Skoda Rapid

Skoda Rapid entry level sedan segment in the Rs. 5.5 - 7 lakh price range for Indian car market soon..
Skoda Auto, the Czech carmaker looks at India as a key growth driver in time to come. At a press meet, Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr H.C. Winfried Vahland spoke about investing heavily in emerging nations wherein India, China and Russia would be top priority. He also mentioned that while Europe is responsible for 60% of Skoda sales as of now, this share would fall to 40% by 2018 as other economies start contributing more. This will work in tandem with aiding Skoda attain their global goal of 1.5 million cars by 2018.

In 2011, Skoda looks at selling eight lakh cars globally. In the meantime, Volkswagen aims to be the world's largest automaker in 2018. As such, Skoda's plans to improve, will contribute to VW's set goal. Skoda is hopeful about China and India where they have a longish track record, and will tread carefully in a Brazil, which is a new market for them.

Skoda looks forward to a launch every six months. The Skoda Rapid that went into production at the Chakan facility volumes plant near Pune this Friday will soon launch as an entry level sedan segment in the Rs. 5.5-7 lakh price range in the Indian car market. The plant is used for production of VW and Skoda cars that are manufactured on a common platform, which includes the Polo/Fabia and Vento/Rapid. It is in Aurangabad, at their 'variety plant' that top-end Audi, Volkswagen and Skoda variants are produced.

The Skoda Rapid sedan will be introduced in Europe and China during 2012-13, and shares the Volkswagen (VW) Vento platform, and well bear a lower price in keeping with overall strategy between both auto companies.

Member of the Board of Management (Sales and Marketing), Mr Jurgen Stackmann says the Skoda Rapid is a big step in the automakers quest to building a bigger brand in India. It is the small and compact car segment that Skoda will focus on in India, and the Rapid in the upper compact segment sets them off.

The Skoda sub four meter compact Citigo was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. There is no clarity as and when it may reach the Indian car market. It is the VW's Up that will grace the Indian car market first, and the Skoda Citigo, which will be launched in Europe first could come to India later in 2012. In September 2011, Skoda India registered a growth rate of 12.75%.