SkodaAuto today launched a new model of its Fabia brand, with a starting price of Rs 4.19 lakh for the base variant in Maharashtra (ex-showroom). The new Fabia has a changed interior and exterior, with added safety features such as air bags as standard. It will be sold with three engines options - 1.2-litre petrol and diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol.
While the 1.2-litre models will have three variants - Classic (base), Ambiente (mid) and Elegance (top-end), the 1.6-model will only have the top-end version, priced at Rs 5.81 lakh.
The Czech company, part of the Volkswagen group of Germany, is aiming to more than double sales of the Fabia, which has received dismal response so far. Skoda has been able to sell an average of 470 units per month of the Fabia in the first six months of the year, far below the average of its competitors. The Maruti Swift sells more than 10,000 units every month.
Skoda aims to push Fabia volumes to 1,160 units with the new model, with an overall target of selling 14,000 units of the car over 12 months.
Thomas Kuehl, director, sales and marketing, SkodaAuto India, said: “We are targeting a segment share of 7-10 per cent of the market, which stands at 450,000 units per annum.” Apart from the Swift, the Fabia will compete against the Hyundai i20, Maruti Ritz, Volkswagen Polo and Fiat Grande Punto, in addition to several other B-segment hatchbacks.
The company is also gearing to launch the Yeti, a compact sport utility vehicle, in the next four weeks.
