Relatively unscathed by the Volkswagen diesel scandal, the VW Group's profitable Audi brand is charging ahead with big plans for electric cars and autonomous-driving technology. Recently, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told the Ingolstadt-based newspaper Do

[Suarez™]

Skoda introduced the long-awaited Kodiaq SUV on Thursday. It's one of the most important vehicles for the future of the brand. The affordable seven-seater should do well in China's booming car market, as well as in Europe, where low-price three-row SUVs are rare.

The Kodiaq rides on Volkswagen's modular MQB platform which underpins everything from the Audi TT to the Volkswagen Golf. An upcoming Volkswagen seven-seat SUV will also use the platform.
In Europe, the Kodiaq will be powered by a variety of VW Group 1.4- and 2.0-liter gas and diesel four-cylinders with a six-speed manual, or six- or seven-speed DSG. Pricing hasn't been announced, but Autocar reports that the Kodiaq will start at £22,500 ($30,000 USD) in the UK.
Since it offers Volkswagen quality at a lower price, Škoda is quite po[CENSORED]r in Europe, but it hasn't sold a car in the U.S. since the late 1950s. Recently, however, Škoda filed for trademark applications in the U.S. and its CEO has hinted that he'd like to sell cars here.