Skoda plans small car for India

Czech auto giant Skoda is stepping on the accelerator and plans five new launches in India, including its global small car that will debut next year. These introductions will see Skoda entering into new segments like multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and the sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Speaking to TOI, Thomas Kuehl, member of the board Skoda Auto India said, “We will launch a compact car in the Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh segment, below our existing small car offering, Fabia. India will be the first global market where the car will be launched.” The new global small car is being built on a completely new platform at the company's headquarters in the Czech Republic. The automobile growth story has prompted many global car manufacturers to make India their launch pad before entering markets like the US and Europe.

The Zen Estilo, Swift, SX4, and Dzire from the Maruti Suzuki stable and Hyundai's i10 have all had their debut in India. Maruti Suzuki's concept A-Star, that will be rolled out by year-end, will also make India debut. Skoda will first bring in MPV offering Roomster, which will be launched by the year-end. “Next year, we will launch the new Laura, Octavia and mostly likely the Fabia Combi. In 2010, we plan to launch an SUV as well,” said Kuehl.

For Skoda, part of the Volkswagen Group, India will be a key focus market. In the next five years it plans to sell 100,000 units, up from the current figure of 13,000 units.

“We expect India to be among the top three global markets for us in the next five years. Out of the 100,000 units we plan to sell, 60% of the volumes will be driven by the small car market,” said Kuehl. Going forward, India will also emerge as Skoda's export hub for the Asean region. “We are looking for more land in Aurangabad to expand our production facilities,” is all Kuehl revealed.

On the pricing front, the company is working towards being more competitive by increasing the localisation content. At present Skoda fleet in India has an average localisation content of 15%. The company is looking to achieve 50% localisation in the next 18 months.

Review : Skoda Fabia

Skoda has introduced its second generation Skoda Fabia in India as a 2008 model. The Skoda Fabia is a 5-door large hatchback which was introduced to the world at the March 2007 Geneva Auto Show. The first generation of Skoda Fabia has sold since 1999 and has been a very successful model with over 15 Lakh of them being sold in Europe and other countries.

The Fabia's anti-lock braking system (ABS) ensures maximum control of the vehicle in emergency braking situations. Its Motor Speed Regulator (MSR) and dual brake assist system ensure utmost safety while driving. The model also features dual front air bags that provide cushioning and reduce the impact in case of collisions. Fabia resembles the Maruti Swift in looks, but it is longer than the Ford Fusion.

The Fabia in India comes in diesel and petrol variants that are borrowed from the Skoda roomster, which is another successful model from Skoda. The 1.4 PD TDI diesel variant comes with an Inline-3 engine that generates 68 bhp. The 1.4 MPI petrol variant has an Inline-4 engine. Both engines are coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. The diesel Fabia gives amazing fuel efficiency, which is close to 14.1 km/litre in the city and 18.5 km/litre on the highway. The Petrol variant is expected to deliver approximately 14.7 km/litre on the highway.

The Skoda Fabia has an instant appeal with its cheeky cuteness. This large hatchback has a sharp design that makes it stand out in its class. The Fabia successfully gives a compact appearance with a tight-fitting roof, projector headlamps that are a blend of aesthetics and functionality, and a big chrome bar with a classy look. The exterior appeal is further complemented by alloy wheels with wide tyres for better road grip. Stepping into the hatch will give an altogether new experience of comfort, innovative technology, and safety features. The interiors have an impressive dual tone design for a lavish feel. Fabia's multi-textured seat fabrics give a touch of class to the interiors. The interior of the hatch is packed with technology that includes a multi-function information display of the current time, outdoor temperature, instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, distance traveled, time driven, and average speed range. Convenience features include a remote keyless entry for one-touch lock and unlock, electronically adjustable and heated outside rear view mirrors, and front and rear power windows. To keep occupants entertained, Fabia adds a CD/MP3 player with large graphic display and auxiliary audio input to use portable audio players.