Skoda to launch eight models in India

13 May 2008

Bangalore: Volkswagen group company Skoda is planning to expand its product portfolio and will introduce a number of new cars in India that will see it entering into new segments such as multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) and the sports utility vehicles (SUV).

Skoda plans to introduce its Roomster multi-utility vehicle by the end 2008 while Fabia Combi, a longer version of the hatchback, and a new Superb sedan built on parent company Volkswagen's B6 platform will be launched by mid 2009. In 2010, the company will launch the Yeti sport utility vehicle.

All in all the former Czech car maker has lined up eight models up for launch in India within the next five years and expects to sell 100,000 cars annually by 2012.

The company is also looking at launching small cars in India to benefit from the lower excise duty regime and enter the market for small cars. The company had till now resisted entering the small car mart and had preferred to continue hawking its sleek and stylish Octavia, Superb and Laura but is now working on an altogether new platform for its proposed small car project, that will be separate from the existing small car platform of parent Volkswagen, say company officials.

Priced in the Rs3 lakh to Rs5 lakh range, Skoda's small car will be launched in India before being offered globally, which almost makes it seem that the car maker is developing the car especially for the Indian market, and will debut within two years.

Skoda officials said India is a key focus market for the company. The company plans to sell 100,000 units by 2012, up from the current figure of 13,000 units.