in ensuring the right products and adequate support and infrastructure. The tipping point for EV sales proportion is expected around 2025-2026, contingent on market conditions and the development of EV charging infrastructure, an active topic in Singapore.

Regarding the benefits for customers, beyond reduced running costs, Dr Leitner expresses confidence that ICE vehicle owners will appreciate the instant torque and efficient space utilisation characteristic of electric vehicles. EVs enable innovative vehicle designs by eliminating the need for bulky powertrains, transmission tunnels, and fuel tanks, resulting in enhanced roominess all around.

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On selling cars and engaging with the community in times of high COE prices

In Singapore’s automotive retail industry, the skyrocketing COE prices have created a significant impact, earning the reputation of being the “time of the premium”.

Nonetheless, Volkswagen Group Singapore remains undeterred, as their niche models like the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line and Skoda Octavia Combi RS have gained a remarkably loyal following. This is particularly surprising for the Octavia Combi, considering wagons are not commonly favoured in the Singaporean market.

Dr Leitner and his team anticipated the sharp rise in COE prices and planned ahead accordingly. Recently, they introduced Category A COE-friendly versions of popular models like the Volkswagen Golf, T-Cross, Skoda Octavia, and Scala. This strategic move aimed to provide customers with the best value for their money, even during times when ownership and registration taxes heavily influence the retail price of a car.

A prime example of this dedication to value is the Skoda Octavia with its 1.0-litre turbocharged, mild hybrid powertrain. It offers an abundance of standard features like LED Matrix headlights, wireless phone charging, and a comprehensive suite of active safety features, all at an astonishingly competitive price point. Furthermore, it outperforms similarly sized luxury cars from other continental brands in terms of both refinement and fuel efficiency.

The dedication doesn’t stop there. Volkswagen Singapore goes beyond delivering exceptional products and actively engages with the community through initiatives such as past adoption drives in collaboration with Hope for Animals. They have also partnered with the German European School Singapore (GESS) for the annual GESS Volkswagen soccer tournament for youths. Recently, they joined forces with Wildflower Studio, a cat art-jam café known for its charitable work, to bring feline-assisted experiences to NTUC Health Nursing Homes.

Skoda, with its longstanding tradition of supporting sports, continues this commitment in countries where the brand is present. Locally, Skoda is the official automotive partner of the Singapore Cycling Federation and was the official car supplier and partner for the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium last year.

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On customer service and retention

That said, it’s not solely about selling new cars for Dr Leitner. He places equal, if not greater, importance on customer service and retention.

“Balancing costs with a superior standard of service and availability is crucial in Singapore, where the high price of cars necessitates providing customers with the utmost value throughout their vehicle’s lifespan,” he explains. 

“For instance, prior to integrating CUPRA into our lineup, we diligently trained our service advisors to deliver an exceptional CUPRA brand experience. Moreover, well in advance of the announcement, we proactively stocked an ample inventory of parts, ensuring our customers’ needs are promptly met. In the unfortunate event of an accident, we possess the necessary expertise and resources to efficiently repair or replace any component. Our ultimate goal is to offer comprehensive aftersales support and maintenance solutions to all our valued customers throughout their vehicle’s lifespan.”

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Of favourites and must-haves

Throughout his global experiences, Dr Leitner has witnessed the profound passion that communities harbour for cars. Whether it’s the Skoda Octavia, beloved in Austria, or the original Volkswagen Beetle, an icon in South America, he has observed the deep-rooted connection people have with their vehicles.

However, his personal favourite might be less familiar to the masses—the Skoda 130 RS, a water-cooled four-cylinder rally car. Debuted in 1976, it achieved class victory at the esteemed Monte Carlo Rally, a historic event on the World Rally Championship calendar. Notably, this accomplishment took place during the communist era in the Czech Republic, earning the car the endearing nickname “Porsche of the East.” Today, one can find a Skoda 130 RS on display in the Skoda Museum at Mlada Boleslav, while the brand’s sportiest variants continue to honour its rallying triumphs with the Monégasque name.

For Dr Leitner, cars are not the sole focus of his interests. As an avid motorcyclist, he recently acquired a Ducati Scrambler, a brand that falls under the global Volkswagen Group umbrella. While Singapore may not offer ample opportunities to fully unleash the bike’s capabilities, he identifies the Italian Alps, situated just south of Austria, as one of the most spectacular places for motorcycle adventures. The region’s charming towns offer delightful pit stops to savour a cup of espresso macchiato.

Nevertheless, the absence of mountains in Singapore doesn’t deter him. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, he took up cycling as a hobby. Currently, he replaces the winding routes through the Italian Alps with invigorating rides around the island of Singapore.

“I must confess, I’m not the fastest rider. It takes me over seven hours to complete a full loop around the island, covering a distance of approximately 200 kilometres,” he reveals.

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Moving ahead

Dr Leitner believes that the transition to electric vehicles in Singapore will occur sooner than expected, primarily influenced by government incentives, taxes, and the COE cycle. However, he notes that progress is already advancing rapidly, with comprehensive plans underway for upcoming product launches throughout the Southeast Asian region.

“Singapore is poised to be among the first international markets for the upcoming wave of electric vehicles from Volkswagen, Skoda, and CUPRA. We have extensive plans in place to exceed customer expectations and simultaneously captivate a new audience,” he shares.

With a career spanning various positions and regions, Dr Leitner is akin to a seasoned long-distance rider, well-equipped to navigate the challenges ahead. 

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