Skoda’s new model plans unveiled; Four new cars by 2012

Four new cars coming from Skoda - Yeti, new Fabia, Joyster and Felicia

Skoda is getting ready to attack the Indian market as it lines up a slew of launches in the next two years. First up will be the crossover SUV Yeti followed by a stripped down version of the Fabia, both of which will debut before the end of 2010. The replacement for the Octavia will come in the form of Skoda’s version of the Vento in 2011. As you would expect, Skoda’s version will undercut its sister Vento by quite a margin and will retail for approximately Rs 6-10 lakhs. Skoda’s final model in the current plan is a small hatchback priced between Rs 3-5 lakhs thereby taking it into the core of the automobile segment in India. This will come in 2012 and could be Skoda’s version of VW Up!/Lupo small car.

Skoda Fabia sedan – The Felicia rendered Aug 2010

Skoda’s Joyster based on VW Up! rendered Aug 2010

2012 Skoda Yeti Details Jun 2010

Skoda Yeti coming end-2010; To be priced between Rs 13-14 lakh Apr 2010

BS-4 casualties – Fabia, Octavia, Tavera, 800 and more cars shown the way out of metros Mar 2010

Hit the jump for more details on Skoda’s new products.

SkodaAuto India Board Member and Director (Sales and Marketing) Thomas Kuehl said

“We had announced to roll out one new model every year. As part of this strategy, we will enter the volume segment and will launch a small car in early 2012,”. “It will be below the Fabia… Our aim is to price in the Rs 3-5 lakh category.”

He added that the development of the small car was underway and that the model will come with both petrol and diesel engines. It will be positioned below the Fabia and cost Rs 3-5lakhs. However, Skoda is undecided if they will produce the small car from their current facility or go in for a new one. Skoda’s current capacity is 44,000 units per annum at Aurangabad. With the launch of the small car, Skoda are expecting sales to triple once it arrives in 2012. Skoda are also studying the possibility of exporting the car from India taking advantage of India’s strength in manufacturing small cars.

Also coming in the next few months is Skoda’s crossover SUV, the Yeti. Yeti is assembled from CKD kits in India and Kuehl has revealed that the price would be competitive. Skoda discontinued the petrol version of the Fabia as BS-4 norms came into force. A facelifted version of the Fabia with new engines will be launched by Diwali.

[ET]