Skoda Auto India has started production of its Vento-based, entry-level compact sedan, Rapid, at Volkswagen's plant in Chakan, near Pune. The sedan, showcased at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, will be rolled out in India by the end of the year, even before it debuts in Europe and China.
Industry sources said the Czech Republic-based car maker will offer the Rapid at competitive prices — less than the entry-level sedan from Volkswagen’s stable, the Vento, which is priced at Rs 7.18 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
The Rapid will be using the same engines as the Vento. The car will be offered with a choice of diesel and petrol engines. Skoda is one of the 11 brands of the Volkswagen Group.
The Rapid will compete against Nissan's Sunny, Maruti's SX4, Toyota's Etios, Ford's Fiesta Classic, Tata's Indigo Manza and Fiat's Linea. The sedans are sold between Rs 5,00,000 and 7,00,000 (ex-showroom).
“Today is the official start of production for the Indian variant of our new Rapid compact saloon. The car will be introduced in the market shortly. It is an attractive car, with lots of space and room for five persons,” said Winfried Vahland, chairman of the board of management, Skoda Auto a.s.
The commencement of production of the Rapid is in line with the company's 2018 growth strategy, which aims to double sales globally to 1.5 million units. In India, the company hopes to increase the market share to three per cent from one per cent recorded in FY11. It also offers the premium compact car, Fabia, in the demoestic market.
SkodaAuto is working on a small car that would be positioned below the Fabia, which is its entry-level car priced Rs 5.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The new compact hatchback that gets inspiration from the new Volkswagen compact car, Up!, shall be introduced next year in India.