Skoda Octavia to get a successor by 2011

Skoda India, a part of Volkswagen group is reportedly developing a car that would replace the company's premium Skoda Octavia and will be placed in the C segment. Thomas Kuehl, Director, Sales and Marketing Skoda Auto India stated that the company engineers are developing the car which will come to India by second half of the year 2011.

Apart from the successor of Skoda Octavia, the company will roll out the highly anticipated Skoda Yeti in the coming four weeks. The SUV was displayed at the Auto Expo in Delhi earlier this year. The model has already registered more than 1000 bookings for itself.

See More Skoda Octavia Pictures                                                                    Read More on Skoda Octavia

When inquired about the price of the SUV, Director, Thomas Kuehl said that they would reveal the price once the car is launched. He added saying that the company would be launching two versions with two litre engines. He gave all these details on the occasion of launch of Skoda Fabia, its popular hatch, in Tamil Nadu. The new Skoda Fabia which is a revamped version of the older Fabia comes priced at Rs. 4.32 lakh. The hatch has been positioned in the B segment. Skoda Superb on the other hand which is a luxury sedan has been placed in the D segment and Skoda Laura in the C segment. Skoda Fabia has a 31 per cent, Skoda Laura, 19 per cent, Skoda Superb, 30 per cent market share in their respective segments.

See More Skoda Octavia Pictures                                                                 Read More on Skoda Octavia

The hatch Skoda Fabia which currently has a 40 percent localisation would have a 70 percent localisation in the next year and would go upto 100 per cent in the next three years.

The company’s manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune is currently running in a single shift but the same would go into three shifts which would help in achieving 100 per cent localisation, the director said.

News is that Skoda is also developing a small car which as put by Kuehl will have a strong engine or powertrain. The car would be manufactured with collaboration with Maruti Suzuki.There has not been any official confirmation on the same, however senior officials from the company have neither declined on such a propability. The car would indeed club the best mixes of Volkswagen, Skoda and the industry leader Maruti Suzuki India.

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