If help is not provided, the Croatian car will be doomed to failure. Without a major name respected in the automotive industry and a developed network of sales centers and service networks, the chances of success are minimized.
written by Ivan Prebeg
[email protected]
The recently presented XD Concept, which has already earned the title of the first Croatian car, is once again in the spotlight. The excellent idea of Vjekoslav Majetić and the company Dok-Ing, unfortunately, did not receive a positive response from the relevant production institutions in Croatia.
Obstacles on the Path
Various awards, promises, and photo opportunities with the Croatian novelty have no weight in practice. The top-notch concept, which offers an attractive design along with an acceptable electric drive, does not need false hope or mercy, but concrete assistance from the state. If the relevant institutions cannot secure financial resources for production in Croatia, they must ensure that the Croatian product on four wheels at least receives support in seeking external assistance. Here, we primarily think of offers to renowned global manufacturers like Peugeot, which could ultimately acquire the rights to the XD Concept. If help is not provided, the Croatian car will be doomed to failure for several reasons. If you do not have a major name respected in the automotive industry and do not have a developed network of sales centers and service networks, the chances of success are minimized.
Croatian Chances
Examples from the neighborhood confirm that potential exists
Considering that this year a new Fiat Topolino will be launched from Serbia to the world, and that Slovenians traditionally produce Renault vehicles, it is unclear what the problem is. The excellent geographical position of Croatia, a solid ratio of quality labor, and especially the City of Rijeka, which can serve as a link between the largest manufacturers from the Far East and Western Europe, simply cannot be ignored. If any global manufacturer were to be accommodated and freed from unnecessary bureaucracy and fees, it would be in their serious interest to open a car factory in Croatia. Of course, it should not be emphasized what a factory would do for the economic development of the country, nor should it be stressed that Croatia would finally move from a standstill in the automotive industry.
Hypocritical Politics
Additionally, it must be taken into account that even the largest manufacturers have significant problems transitioning from the concept phase to the serial production phase. The XD Concept is currently in that critical process, and considering the large number of never-realized concepts, optimism cannot be realistic. All the aforementioned problems are compounded by the timing of the launch of the Croatian car. The recession, which has significantly reduced manufacturers’ funds for new projects, will also play an important role in this case.
Namely, if approaching a manufacturer, it should be known that several hundred people are working on their new projects, so the Croatian product must be several times more inventive and advanced to meet all conditions for acquisition. We wish the owner of the first Croatian car success in negotiations with renowned global manufacturers, while false promises from domestic addresses and patting on the back should remain part of the hypocritical politics towards the domestic automotive industry.
