Skoda to launch 4 models in 2017 to gain higher market share

NEW DELHI: Czech carmaker Skoda has a five model launch plan for India, for the year 2017. Parts of the launch plan are the Octavia RS and Kodiaq SUV, beside the facelift to the bestseller of the brand, Skoda Rapid. Besides these five models, the sporty “Action Models” of the Rapid and Octavia, with the nomenclature “Rapid Monte Carlo” and “Octavia Black Edition”, will also be launched in March 2017. The Czech automaker will also invest about Rs. 100 crore in India to also expand as well as enhance its sales and service dealership networks across the country. The carmaker will also make ABS standard across all its models before the end of 2016. In addition to the expansion of dealerships, there will also be a revamp of the sales outlets and strategies of the Skoda. Going also with the times, an app called “My-Skoda” will also be launched, which will help maintain records of past service details and locate dealerships and service networks. At the service front, extended warranty will also be made available to the buyers of Skoda vehicles. All these have been done to address the feedback that Skoda lacks proper after sales services, despite its excellent, high quality, executive and premium cars line up. The Skoda also hopes that it can expand its market size with the introduction of new models across segments to build a complete portfolio. Still, the market share of the Skoda is only around 0.55 percent with sales of 15,368 units till March 2016. The company has also set a target of 20,000 unit sales next year. The Czech manufacturer has four models competing currently in the Indian market with the Rapid, Octavia, Superb and Yeti. The Skoda Rapid is the top-seller with sales of 10,935 units last year till June 2016, while the Octavia came second with 2552 units. Skoda’s vehicles are manufactured and or assembled at their Aurangabad facility, in Maharashtra.