Skoda to launch four models this year

Czech car maker Skoda Auto has lined up four new models for launch this year, including the luxury car Superb and a diesel automatic model of the Octavia in an aggressive attempt to more than double its sales to about 10,000 units.

The company is also entering the pre-owned car business this month. Besides, plans are on to export cars to adjoining countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan, SkodaAuto India general manager (marketing) Bipin Datar told Business Standard.

First off the block would be the Superb at about Rs 23.40 lakh in the middle of May. It car would be powered by a 2.8-litre V6 engine with five-speed automatic transmission delivering 190 brake horse power. The car was scheduled to be launched earlier this month but it has been delayed as it had to meet some homologation requirements.

The Superb is expected to compete with the Mercedes C-Class and E-Class models. Skoda now sells the Octavia in petrol and diesel versions, which are priced between Rs 10.6 to 11.9 lakh. It had launched a premium model Laurin and Klement at Rs 13.48 lakh in mid-March.

The cars are imported into the country in completely knocked down condition and assembled at a new factory in Aurangabad. Skoda had started production at the new facility in February this year. With this, its investments has touched $56 million.

Datar said a new sporty version of the 'Octavia' in early June. "It will be based on the existing model but it will be more sportier. It will be targeted at young buyers," he said.

Skoda would also drive in a diesel automatic variant of the Octavia in the end of July, which Datar said would be the first diesel car in the country with automatic transmission. This would be followed by a 1.8-litre turbo petrol model of the Octavia. The car would deliver 146 bhp as against the existing model which delivers 111 bhp.

Skoda would start a pre-owned car business called Skoda Signature later this month. "This would enable the existing Octavia owners to upgrade to other models like the Laurin and Klement," Datar said. The company would also increase its dealerships to 42 by the end of this year from the existing 35.

"Last calendar year, we sold 4,800 cars. This year, our target is to reach 10,000 cars," Datar said.

He said the company was also working on exporting fully-built cars to nearby countries like Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.