From queues for the Felicia to Google stars

Włocławek is a city of around 100,000 inhabitants in central Poland. Since 1995, it has been home to Škoda Wątarski, an authorised Škoda dealer and one of the oldest dealerships in the country. What began with a single Škoda Felicia has grown into a company employing more than 70 people. What does it take to be successful?

22. 1. 2026 Škoda World

From the road, visitors are drawn in by three tall flags bearing the brand’s logo. Today, Škoda Wątarski is a business with dozens of employees, yet at its core it remains a family company. It was among the very first Škoda dealers in Poland and the first in this region. At the time, the dealership operated under the name Anmot P.H.U.

Customers come here from all over Poland, most commonly from within a 100-kilometre radius

“When we started, we had a small shop in the city centre. There was just one Škoda Felicia on display, but thanks to a cleverly placed mirror it looked from the outside as if there were two,” recalls Robert Bergier, Chairman of the Board at Škoda Wątarski, reflecting on the early days in 1995.

Robert Bergier (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Škoda Wątarski)

With a smile, stories from that era are also shared by Robert’s brother-in-law Arkadiusz Bartczak, today Vice-Chairman of the Board: “One day the local police called me. They asked what had happened in front of our shop, because there were apparently around 400 people there. I calmly replied that nothing happened – it was just a queue for the new Felicia.” At that time, the dealership sold up to 700 cars per year. Today, with increased competition and a growing number of showrooms, annual sales are around 350 vehicles. Among the most sought-after models are the Octavia, Superb and Kamiq.

Arkadiusz Bartczak (Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors)

“For many years, the Škoda brand has maintained strong sales results here and has earned lasting trust from loyal customers, both in vehicle sales and aftersales services such as servicing. Our mechanics have been with us since their apprenticeships; some have worked here for as long as 15 years. We are also intensively developing fleet cooperation and provide companies with comprehensive services,” adds Robert Bergier, who in the 1990s was also among the first sellers of new cars in the region.

Škoda cars are lined up in front of the modern building as well as inside it

Today, the Head of Sales is Tomasz Krawczyk. “We now see customers choosing Škoda who previously bought premium brands. They highlight safety features and the Simply Clever solutions and are often positively surprised by the intuitive controls. Entire families come to us – the grandfather, father and grandson have all bought their cars here,” says Krawczyk, who has been with the company for more than 20 years.

Tomasz Krawczyk (Head of Sales)

The dealership’s commitment and service quality have been recognised with several awards from independent customer satisfaction surveys. Polish customers are known for actively seeking discounts and comparing price offers nationwide. For a new vehicle with better conditions, they are willing to travel long distances – including to Włocławek.

With more than 30 years of history, the company has also experienced the transition from the analogue to the digital era. While customers once visited dealerships in person to learn about new models, today all key information is easily accessible online. Buyers often arrive at the showroom already equipped with a configuration code. “Only one or two customers per day now come in just to ask questions and browse in person,” notes Tomasz Krawczyk.

Škoda Wątarski is part of a company that sells vehicles from several brands within the Volkswagen Group

In the digital environment, Škoda Wątarski communicates not only via social media. “Google reviews are also very important to us. New customers often look for a specific salesperson based on these ratings,” Bergier explains, adding: “Our dealership’s customers are often entrepreneurs. The Kodiaq and Superb are particularly successful with them. Poland is a large country, and sales representatives may drive hundreds of kilometres to visit clients, so comfort is highly valued.”

From right: Robert Bergier (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Škoda Wątarski), Tomasz Krawczyk (Head of Sales) and Arkadiusz Bartczak (Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors)